Tuesday 5 July 2011

A Move to the (West) Country: Mission Impossible?

Not a bit of it.

Some overcoming of long-held prejudices required though.

"I don't want anything with low ceilings and black beams. And not an inglenook fireplace either!"

So what have I just bought?

A Grade II listed building - a roomy 3-bedroomed cottage on two floors, mostly surprisingly light and airy, with stairs going off in all directions, crammed to the gunwhales with charm and character, new kitchen, bathroom and boiler, a smallish walled garden, lovely neighbours with cats and a young black labrador, and just as exciting, vacant possession and a vendor willing to let me rent it if the legalities are not concluded before my preferred moving date.

And it's on the same road as the house I had intended to buy, but that the owner is still unable to vacate.

There will be pictures. Oh yes. Be patient.

But you may uncross your fingers now,and breathe out. You all contributed to this success.

Back soon.

PS That poor Lizzie deserves a medal for having put up with me gibbering and flapping for the whole of yesterday while the matter was resolved.

47 comments:

Unknown said...

Hallelujah!! Thrilled to bits for you. xx

Anonymous said...

Wonderful, marvellous news! Thank goodness that I can breathe again and uncross all my digits, I was getting rather stiff. You must feel as light as air now. Did you wave to your previous vendor whilst wearing a beatific smile?

the veg artist said...

I do feel like I can breathe now! Well done you!!!!!

Gretel said...

HOORAY!!!! AT LAST!!! I am so so pleased for you! Too many exclamation points, but it's a joyous ocassion!

SmitoniusAndSonata said...

Brilliant !
Vacant possesion and new kitchen etc. are wonderful . But what's really fabulous is the walled garden !
An excellent day's work .

Lucille said...

So happy for you. This could all be rather quick now couldn't it?

June said...

Your new home sounds downright charming!
I cannot wait for photos!

Anonymous said...

lovely neighbours with cats and a young black labrador

Well, you'll fit right in then, won't you? :-)

Congratulations on completing your mission, Rachel! It must be such a relief. I'm very much looking forward to the pictures!

A Heron's View said...

Many congratulations on making a wise choice in finding a new home for yourself. Such properties as you describe rarely go out of vogue.

I look forward in seeing the photo's.

flwrjane said...

I sounds just wonderful and what we in America picture as a perfect English dwelling.

I feel like most of the books I have read are set in your new home.

Can't wait to see pictures.

Congratulations Rachel. So happy for you.

xo Jane

Vintage Jane said...

Congratulations! The West Country is THE place to be. Vintage Jane from Somerset!

jabblog said...

Oh, congratulations:-))

Dragonfly Dreams said...

FABULOUS! Congratulations - I can hardly wait to see your new gem!

lethe said...

Congratulations Rachel!!!

judy in ky said...

Yay! Joy! I am doing a happy dance for you with all four of my kitties. It sounds perfect! So happy for you... can't wait to see the photos.

Shelagh said...

I am absolutely delighted for you. Finally! After more trials and tribulations than anyone should have to bear, you are able to reap some rewards for your (almost continuous) positive attitude and all that plain hard work. Thanks to Lizzie for her support especially from those of us too far away to give any of the personal kind. Thank goodness I can finally uncross all digits and breathe a hearty sigh of relief. And let out some rousing cheers! xo

Lesley said...

What fabulous news. I'm so pleased for you all.

Lesley xx

Jenny Debeaux said...

Clever girl - just brilliant!!!! Now, about this packing - why don't you let the packers do it all? I was a Services wife and in the end I just refused to do the packing anymore. I would recommend it to anyone!

Mac n' Janet said...

Yeah! Glad you found a place that suits you. Moving is such a thrill, in ways. Our last was almost exactly 8 years ago.
Can't wait to see your pictures.

John said...

Most excellent news! It sounds wonderful.

