Looking for house/car in North West area over Christmas

[CliffRichardSucksEggsinHell]

We are coming back to England over Christmas and normally stay with dh's parents. But last year I just found it too hectic, we got under there feet, we couldn't do what we wanted to do, we had to ask to borrow the car and then we had to get the car back for a certain back. In short we had no freedom and I found it suffocating. This year will be worse as dh's brother is also living with their parents following a split with his wife, and his children will also be around.

So if anyone is going on holiday over Christmas and would like a house-sitter, or if you have a spare car you can lend us for a week or so (we'll pay for our names to be added to the insurance and for petrol, etc) then please CAT me, I'd be very grateful and you could make our Christmas that much more bearable!

I can provide written references from other Mumsnetters as regards our trustworthiness!

Amanda1 - call me if you need to, let me know when you are back online.

Dates of return are: Friday 16th Dec to Thurs 5 Jan. Are looking for a car to hire/rent for about a week or so, just so we can have a bit more freedom really. Space for buggy is all we need! Another thing is, we only have French insurance, so you would need to add our names onto your car insurance (or dh's name at any rate). Your dh, understandably might not want to do this, after all you don't know us from Adam! It'll cost around a tenner to get a name added. We would pay this and some extra for the loan of the car. But again, I understand if your dh has a problem with this, most people would.

Janh - yep, £200 per week is just out of our budget, esp as I've just emailed family telling them that we can't really afford to buy everyone presents this year! It's cost 355 euros to get over here, which isn't much I know, but these costs all mount up and don't want to dip into our savings again.

right Rhuby, DH has got home from work, I will ask him.
Oh, and I haven't told bro that I have offered his house to a stranger on the internet either.

Can just imagine the conversation now!
"Dear, would you mind awfully lending our car to a complete stranger from that awful site I spend most of my day on, and can you put her husband's name on the insurance too?"
"Of course darling! No problem!"

Oh well, I'll just wait for the "no" then shall I?

(off to bed, will check "no" reply tomorrow!)

Shit Rhuby, were you listening in on our conversation? He thinks I am as mad as a hatter and wondered if I had been drunk when I made the offer. He has also asked how I proposed to get the car to you and retrieve it again. And he has just told me his shift pattern - he has about 3 days off in total as Christmas day falls on Sunday, and his shift team have to cover all the bank holidays between them.

I will make no more excuses, and say no more other than I am sorry for raising your hopes and hope some kind and sensible Lancashire lass can help you out.

Rhuby!

didn't know it was you - great name change!

Hi Lilibet! Hi Ginge - just mailed you! Thanks for trying though, I appreciate that!

Anyone got a tent?

I have a freezing cold shed, you could recreate the Nativity with a bit of hay etc.

Oh you are sooooo kind! But somehow I don't think Oldham substitutes Bethlehem! And what am I supposed to 'drop'? Then again I suppose I am a born-again virgin!