My birthday card from Georgie featured a cartoon of a dog with sunglasses lazing in a little boat as it drifted off across the sea. The caption read:

He knows not where he's going
For the ocean will decide
It's not the destination
But the glory of the ride

Hmm..., I suppose there's an element of truth there. But there again, I find the prospect of an uncertain future far more exciting than one of boring and mundane predictability.

For example, with our barn project I haven't a clue how things are going to work out. I have a plan of course, but costings are beginning to make it look like a dream that won't come true.

When we bought the place, we were informed that there'd be no problem getting a CU (planning permission) to convert the barn. And that the cost of resurfacing the half-kilometre lane would be around 6000 euros (4000 pounds, at that time), of which the local council would probably pay half.

Since then, as documented herein some time ago, the local council has decided that we can only have permission to renovate the small ruined croft. And maybe the barn later. Bit of a blow but at least they granted us permission (they could have refused because the plot's listed as 'agricultural' and so can only be owned by 'agricultural' persons - farmers in other words - and that ain't us). Also, they've said the lane resurfacing has to be far more substantial than originally envisaged and that they wouldn't contribute towards the cost.

Lane resurfacer then reviewed his original estimate of 15000 euros (not the 6000 as originally 'ballparked' by vendor and estate agent!) in light of the council's demands (wider and more solid construction), and came up with a figure of 25000 euros. In the meantime, the pound had dropped quite significantly. So we're now looking at a cost of 20k pounds (can't find pound sign) to re-do the lane, instead of the 2k original guide price. Fun and games, eh? Thanks Gordon Brown; you who called yourself the greatest-ever Chancellor. Pah, hogwash!

So..., that's 20k pounds to do the lane, plus about 50k to do the house. And then there's a 50/50 chance they may say "non" to granting a CU for the barn. And after we've spent 70k, how much will be left to do the barn? Er..., nowt. So it's cloud-cuckoo land. Serious dosh. Great idea but, as I said, it's beginning to look like a dream that won't come true.

However..., as there's been a new mayor, I thought I'd pay him a visit, introduce myself, explain the financial problem and see if he'd grant permission to do the barn rather than the ruined croft. Did this last Monday. No dice. Croft first. Then MAYBE the barn. So it's back to square one.

Ahem..., still haven't decided what we're going to do. But we'll have to decide pretty damned soon because the lane resurfacer wants to get the lane gravel down before the winter rains come. And that could be quite soon. Hang on, it's just started drizzling.

Or..., maybe we'll just sit on it 'til next year. But, by then, the council may have had a change of mind and not re-grant us permission to do the lane and croft. Tricky, huh? Decisions, decisions.

Sod it. The ocean will decide.