What to write about?
I had lunch today with neighbour HH. Her sister has returned to Sydney, I think somewhat to HH's relief. They are not at all alike. We chose a new cafe, where we had to drive to, Halcyon Days. It was not cheap but that staff were so nice and the food was good. Within ninety minutes, we had caught up on everything, and sorted out some of the world. I expect our basic political views are different but that is really just a guess.
Phyllis received a very good pass for his English test, 7.5/10. I had no idea how difficult it was. Kosov is going to send me the sample paper test.
I was a bit surprised that the gubbermint has cut my pension by 2/3rds. I felt poverty stricken. Phyllis noticed I had received a letter from the gubbermint and I told him how was now in a state of poverty. I don't know how he so quickly picked it up but, "Andrew, you have too much money and that's why the government has cut your pension". I think I am repaying some money that I shouldn't have been paid after I received my inheritances from Ray and Mother.
Well, if I have enough money, I should spend some and get my pension back. I haven't spent money on a proper holiday since Ray died.
Tuesday I booked the overnight sleeper train from Sydney to Melbourne. I had to book two bunks to get a sleeper cabin on my own, but there was a pensioner discount. I also booked a flight to Sydney and after a taste of business class when Ray I flew to and from England in 2023, via Sri Lanka, I decided I would do so for the single flight to Sydney, and so found a reasonable price with Virgin Australia. The trip will happen in October, for about eleven days. It will be a whole new experience for me to travel alone. I am full of doubts, especially the number of days I am away. Now I need to focus on accommodation.
The two red cushions on the lounge room chairs looked grubby, without zip off covers, and misshapen. I wanted new cushions. As usual, I looked and looked, Myer, Big W, Kmart and Bed, Bath & Table. There was one I liked in Myer, and a possibility in BB&T. The Myer price was ridiculous,and the BB&T price not much better. I saw cushions for $4 in KMart. I looked again at the Myer cushions...yes, I liked them. I showed photos to Phyllis and Kosov, and they liked them.
Yay, on sale, half price. They were still expensive but I wanted them. I tried them on the chairs and they were ok, but then I thought to swap the smaller sofa cushions to the chairs and put the new cushions on the sofa, and they looked perfect. Happy, happy, happy. All done without Ray's advice and the consultation. I think I've made some very good choices on my own, getting the new carpet and the painting done, the new fridge and the new microwave. The holiday remains to be seen.
The lounge room is so old fashioned, but I like it how it is. The two single chairs are up for replacement, one with a broken spring and sagging and the other just sagging. Only visitors sit on the couch.
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Oh yes. Good job, well done on the travel booking. You deserve a little bit of luxury. I used to travel solo a lot when I was working so think I could probably manage a solo holiday now. You'll be fine.
ReplyDeleteNice cushions!
JayCee, by imagining everything that could go wrong, I expect I will be fine. Thanks about the cushions. I don't have a very artistic eye.
DeleteI think you're going to do fine and have a great trip. Newly single people learn to do it and enjoy it. But I hear the bit of anxiety ahead of time.
ReplyDeleteBoud, for all the travel we did over 45 years, we were always anxious, Ray more than myself, but nothing serious ever happened.
DeleteBest to spend instead of leaving the wealth to someone else
ReplyDeleteRoentare, if only we could know our death date in advance.
DeleteYou've done an amazing job with the home decorating. Finding those perfect cushions, especially on sale, is a real win.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if at some point you'll get your full pension back when once the cuts equal the inheritance.
ReplyDeleteI don't know Kirk. I was receiving about 80% of the age pension. I suppose it doesn't matter as long as I have enough money.
DeleteWe are full of doubts traveling until that train leaves the station or the plane ascends. Then all the sudden it is a great adventure and the worries have evaporated. I have memories of sleeper cars on trains crossing America. Early one morning I saw the great horseshoe curve with the other end of my train. On the other side. It was an inspiring site. I know you're going to have a fabulous time and can't wait to read all about it
ReplyDeleteCloudia, how wonderful to travel on the long distance sleeper trains. The trains aren't fast but Amtrak runs some wonderful trains through amazing landscapes. Yes, the money shot is seeing the front of the train from further back. It is harder now without opening windows.
DeleteDo the new cushions have washable covers? I like your couch.
ReplyDeleteThey do indeed, and the smaller cushion covers were washed a couple of weeks ago, for the first time I think.
DeleteIf the chairs broken go get another lounge suite or something, I know you like that one, hanged if I would sit on a broken chair with the spring gone. Good on you for getting a holiday organized and I like your cushions.
ReplyDeleteMargaret, I've looked and found replacements for the chairs. I just have to make the effort and do it.
DeleteAre there no single cabins in the Melbourne-Sydney sleeper train? Being a single person while paying for a double cabin seems unfair.
ReplyDeleteThere are not singles, Hels. If you are a sole traveller, it is quite common to have to pay more to have your own room rather than share with a stranger.
DeleteWell done for organising a holiday - it will be well worth the effort, I'm
ReplyDeletesure.
I often look around my house and think that someone else would probably strip it all out, but it's comfortable and we like it. Some people have new kitchens and bathrooms every five years or so - I couldn't bear the upheaval.
It's the same for me JB. We updated the kitchen a few years ago, then the bathrooms, then the new carpet and painting, and I doubt I will ever do much more like that. The painting/carpet was horrendous, and recently bereaved and on my own, I went ahead with what was already half paid for. I don't know how I did it.
DeleteDon't be afraid of traveling solo. Make plans, move at your own pace, when things don't go as planned, be patient, and smell coffee and roses along the way.
ReplyDeleteOwn pace and smell the coffee works for me, TP. Good advice.
DeleteA trip sounds lovely. I'm not a fan of traveling alone. I've done it but I'm not at all outgoing and I end up not really talking to anyone for the trip. I like talking, and I like quite. I'm a complicated woman:)
ReplyDeletePixie, similar for me. Ray was very outgoing and engaging. Me, not so much, but I do force myself at times.
DeleteI like the cushions. Good on you for booking a train trip and a flight to Sydney. I'm sure you will be fine and enjoy it. Congratulations to Phyllis on the English test. Is it the Ielts test? If so, they are quite tricky... we had to do it for our Residency visa. I just came across one of your comments for the "Lady with camellias" mural, it had gone to spam. The answer is, Viseu is about 300km south of Lisbon or Cascais where my parents live. You might be thinking of Sintra, where there are a few palaces and lots of tiles...
ReplyDeleteSami, yes that is the test. Ok, I am corrected. It must have been Sintra. The road certainly looked similar.
DeleteIt's amazing how satisfying it is to make even a small home improvement like that. Glad you found cushions that make you happy!
ReplyDeleteStevee, the cushions made me happy. Simple things at times...
DeleteBeing a tax accountant in my former life I am totally confused as to how an inheritance affects your pension? Are savings calculated into the assessment. Please enlighten. Canada has no such regs which seem totally unfair to me. But I am so glad you are treating yourself.
ReplyDeleteXO
WWW
WWW, yes, money in the bank is deemed to generate a certain percentage of income, called the deeming rate. Your pension will be adjusted according to your private income. Over $64,000, you are deemed to earn 2.25%. While many are now receiving around bank interest of 4%, with conditions, it is good for those with some decent savings. At times though, bank interest rate was under the deeming rate. Most of my income comes from my superannuation, which is treated as an asset only. I think the government pension fully cuts out if you have a balance there of about $850,000.
DeleteYou will be travelling in style, Andrew. I hope you get accommodations that you like. I like the new cushions.
ReplyDeletePat, the flight will be, I hope, but the train is old, although comfortable. It will be replaced quite soon, but it is unknown if there will be sleeper carriages. Given it's nearly always booked out, there should be.
DeleteYou'll do great alone, Andrew, I imagine and i like those new pillows.
ReplyDeleteI hope so Strayer. Thanks.
DeleteI bought a Samsung A26 without knowing that itt is a bestseller !! quality/price !
ReplyDeleteIngrid, they are priced quite well here, and I guess they are top sellers too.
DeleteGood for you, booking a trip! It'll all be fine. Business class is the only way we go these days. the gubbermint farts around with our old age pension. They give it then that it back.
ReplyDeleteJackie, that seems to be what is happening to me. I did actually think I was receiving too much.
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