Apart from the trip to the gardens at Hampton Court Castle and my jaunt to Bockleton church we spent the rest of the time at the caravan, reading, relaxing and looking round the site.
Timothy is beginning to like Prosecco a little too much!
The little "garden" area before B got to work and
here it is after a few hours of pruning, weeding and cutting back brambles!
A hosta has revealed itself!
I spent a lot of time watching the birds coming to the feeders and bird bath
Blue Tit
Coal Tit
Timothy
House Sparrow
We also got visits from Blackbirds, Dunnock, Wren, Robin, Long Tailed Tits and Great Tits and even saw a Nuthatch one day. Great Spotted Woodpeckers have also been seen but not on the feeders and we had great views of a Red Kite just down the lane and a pair in a field opposite. There is also a pair of Pied Wagtails which are a joy to watch.
The distant tree I am watching
We went a walk down to the pool where there were a lot of dragon and damselflies but too far over the water to confidently id.
Gatekeeper
The apple tree we have has cooking apples so we bought some home to make an Apple and Blackberry Crumble with foraged blackberries.
In other news some of you may remember I have talked from time to time of us considering a house move. Some of you may recall that early last year I fell in love with a rather lovely rural property about 10 miles from here which had a large garden, a garden office and a tower! It was around the time that I was clearing out my mother's house and then putting it on the market. When all this was done I finally got round to trying to arrange a viewing only to find the house was sold subject to contract. I liked the house that much that I do still check from time to time in case a miracle has occurred and it had come back on the market but the other day it was my daughter that spotted it had re-appeared! I really have no idea what happened last time and really need to find out but I have arranged a viewing even though it is back on the market for 25K more than last year!
The need to act quickly became more necessary this morning when our neighbour from the adjoining semi came round with some bombshell news of the sort we have been dreading and which is one of the main reasons for us wishing to move. I won't go into too many details but basically he plans to have massive rebuilding and extension work done which would include a new roof, new windows, extending by another three metres the downstairs extension which is already an eyesore at 12 feet long across the whole back of the house. They also plan to build a back storey extension on the first floor jutting out around two metres across the whole back of the house AND have a massive loft extension which will effectively add a third storey to the house and overlook our garden. To cap it all they will be moving out while all this work is done so they don't have to put up with the dust and noise. Did we have any objections?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well, you may well imagine our reaction. Several hours later I am still reeling with the shock and totally horrified. It would make our life here hell for probably about a year. Hence any plans to move have now shot to the top of the agenda. It is something I never wanted to do in haste especially at the current time and because we have a lot of decluttering to do and really should put in a new kitchen but to be honest I feel we have no choice in the matter as I have seen and heard the mess and noise from other rebuilding work round here and know exactly what we would have to go through.
Sorry for rant just feeling shell-shocked and rather angry! I will let you know what I think of my "tower" house although it is at the very top of our budget and would use a lot of our savings.
10 comments:
My heart goes out to you and I can fully empathise. I have had demolition and building works going on behind me now for literally years. The sweet cottage was knocked down and a monstrosity of a timber frame house with massive windows built in it's place. I am shaking just typing about it. I think it's time to join Timothy in that glass of prosecco! Your little garden at the caravan is really taking shape, and it looks a perfect getaway as long as you can do it with ever changing the pandemic regulations.
Rustic Pumpkin - Thanks so very much and I am so sorry to hear about the disruption you have had to go through - why don't planning departments ever think of neighbours and how the work will affect them when they approve these plans?!
I woke really early today worrying about it all - at the end of the day with all the uncertainty with the pandemic it is not a good time to have to consider moving house in a panic. Yes, the caravan may be a getaway if, as you say, we can still travel there! But to be honest if we were still living here I wouldn't want to leave the kids to cope with the noise and dealing with it all. We all know what liberties builders can take and what damage they can cause :( To be honest the whole thing is a nightmare especially as I was in such a state at the time I never thought to ask him when they were planning on having it all done!
Will go and see the "tower" house tomorrow although still waiting for the appointment to be confirmed! Will have to chase later if I don't hear anything.
Oh dear everything sounds awful. Is there anyway you can see the plans on the counci's website and put in an objection especially on the overlooking third storey? It's a lot to have to put up with as you don't know how long it will take and when it is to be done. It's a good thing you have your rural retreat to withdraw to when the worst of the work is being done. The garden is looking wonderful there, just the right place to sooth shattered nerves. Your dream house sounds wonderful and I hope you can get to view it this time. Every time we think about moving something happens, first time was 2008 financial crisis after a year we took the house off the market, then we thought 2016 but then there was Brexit and all its uncertainty, we'd hoped this year but Covid put paid to that. So we are still here wondering when the best time will be. Take care:)
Rosie - Thanks so much for your kind words. I don't think he has put in for planning permission yet as his architect is drawing up the plans but I will keep checking although we should get a letter. We have already told him we will object but I doubt it will get us anywhere. Council where we live are very lax and there are several of those flat like loft extensions round here. Will take a crafty photo of one nearby if I can and you will see what an eyesore they are.
Going to see to the dream house all being well tomorrow. After all I said about not wanting to go inside buildings too. A lot will depend on that visit. As nothing else suitable on the market. Yes, it is difficult to decide best time to move :( Part of me now I have sort of slept on it (didn't sleep much!) thinks I am not going to let him drive me out until I am ready to go but then I think of the noise and disruption and dust probably for months if not a year and just have the horrors!!!
Oh dear .... Good luck with the house move. Never easy...
On a happier note. Hampton court is lovely isn't it...
Hi Timothy 😊
The Quacks of Life - thanks Pete. Whole thing a nightmare as we've lived in the same house all our married life and obviously with the pandemic it is not really the right time to consider moving :( Going to see the house I like today a lot will depend on what we think of it.
Yes, really loved Hampton Court. Timothy waves back :)
What surprises life can throw at us! And I just hope, RR, that the good ones will outweigh the bad for you all. Meanwhile, this must be a turbulent time, and I'm so glad you have had a few days of peace in the countryside ahead of whatever is to come. The birds are wonderful and you must be pleased to have the garden area. Timothy looks as pleased as punch with his new static home-from-home, or should that be as pleased as prosecco?
Caroline Gill - Thanks so much for your kind words. To be honest I just don't know what we will do as with the pandemic and uncertainty it is not really the right time to throw yourself into a house move! Some difficult decisions ahead! At least we have the caravan to escape too which may prove to be useful!!!
Your holiday travels look wonderful :-)
With regards to your neigbours plans. Is what he proposes legal? There are strict regulations about a current property expanding beyond certain limits.
Even if that is not the case you have the option to object to his plans.
xx
CherryPie - Thank you. Very hard these days to tell from planning sites what is allowed and what not as they have relaxed rules so very much. But we will object when he submits them. Trying not to dwell on it because the thought really is a nightmare.
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