The next blog I post will be the long awaited “Author Interview”. We used my house in France for this piece as I thought that the medieval structure of the house – A-frame timbers, thatched roof and walls constructed from cow muck and straw, would have some resonance when I got to talking about the farm in Londesborough where young Henry was first taken.
If you see the next blog, it fits in well with the piece but I am quite sad, as we have made a decision to put it on the market this summer.
I had hoped to retire there but ‘er indoors, a Yorkshire lass through and through, has decided that ending her days away from the Broad Acres is not on. Besides she doesn’t speak the lingo and there is no gym within a 20 mile radius.
The concession is that I can buy somewhere with a bit of land in Yorkshire but the thing that’s worrying me is the logistics of getting everything back to Blighty and fitting it all in – hence the obscure picture of the beet cutter. I spent a whole winter restoring that and it now works as good as the day it was made – when Queen Victoria was on the throne.
It’s not just that, it’s all the trees I’ve planted. Apples, pears, quince, plums, figs, gooseberry, redcurrant and blackcurrant – not to mention the few vines I have. I’ve worked that land in the depths of winter, fingers freezing or sometimes slithering in the mud. I’ve toiled long and hard through blazing summers, sweat stinging my eyes and insects biting anything that was on offer. I’m proud of my bit of pasture too, finally ridding it of brambles, ground elder and nettles.
It’s all been a major part of my life, and I feel sad, but I have to be pragmatic and realise that we are only custodians of these lovely old houses and I have played my part in restoring the house and the land for someone else to enjoy.
At some stage I will have another challenge. Another house to fix up and a piece of land to lick into shape.
Who knows what the future has in store?
Jan
23
2010
What a shame Peter! Its clear how much you love that house and how hard you’ve worked on it. I’m sure the book’s success will keep you busy enough though!
Yes, I cannot really believe that we have even contemplated selling it. This sounds fanciful but when I steal across the channel on my own, to visit the house for a long weekend, I feel as if I am visiting a Mistress. The house has a feminine gender for me and I always feel like I am receiving a warm embrace when I settle down in my chair, crank the heating up and listen to the screech owls and creatures of the night going about their duties.
You are right, the book and its sequel will keep me occupied but it will be a sad day when I visit the Estate Agents.
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