Susan said...

oh who cares about low ceilings, (soon to be painted creamy white) black beams and/or inglenook fireplaces ?!?? anyway - historic, walled in garden, stairs in all directions + young lab pal - need we know more ... YES of course we do avec photos ! It sounds dreamy, book-worthy even ... we have been waiting ... patiently I might add. Can you hear the hoorays from Black Street xoxo les Gang

Anonymous said...

Sounds like the dream is becoming reality. Congratulations! Lynda

Unknown said...

Yes, yes, yes! You are so very almost there Rachel.

SG said...

Glad you have found somewhere, looking forward to seeing photos!

Arthur Ransome said...

WOO-HOO!!! The flags are out in Perthshire - best news I've had in a while. Well done that woman.

Mary Ann Tate said...

Congratulations. I'm so excited for you:)

Anonymous said...

Heaving big sigh of relief as I type!! It will be all systems go now ..... just shout if a hand is needed with packing, or a man is needed to dismantle things!!

love those cupcakes said...

Result!

Maggie Christie said...

You've bought something? I hardly dare breathe or uncross... yet. It sounds wonderful and lovely. Hurrah!

Anna at the Doll House said...

Congratulations Rachel.

Anna

Anonymous said...

What wonderful news!

I'm so pleased you're finally settled and it sounds positively wonderful!

I can't wait to see the pictures!!

Mise said...

Oh, I'm delighted for you! It sounds beautiful, a place which you can improve and make your own, but with a character that you can work around and add your touch to the whole. Roll on the pictures.

Anonymous said...

Totally thrilled for you! Looking forward to hearing more about it in due course. I am sooo pleased for you!

Jan x

mountainear said...

Squeaking with delight on your behalf!!!! Putting in far too many exclamation marks! Delighted to hear your news. It sounds FAB!

....and yes, we need pictures ASAP.

annie hoff said...

It sounds wonderful. Very well done - and now you can relax..!

Frances said...

That is so thrilling! I am so pleased for you, it sounds just perfect..even down to a pal for Flossie! Can't wait for the pics. Well done you...hope everything goes smoothly for you now. x

Anonymous said...

May I have a chocolate medal?

Sweet Virginia Breeze said...

I am so glad you found a place. It sounds wonderful! Can't wait for pictures and more details.
I know you are relieved.

BumbleVee said...

It sounds like some sort of heritage thing then is it...the grade II listing? An attempt to maintain some of the older architecture. It will be a bit tough to get any renovations done then I guess if needed....now I'm off to see what an inglenook fireplace is....

Mary ,East Coventry USA said...

Congratulations! Wonderful news- sounds like things are moving - pun intended - into place.
Best wishes to you and the fur friends. Hoping the wee issues are resolved?
Mary

BumbleVee said...

how rude of me....totally forgot to say congrats......but, hopefully you know I meant to....I hope it will be a great place for you and the furry guys....

Auntjune said...

YAYYYAYYYYYYAYYYAYYYAYYYAYY!!!!

Yay! I am so excited, because I consider myself to have just purchased a lovely English vacation home....right? RIGHT? Photos, please, and I will be packing up my bags and starting a loose-change-airfare-jar.

And if you have any reservations about my visit, I urge you to consider that i am a very experienced room painter, should such a thing need doing...

One more, thing: As a 'Murrican, I am positively drooling over your roof beams and inglenook fireplace. Just sayin'.

Rattling On said...

It sounds like it was worth the wait...karma and all that. Now all you have to do is get the menagerie in the car!

Dan said...

Fantastic! Sounds like a wonderful cottage, and I'm looking forward to seeing some pics.
Dan
-x-

Bea across the pond said...

THANK GOODNESS! You deserve it! The house sounds lovely and so glad that you can rent until the 'legalities' are finished.

Elizabeth Musgrave said...

Oh wow! So pleased for you and sounds uncannily like my house which is rather cool! Glad it worked out x

Pam said...

Hurray!

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