After reading the comments and seeing you ask: should I move? I guess we’re to assume that this is a serious contemplation?
I’m the wrong person to ask since I would like nothing more than to move somewhere new and begin again. My fantasy location is what I call a “living village”, ie with local amenities for dining, drinking, food shopping, worshiping and antique collecting. And a primary school to keep it from becoming a retirement community. And tennis, golf and fitness accessible nearby.
Does such a place exist? I’ve often fantasized about contacting Escape to the Country to find out.
I’m not as brave as you so would have to try it out before committing. I can’t believe there isn’t a tv show where one could trade (for a year) their urban life with a rural dweller.
Does such a place exist? I think I’ve seen it on Midsummer Murders which would be perfect…except for the obvious downside!
My advice: if the boys are game, go for it! But be sure to write about it❤️
Yes! 4 years ago I shuddered at the thought - only to find I love it! Who cares if I can’t always see inside our dark cabin? From My Window is a sea of green forest and sparkling many coloured lake.
Best to you. Your love of cooking and observation skills will create new worlds.
The ability to be friendless was got to me finally in Newhalem WA. I couldn’t stick the culture shock and this was before COVID. We were with the perfect job for one of us and not the other (me). But the constraints of isolation; the lack of any amenities such as a grocery store or pub made it hard.
Absolutely wonderful...(the English say "lie", but you are, of course absolved)...I used to live in the country and can identify so much with what you wrote ...it had charms but they've been replaced by the charm of a certain built up place now...bravo, anyway for laying it down so beautifully...🌾🦋🌹
I take it from your replies in the comments that this is something you’re considering? If the boys are game, go for it! And of course you’ll write all about it.
My fantasy is to relocate to a “living village” with local amenities including but not restricted to drinking and dining, food shopping (butcher, bakery, fresh veg, I’d drive somewhere for staples), worship and antique collecting. And a primary school so it doesn’t become a retirement community. A riverside walk for the dogs would be nice. And tennis, golf and fitness nearby.
You’re braver than I am so I’d have to try it out before committing. I’m amazed that there isn’t a tv show that matches rural and urban dwellers who want to swap homes for a year. I live in Toronto. Any takers who live in a village in Yorkshire? A girl can dream…
The village idea is probably wise. I've known many people (both in N. America and the UK) who move to the middle of nowhere then end up relocating to the local market town or village because the just... want to walk to a cafe or pub! In the UK there are walking paths everywhere so most rural villages are accessible to wild nature. I think you should do it (having said that I also love your 'city cottage' vibe!)
Loving these comments! I sat here in my (impermant) city home in DC thinking about my (beloved, one day to be returned to ) rural home in the English countryside (my REAL home) and thought, that's my life Leah is describing and I want to go back! Ok there is no Mary, no river and no cattle grange (what is this Leah? Is this another version of "fall" when of course it should be autumn? Do you mean cow barn? Living in America now I am constantly confused by "stables" being called "barns" when they are of course STABLES!) to block my view but otherwise it's very accurate, espcially the bit about being treated as a taxi service. Oh to be treated as a taxi service driving around Oxfordshire rather than Chevy Chase!
I hear you! I know if I ever moved to the country I'd kind of love/hate it, but I feel that way about the city too (where ever you go there you are). I also know I'd love/hate having both a country and a city place, if I could afford it which I obviously can't. I do long for the wild more and more. A grange is basically a cattle shed. xx
I was going to say it seems obvious enough: arise and go now to Innisfree. Second thoughts: no, don't go, not to some isolated place. You and the boys will be under-stimulated. A village near some larger town or small city perhaps?
A lovely memory: Twenty and full of wonder, swimming naked in Walden Pond under a paper thin moon. Dreaming of enduring solace, amongst woodland solitude.
Years later: Learning that HDT's cabin of deliberate isolation was but a 20 minute stroll from town (1.5 miles!).
Have you read “I Am An Island”, by Tamsin Calladas? Possibly spelling the name wrong, but it’s the nightmare -fuel, soap-opera, what- not-to-do-when- you- move- to -the country (in this case, I think one of the Hebredian Islands) from London book that you never knew you needed to read. It’s an extreme example, but a great read. Also don’t leave London. Get a cottage in the Sussex downs for a month every autumn and swish around Lewes, but don’t make it permanent.
I mean, that depends. I have zero interest in, say, Nottingham but if we’re talking Peak, West Country, coastal or pretty much anywhere in Wales, I’d say you’re good…
If your writing is a reflection of you Leah then you are coming into your prime of life. Be assured the best is yet to come whether as a hermit or a jet setting, best selling author.
After reading the comments and seeing you ask: should I move? I guess we’re to assume that this is a serious contemplation?
I’m the wrong person to ask since I would like nothing more than to move somewhere new and begin again. My fantasy location is what I call a “living village”, ie with local amenities for dining, drinking, food shopping, worshiping and antique collecting. And a primary school to keep it from becoming a retirement community. And tennis, golf and fitness accessible nearby.
Does such a place exist? I’ve often fantasized about contacting Escape to the Country to find out.
I’m not as brave as you so would have to try it out before committing. I can’t believe there isn’t a tv show where one could trade (for a year) their urban life with a rural dweller.
Does such a place exist? I think I’ve seen it on Midsummer Murders which would be perfect…except for the obvious downside!
