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Waving goodbye, saying hello

It’s almost five years to the day, when we first moved in, that the Concrete Farmer came over to greet us in a rather lordly way. We didn’t warm to him then and his determination to pave over every field in sight didn’t do much to endear him to us subsequently. Seeing a removal van on his demesne, he rushes over to interrogate our removers.
‘Where are they off to, then?’ he demands.
‘I’m not telling you!’ says the boss, a short, powerfully-built man with tattoos all over his muscular arms.
‘Well, you must know!’ Concrete Farmer insists.
‘Mind your own business!’ says our hero. ‘You’re just a bloody nosy old farmer!’

Actually, since the week leading up to the move has been so busy, I barely know where I am myself. The first night in our new home leaves me feeling disorientated and missing all that’s familiar. However, in contrast to the first morning in our previous home when we woke up to find a yellow planning notice on the fence post directly opposite, our first morning in the new home brings sunshine, spring flowers and birdsong.

It continues to be very busy here and I haven’t had very much time for blogging, but here’s a few photos of the new garden, a place, I hope, where I can catch my breath.

View from the front where the sky meets the sea

A brook runs along the boundary


The rooks are building in the trees. Some of them play the kazoo


No excuse for not 'growing our own' here

Comments

Kath said…
Your new garden looks lovely. What a beautiful surrounding to live and write in. And here's hoping your new neighbours aren't quite so nosy and filled with a love of concrete as your former, the feudal farmlord.
Wow, what a beautiful place to live! I hope you'll both be very happy in your new home.

I can't imagine how horrible it must have been to wake up on your first day at your previous home to find a planning notice opposite you. What a nasty piece of work that farmer sounds.
Unknown said…
It looks so beautiful. Enjoy and good luck settling in.
lx
Posie said…
So glad it all went well, and it will soon feel like 'home'. Fabulous garden so welcoming and so much character, what fun you are going to have x
You have a covetable greenhouse there Chris.

Congratulations on your move and here's to new beginnings!

Jeanne
x
Frances said…
Chris, I love the image of your tattooed defender's way of dismissing the CF.

I also love those photos of your new area. A view to the sea...wow! And a greenhouse as well.

You all are going to enjoy settling in to this new home, and discovering more beauty all around.

Maybe you will soon find time to keep a quick journal of these early days? Could be novel material....

xo
Maggie Christie said…
What a wonderful heroic removals man!

I will have some plants for you to put in that lovely greenhouse - no rush though, I haven't planted the seeds yet. No evil tomatoes though!
Pondside said…
It's finally happened! Good luck to you in your new house and garden.
Good riddance to the Concrete Famer and 'bravo' to the moving man!
Fennie said…
Looks beautiful, Chris. I've always wanted a stream. One of the reasons I like the Mill so much. So much to do in a new house. I do hope all works out for you. I do hope also that it will be good for your writing.

Sitting on the bank, your toes in the running water of the brook, rooks cawing in the sky above you, a glass of nicely chilled white wine to hand, lying on your back, contemplating the white-clouded welkin and wrestling with all those problems of plot and character!
Elizabethd said…
What a perfect place to start again, new home, new garden, no neighbour.
Looking great. I do wish you every happiness there. It looks like you have really come home.
It is so beautiful. Doesn't this just inspire you to write?
DOT said…
I've worked out where you now live from the photos and will tell Mr. Nosy Bloody Farmer unless…

Looks amazing and hope you are very happy.
Karen said…
Farmer's can be very rude and overly territorial. I've been shouted at while walking the dog, even though I'm responsible and wouldn't dream of wandering into one of his fields!

Love photos, I hope you'll be happy there :o)
Chris Stovell said…
Kath, so far so quiet... although I'm a bit nervous about saying that in case I find I'm living next door to the mass Welsh bands.

Debs, the planning notice at the previous house was really upsetting at the time. Just keeping everything crossed that it stays unspoilt here.

Liz, thank you very much!

Aw, Posie, thanks - I'm feeling far more settled now and the garden is truly lovely.

Jeanne, yes, it's lovely to have - too expensive for us to buy. Thank you for your good wishes.

