We have found a home… a gorgeous country cottage in the tiny village of Hulland, about a 20 minute drive from Derby. I got lost trying to find it in the darkness of twilight, but I am glad I persevered down the single hedge lined lane again. Four bedrooms, a perfect new kitchen (with an aga, which I may even attempt to cook on), a large living room and conservatory, all with views over the surrounding muddy fields, sheep and horses.
I wonder how we will cope with the isolation of this rural life – it certainly is different from Annandale. Although the village has a school, 2 pubs, and a general store, I don’t think we can walk to them (unless we find a cross country route, which certainly won’t be stroller friendly). But the historic market town of Ashbourne is less than 10 minutes drive away, with all the modern amenities we need, and I am sure Tesco will home deliver!
We went back yesterday, to see it in daylight, and met the farmer who lives next door and the lady who lives across the road. Apparently it hasn’t snowed at Christmas there in over 10 years, but when it did the road was cut off completely. Better get Tesco Direct to deliver extra food stores soon then.
Hopefully we will move in next week – a busy week, as we need to completely furnish it as well. Ikea, here we come! I now have an eBay UK account with a long watchlist of local furniture.
After our sticky beak at the cottage, we drove on another few miles to Carsington Water, a large lake with a few brave souls sailing in the bitter cold (although sunny, our dashboard informed us it was 5 degrees) There was a Christmas Festival there (pictured), and to Dylan’s delight, an indoor playground filled with children. He was straight into the fray, and by the time we dragged him out over two hours later, he was beaming with joy at the discovery that there actually kids his own age in Derby. I think he was starting to get bored with his family!
Once we are settled my next mission will be to help him make some new friends – although after seeing his confidence at the Zoom Soft Play Centre, I don’t think he’ll have much trouble.
We also bought a car this afternoon - driving through semi-galeforce winds on the M1 to a tiny garage near Leicester, which the owner opened up for us (on a Sunday) after Jason saw his ad for a VW Passat on an auto website. As we got back into our hire car after a windy test drive, Dylan said in his best ocker accent, "it's bloody cold, mum!"
We couldn't really argue with that...
I wonder how we will cope with the isolation of this rural life – it certainly is different from Annandale. Although the village has a school, 2 pubs, and a general store, I don’t think we can walk to them (unless we find a cross country route, which certainly won’t be stroller friendly). But the historic market town of Ashbourne is less than 10 minutes drive away, with all the modern amenities we need, and I am sure Tesco will home deliver!
We went back yesterday, to see it in daylight, and met the farmer who lives next door and the lady who lives across the road. Apparently it hasn’t snowed at Christmas there in over 10 years, but when it did the road was cut off completely. Better get Tesco Direct to deliver extra food stores soon then.
Hopefully we will move in next week – a busy week, as we need to completely furnish it as well. Ikea, here we come! I now have an eBay UK account with a long watchlist of local furniture.
After our sticky beak at the cottage, we drove on another few miles to Carsington Water, a large lake with a few brave souls sailing in the bitter cold (although sunny, our dashboard informed us it was 5 degrees) There was a Christmas Festival there (pictured), and to Dylan’s delight, an indoor playground filled with children. He was straight into the fray, and by the time we dragged him out over two hours later, he was beaming with joy at the discovery that there actually kids his own age in Derby. I think he was starting to get bored with his family!
Once we are settled my next mission will be to help him make some new friends – although after seeing his confidence at the Zoom Soft Play Centre, I don’t think he’ll have much trouble.
We also bought a car this afternoon - driving through semi-galeforce winds on the M1 to a tiny garage near Leicester, which the owner opened up for us (on a Sunday) after Jason saw his ad for a VW Passat on an auto website. As we got back into our hire car after a windy test drive, Dylan said in his best ocker accent, "it's bloody cold, mum!"
We couldn't really argue with that...
2 comments:
Oh what a relief that must be Sarah. Well done to both of you. Enjoying the blog. love Johno!
Hi there,
It looks and sounds like the Howards are right at home. I am very envious. We love the cold!!!
Alxx
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