Sunday 11 May 2014

Old ladies bones...





Lost then found again. First we had it within our grasp. The little stone house. Not the prettiest, but it called to us and I imagined some kind of Agatha Christie character had lived there before. She was beckoning us to be the new custodians. Everything just as she’d left it. The dark wood furniture and the standard lamp, settled on the gallery landing. The exposed blackened beams, like sentinels guarding her belongings.

I imagined my desk ensconced there, pages I’d write, images that I would draw and wash with colour. Dreamed of long summer evenings curled on a daybed on that same gallery. Book in hand, soaking up the pages, window ajar and honeysuckle perfume percolating from the garden below. All the while, keeping her light burning.

I kept asking, but no one seemed to know when this little dwelling began life. We waited for prognosis of the scary building survey. What skeletons would be revealed, rotten beams or slipped foundations. We deciphered the document. The stone building was just a façade for the medieval core. It was ancient, with ancient problems. Like an old lady's broken bones.

Expensive treatment was required. We went away to do our sums, not good. Then crossed another border to see a vast old farmhouse, an elegant Georgian town house and a massive three-story inn with copious rooms and fireplaces to boot. We made the mental images in each dwelling. The spare bedrooms for visitors. Imaged the parties we could have. Or me by the kitchen sink, ‘A’ chopping wood. Or visa versa.

Driving back home along windy country roads, a magnet much stronger than the pull of our purse strings, took us back to the little stone house. We sat in the garden of the adjacent pub and ate our homemade sandwiches. We looked at each other and then at the house. In that instant we both felt that we had come home.

So Corner House may need expensive surgery and lots of tender love and care. It will be a long convalescence before she can compete with her elderly neighbours. But a little bit of financial negotiating helped; and can you see what it says on the burgundy board planted by the old stone wall?

Yes…soon we will be home…

…I’ve even ordered a surprise chicken coop and run for A for his longed for chickens…


16 comments:

  1. congratulations! Nothing like a major reno to get excited about a move :) I love how you could see yourself in the home. The garden is delightful!!! How thrilling---hugs!!

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    1. Thanks Karen. I know we are itching to move so the work can begin. I have to start packing with a vengeance now.
      debx

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  2. You found it!! I am so excited for you Debby and all the wonderful days, month, years, you will be spending in your new home. I think A is going to be over the top with joy at having chickens.
    Hugs to you as you begin this new adventure. Now you must take lots of photos to share so I can peak okay?

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    1. I know! It's hard to say why this one won over all the others but it just has such a good feeling when you walk inside and I fell in love with the garden. I'm hoping there might just be enough room for bees too. My cameras just broken but we plan to make another trip to measure up and I plan to take lots more photos this time. It's very neglected but full of character.Thanks,
      debx

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  3. Oh good for you.. I loved this little tour and your house looks so delightful.. I can just imagine how excited you all must be.. And chickens.... what more could one ask for...grin..
    Can't wait to see inside.. Sorry for being so nosy... xo

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    1. I'm just as nosy Faye and love to peep in your home too. We are very excited to get in before the winter as it may need a new roof and windows before we can start to work on bringing the inside back to life. I'll hopefully share photos soon.
      debx

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  4. Congratulations on finding your new home..or did she find you? ..so exciting
    Thea xx

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    1. Oh thank you Thea. It does feel a bit that way.
      debx

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  5. Wonderful news! I love that you've gone with your heart. You were always looking for a home not just a house and the fact that this one spoke to you both is all the sign you need. There may be some intersting adventures ahead with renovations but think of all the stories you will discover and all the new stories you will have to tell in years to come. I'm so happy for you and cant wait to hear more about it.

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    1. Thank you Caz. It will be a long process but we want to live in the house a little before doing anything drastic. Probably get someone in to do the roof and windows first. I'm hoping that we may uncover some unexpected surprises...nothing sordid though...
      debx

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  6. I am so excited for you!!!! So happy that you chose the house that was calling to you. I can't wait to hear the stories that this old soul has to tell you. I know you will fill the old house with the same warmth and comfort that it once held.

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    1. Thanks Emily. We are too. It will take a little while but hopefully soon feel like home.
      debx

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  7. Hooray! Oh, Debby, it's perfect! I love the way your described the house, and the way you saw yourself living in it, writing and drawing...Oooo, the garden is so lovely--look at all those flowers! I would give my foot to live in a neighborhood like that. As a lover of English literature, I am swooning over your photos. I am so happy for you!

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    1. Thank you Susan, It's a beautiful area, very peaceful and surrounded by so much green that we were lucky to find a house for sale there. It needs a lot doing to it but inside it's much bigger than it looks and has potential for doing so much to it without loosing the character. I love the little garden, I can't wait to get working on it and tidying it up.
      debx

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  8. Oh my congratulations. Just catching up on my blogging reading - I have been over taken by renovations, busy work life, sick and needy ageing parents-in-law, grandchildren and the many other calls on my time that even my blog is very quiet of late. I have a trip to the UK next week and needed to clear my emails, which I find difficult just to delete, and just as difficult finding the time to read, when - guess what I saw! You bought a House! Well done, you must be relieved that you have found something that suits you both even though a little tough on the pocket - but hey that's half the pleasure isn't it, putting your own stamp on things. It would rather nice to meet if we could possibly get it organised don't you think? In the Uk for my mother's birthday 23 May until 2 June.

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    1. Hi there,
      I've only just seen this message. What a lovely idea. I will email you.
      Thanks.
      debx

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