Frances, thank you. We were rather pleased when the farmer got told his fortune. Still new beginnings here and yes, there's lot to enjoy.

Mags... my own DH has PLANTED TOMATO SEEDS! Can you believe it? For good measure he's also sown some brussels which I loathe too.
Chris Stovell said…
Pondside, yes, we're here, hurray, and we feel very lucky.

Fennie, yes, put like that I feel very spoilt! It's a lovely setting and we were very lucky to stumble across it. Now we're going to make the most of it.

Elizabethd, it's all happened so fast after such a long wait, it's only just beginning to sink in, but yes, a new start in a lovely place.

Elizabethm, thank you. At first I felt a bit unsettled and kept looking for problems but now I'm really beginning to appreciate how fortunate we've been to find this spot.

Joanna, thank you - it's also very quiet (so far, fingers crossed!) and now that the move's behind me, it's lovely to be able to sit and write again. I can see the sea from my study... except it's misty and murky today!

DOT - hopefully he won't come round with his berludy tractor and stick a planning notice up round here! But thank you very much for the good wishes.

Karen, The Concrete Farmer firmly believed the land was still his even though he'd sold it. Everyone here has been very friendly and greeted us warmly which has been lovely.
bayou said…
Wonderful! Good luck in your new home. I wish you plenty of inspirational moments. Lucky to have a sea view, a stream and to have a greenhouse!
Just been catching up. You have been busy.

The garden looks lovely. Elizabethm/Mountainear will be in that greenhouse if they get half the chance!

Wishing you and yours all the best in your new home Chris. I should imagine living there will be very inspirational.

xx
Jane Lovering said…
It looks lovely. The very best of luck to you and yours in your new home.
Lins' lleisio said…
Oooh, looks absolutely lovely. Welcome to your new and beautiful home xxxx
Teresa said…
Adorable surroundings Chris!

As soon as you feel settled you'll see the wonder of living the four seasons in such a virgin place.


Great choice, Dear. Have Fun and all the Best!
Milla said…
Happy house dear Chris!!! Xxx
Jenny Beattie said…
Oh I've been so out of the loop that I didn't know the whole buyer/found a house thing had actually happened for you, Chris. How fantastic. Congratulations. I hope you'll both be very happy there.
Anonymous said…
What a stunning garden, Chris! Congratulations on the new start, hope you settle in nicely.

xx
Pauline Barclay said…
It looks fabulous! Wishing you a lifetime of love and happiness there. Hugs x
Fran Hill said…
He sounds like a beast of a man. Bury him in your lovely garden.
well is this 'home sweet home' at last? So hope so -
Unknown said…
See the Power of Positive thinking within you. Please follow my blog and read interesting posts. God Bless You
Oooh, ooh, ooh – it looks lovely, Chris. Hope you'll both be very happy there. xx
Flowerpot said…
It looks wonderful Chris and I'm so glad after that long slog you had -let's hope this is a new, verdant chapter - in all senses!
Chris Stovell said…
bayou, thank you - I do feel lucky, and it's great for writing here. Very quiet SO FAR!!

BSM, thank you - I'm very out of practise in the garden so welcome lots of tips. I'm looking forwards to a bit of spare time next month to get to know it.

Jane, ta m'dear!

Lins, it's been worth all the heartache leading up to it, thank you. Cx

Teresa, yes, but my girls say I'm becoming a rook bore!!

Milla, much appreciated, dear heart!
Chris Stovell said…
Jenny, thank you - I'm a bit out the loop at the moment to. Thanks very much for your good wishes.

Lucie, it is - and it's still sinking in that I can walk round it!x

Pauline, that's kind of you, thank you.

Fran, I'd be too afraid he might grow! Imagine if more of him sprouted? Or don't.

SBS, I certainly hope so! Any news over there?

Majid, thank you - I'm glad someone does! Thank you for visiting my blog.

LBD - you were right about moving suddenly and the sea being involved. Clever you. Cx

Flowerpot, your good wishes are much appreciated. Thank you!
Sally Townsend said…
How absolutely wonderful it is to see that you have moved and sounding so happy, long may it continue ! I know only too well how dreary nasty neighbours are

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