Thanks, but no thanks

We've decided not to go with the people who want to move in on 2nd Jan. It just wasn't going to be feasible to pack and move all our stuff by then and what a totally crapola Xmas we would have had surrounded by boxes and parcel tape! Not to mention the fact that the house has to be professionally cleaned before we go and we have to get a gas safety certificate - how was that supposed to get done when the entire country goes into shut-down mode over the festive period? (By the way, I'm not complaining about shut-down mode cos without it I wouldn't get a ten-day break from the Library. And, while we're on the subject, I think it's outrageous that most shops start trading again on Boxing Day - what is wrong with staying SHUT FOR TWO DAYS for heavens' sake?! If the sales start on the 27th crowds of people will still turn up, just as they do on the 26th. Pity the poor people who have to actually work in the shops. And pity the poor braindead souls who can't think of anything better to do than go shopping on Boxing Day).