Thank you for sharing your thoughts! I quite agree about pool maintenance and its cost.

I'd like to become a medical partner, but this won't happen until our new medical centre is built. Then it can accomodate more doctors and Healthcare assistants and nurses, and my boss has already earmarked me to be awarded 'partner'. For the time being I'm happy because my colleagues are so supportive and my surgery room is just lovely, looking out on fields instead of buildings. Oh - and I have an expresso machine to have coffee on tap. We doctors all have our petty foibles.

Fortunately my partner and I are working throughout the day now our builders and building project manager have commenced preparations, such as excavations to build a firm foundation, so mud everywhere. Our kids are being homeschooled with a trusted neighbour and her kids just a few doors away, so they won't suffer noise and dust etc. By the time we finish work, most of the builders will be gone and we'll be reunited with our kids. They are so lovely, and best of all don't complain.

Only when the builders begin cutting door holes in both our properties will we need to move away. In town is a pleasant place for tourists and we'll have rented an apartment during the major building and renos. By then, all our furniture will be covered with tarps, but our Tvs and audio will be packed away as dust would be damaging. Our buildings project manager and architect will keep us updated throughout. Nevertheless, home life will be difficult., but our kids look forward to dining out.

There is a dearth of doctors, but it's not alarming because new doctorsare being trained and we are taking them on. What is alarming is Brexit. We are concerned that vital medicines may be limited in months to come, but that is another topic for a fortnight ahead.

Thank you everyone for your wonderful support.

Rosie