My advice: if the boys are game, go for it! But be sure to write about it❤️
Yes, a living village does exist and I'm very lucky to live here! It's in the north east of England, and that's all I'm saying!
I’m sure the location is a secret you want to keep!
Yes! 4 years ago I shuddered at the thought - only to find I love it! Who cares if I can’t always see inside our dark cabin? From My Window is a sea of green forest and sparkling many coloured lake.
Best to you. Your love of cooking and observation skills will create new worlds.
I’m in!
Take me with youuuu!!!
Time share?!
What an utterly fabulous description - I live in the country and I still want a lot of those things on the list…..
don’t do it!
The ability to be friendless was got to me finally in Newhalem WA. I couldn’t stick the culture shock and this was before COVID. We were with the perfect job for one of us and not the other (me). But the constraints of isolation; the lack of any amenities such as a grocery store or pub made it hard.
birds make good friends and I bet you have a bountiful kitchen garden!
Absolutely wonderful...(the English say "lie", but you are, of course absolved)...I used to live in the country and can identify so much with what you wrote ...it had charms but they've been replaced by the charm of a certain built up place now...bravo, anyway for laying it down so beautifully...🌾🦋🌹
my bad! x
I take it from your replies in the comments that this is something you’re considering? If the boys are game, go for it! And of course you’ll write all about it.
My fantasy is to relocate to a “living village” with local amenities including but not restricted to drinking and dining, food shopping (butcher, bakery, fresh veg, I’d drive somewhere for staples), worship and antique collecting. And a primary school so it doesn’t become a retirement community. A riverside walk for the dogs would be nice. And tennis, golf and fitness nearby.
You’re braver than I am so I’d have to try it out before committing. I’m amazed that there isn’t a tv show that matches rural and urban dwellers who want to swap homes for a year. I live in Toronto. Any takers who live in a village in Yorkshire? A girl can dream…
The village idea is probably wise. I've known many people (both in N. America and the UK) who move to the middle of nowhere then end up relocating to the local market town or village because the just... want to walk to a cafe or pub! In the UK there are walking paths everywhere so most rural villages are accessible to wild nature. I think you should do it (having said that I also love your 'city cottage' vibe!)
That is one flexible 18 yo. (But the accuracy of that line had me howling!)
I agree with Vian. It’s a fantasy and country life is not glamorous. Talk to Clover about it.
Loving these comments! I sat here in my (impermant) city home in DC thinking about my (beloved, one day to be returned to ) rural home in the English countryside (my REAL home) and thought, that's my life Leah is describing and I want to go back! Ok there is no Mary, no river and no cattle grange (what is this Leah? Is this another version of "fall" when of course it should be autumn? Do you mean cow barn? Living in America now I am constantly confused by "stables" being called "barns" when they are of course STABLES!) to block my view but otherwise it's very accurate, espcially the bit about being treated as a taxi service. Oh to be treated as a taxi service driving around Oxfordshire rather than Chevy Chase!
I hear you! I know if I ever moved to the country I'd kind of love/hate it, but I feel that way about the city too (where ever you go there you are). I also know I'd love/hate having both a country and a city place, if I could afford it which I obviously can't. I do long for the wild more and more. A grange is basically a cattle shed. xx
Haha, I love how divisive this question is!
I was going to say it seems obvious enough: arise and go now to Innisfree. Second thoughts: no, don't go, not to some isolated place. You and the boys will be under-stimulated. A village near some larger town or small city perhaps?
It seems obvious enough: you should arise and go now to Innisfree.
Ahaha, clearly Innisfree is my destiny! Packing now...
A lovely memory: Twenty and full of wonder, swimming naked in Walden Pond under a paper thin moon. Dreaming of enduring solace, amongst woodland solitude.
Years later: Learning that HDT's cabin of deliberate isolation was but a 20 minute stroll from town (1.5 miles!).
I remember being gobsmacked by that too. These days he'd have fibre optic wifi ffs. The wild isn't what it used to be.
And he apparently dropped in on his mother frequently for a spot of lunch and to pick up the laundry she did for him 🤦🏼
Moral of the story: Being a writer in the country is more fun than being a country mother of sons.
😆
Have you read “I Am An Island”, by Tamsin Calladas? Possibly spelling the name wrong, but it’s the nightmare -fuel, soap-opera, what- not-to-do-when- you- move- to -the country (in this case, I think one of the Hebredian Islands) from London book that you never knew you needed to read. It’s an extreme example, but a great read. Also don’t leave London. Get a cottage in the Sussex downs for a month every autumn and swish around Lewes, but don’t make it permanent.
This is very good advice. I shall order and read! Thanks for the recco.
Do it. Best move I ever made, bar none. London who?
If I regret it you’ll buy me out right???
I mean, that depends. I have zero interest in, say, Nottingham but if we’re talking Peak, West Country, coastal or pretty much anywhere in Wales, I’d say you’re good…
funnily enough I'm thinking Wales!
If your writing is a reflection of you Leah then you are coming into your prime of life. Be assured the best is yet to come whether as a hermit or a jet setting, best selling author.
But should I move or not???
Oh dear Leah, I would not presume. My recent immersion in William Blake would suggest this quote
“If the doors of perception were cleansed everything would appear to man as it is, infinite.”
If there’s a pub it’s still civilised! Curious to know where this this paradise is?