Substack diary No.121, Friday, 10th. April 2026

I have known for some time that I need to ‘downsize’ in preparation for moving to a smaller home. In that regard I was pleased to see a few items leave my home yesterday on their way to places where they will be put to good use. I have more furniture and other household items that I must part with, if only I could find someone who could make use of them – a bed, a sideboard, a console table and so on.

My search for a home at a rent that my pensions allow continues. A ‘forever’ home so I absolutely must get it right. I sometimes think that I should be searching for the ideal landlord rather than the ideal home, but how do you do that? In any event, I have failed at both – so far. Incidentally, when I say ‘ideal’ that is just a fiction I tell myself to prevent me from going quietly nuts. What I really mean is ‘adequate’.

Thankfully, my budget allows for two visits a month to the pub, providing an opportunity to get out of the house for a few hours, and to commune with people and enjoy conversation with friends over a beer or three. And I shall be doing that this afternoon. I feel better already!