Tracking Your Home Whilst Away on Holiday

Wikipedia picture of a doorbell camera.

 We fitted a doorbell camera before going away on holiday. This proved very useful.

When we received a text informing us of an imminent delivery of a large item, we were able to check our phones. This worked even when driving along a motorway overseas! We could check that the (large) item was indeeed delivered, on the doorstep. 

We were then able to ask a neighbour to remove the item from our doorstep.

We could see the neighbour go to collect the item a minute later.

We saw the gardener arrive and cut the front lawn.

We were mightily pleased with ourselves and the system.

Useful Websites For Door Cameras

Amazon

https://www.amazon.co.uk/eufy-Security-Doorbell-Battery-Powered-Detection/

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Two Handy English Language Spelling Rules For Learners and Teachers

When teaching English, you always want to be that mythical teacher who everybody will remember in years to come as the one who transformed their lives. I have the perfect English accent. yet somethimes teaching English to others baffles me.

However, I have two simple rules I can use to amuse.

Sometimesa complicated problem has a simple solution.

Just solving s small problem gives you the courage to set off on the road to solving all the other problems.

My two favourite Engish spelling rules are:
Rule 1

1 i before e except after c
or when sounded like ay as in neighbour and weigh.

I tried turning this around to weigh and neighbour because it is easier to remember wighing your neighbour than your neighbour weighing something. However, the rhythm of the sentence makes it easier to remember the standard version.

Rule 2

How to spell necessary?
Remember a shirt or blouse or dress has one collar and two sleeves.
c ss
necessary

About the Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and phtographer, author and speaker, teacher of languages.

Duplicating Door Keys and leaving nearby

If you are travelling it's a good idea to leave a set of door keys at home with somebody nearby. That way you don't have to carry a second set of door keys with you heavy in your pocket or bag. Nor do you risk losing the set of keys - or leaving it behind in a second home or office desk overseas.

Another reason for leaving a set of keys at home is so that somebody can get into your home in an emergency. For example:

The flat has a water leak which damages two flats below. The owner or tenant is away only for a long weekend. But the building (or porter) cannot turn off water from individual flats from outside, only from the whole block.

The result is a huge insurance claim for completely redecorating two flat below where water has ruined their ceiling and left black mould.

Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker