West Country I Escaped to the Country


West Country

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Making the move from city to countryside

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is often a momentous step.

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Never in a million years I would imagine I would be seeing a house

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like this. Never, ever.

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But for many years,

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Escape To The Country has been supporting countless people

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on the hunt for their new home.

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-What do we think of this?

-Oh, my!

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-Chocolate box!

-We've travelled to the most picturesque pockets of

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-Britain...

-Take a look at that killer view.

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That's amazing.

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..to showcase thousands of exquisite country properties...

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-Aw!

-But how pretty is that?

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..our buyers just couldn't resist.

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-Jules!

-THEY LAUGH

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Seriously, get your chequebook out now.

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Join us as we catch up with those who bought their dream home...

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I think you should be kissing Nicki!

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..to find out how the move changed their lives

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when they escaped to the country.

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Today, I'm in the West Country and here in the village of Avebury in

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Wiltshire lies the largest and most complex prehistoric stone circle

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in Britain. Now,

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this fascinating site is surrounded by an earthwork known as a henge

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and is thought to have been used for sacred ceremonies.

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My mission today is an exciting one,

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as I'll be catching up with some of my house hunters from the past who

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bought one of the houses they saw and have carved out a new life for

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themselves in the country.

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Our two couples today in the West Country now call Wiltshire

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and Somerset home. Later,

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I'll be dropping in on dog groomer Rick and retired teacher Dee.

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Back in 2013,

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they were longing to leave the busy town of Ilford in Essex for the

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serenity of a Somerset village.

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Dee is loving her new life in the property we first saw together

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and Rick's dog-grooming business is thriving.

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On a scale of one to ten, how happy has this move made you?

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-Oh, ten.

-Ten.

-Without a shadow of a doubt.

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Aw, look, she's going!

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But first we're in Wiltshire,

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visiting Rose and Tim at the home I showed them

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back in the summer of 2014.

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Has their big step of moving to the country, after four decades in their

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urban home, paid off?

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I'll be getting them to spill the beans on that and if they're

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completely sold on village life,

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where they're now volunteer shopkeepers.

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OK, cards on the table, is it the heart of all gossip for the village?

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-We haven't been here long enough, that's the best answer.

-Perhaps you're the gossip!

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Yes, be diplomatic.

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So, let's wind back to that summer of 2014 when it all started for Rose

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and Tim.

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For nearly 30 years had been living in the town of Sandhurst,

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Berkshire, in their four-bedroom property,

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but now they wanted to head west.

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We are definitely looking forward to escaping the traffic.

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As you go West from Sandhurst,

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it almost seems to be going back 10, 20 years in time because there's

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so little traffic on the roads.

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Rose had just retired from teaching after 41 years and Tim was now

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semiretired from his job as a transport consultant.

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No longer tied to a particular location,

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they had their sights set on the tranquillity of Wiltshire.

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I am looking forward to having some new places to go for some long walks

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with the dog. We've been here now too long.

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I have a friend who lives in Marlborough.

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So we know some of the area for walking and it is beautiful.

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As well as dog Bertie,

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their journey westward would also have a caravan in tow.

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Plus Tim was hoping to expand his new hobby of restoring furniture.

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I'm looking forward to getting rid of my disreputable old shed

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and getting a nice workshop in place.

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So I shall then be able to attend to whatever challenges come my way with

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the new house.

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So, with a budget of £600,000, they wanted at least three bedrooms,

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a south-facing garden, a garage and workshop,

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plus space to park the caravan.

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They were also keen to be within an hour and a half from friends and

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family back in Berkshire.

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When we met up in Wiltshire, Tim was sporting a recent injury,

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but I sensed that wasn't going to curb their enthusiasm

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on our search.

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I'm not going to go too fast cos I'm a little concerned about your leg.

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We'll take it easy, but shall we get started?

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-I'd love to.

-Great.

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The first attempt at finding their perfect property was in the hamlet

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of Winterbourne Monkton,

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where we started with a 19th-century farm worker's cottage.

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It looks good. It's nicely spread out.

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How do you feel about being semi-detached?

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-I don't mind.

-We haven't got a problem.

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-No?

-No.

-So long as there is somewhere in the garden that still

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feels private.

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So, this semi-detached suggestion got an early seal of approval.

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Inside, we started in an impressive country kitchen.

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This looks really nice.

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-It's light. There's a view.

-THEY LAUGH

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There's a view of the garden.

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-Yes.

-I like the units, I think a really nice colour.

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-They are nice.

-Nicely fitted.

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It's a bespoke kitchen.

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But behind me, you've actually got a utility room.

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-Right.

-That's good.

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With an additional sink and access to the garden as well.

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-Good.

-That's where the dog goes when he comes in muddy after a walk.

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Right. OK, well, let's continue through.

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At the back of the house,

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we saw a sitting room, which grabbed their attention.

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-And this has got the view of the garden.

-Yeah.

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-Looks fantastic.

-But this is why they built this room,

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because the sun comes round, open the patio doors, onto the terrace,

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and then you have the view of your garden.

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-It's fantastic.

-It's lovely.

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So, what sort of impression is this house making on you?

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I truly do love it.

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-Do you?

-I do.

-Yeah, it's quite quirky.

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-I really do.

-Right.

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Well, we've still got more to show you, so...

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-Good.

-Good.

-Let's take a look upstairs.

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Up on the first floor, there was one more bedroom than they'd asked for,

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with three guest bedrooms served by a family bathroom and master with

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ensuite. But it was outside in the three quarters of an acre garden

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that the property came into its own.

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As well as a paddock, there were two ponds

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and of course that all-important parking for the caravan.

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But I had something else up my sleeve,

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an annexe with a garage for Tim's furniture restoration,

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plus lots of extra accommodation.

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Well, it looks like a huge garage,

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in actual fact it's a self-contained flat.

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-Oh, really?

-No!

-Just the other side of the shrubs.

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-Oh, fantastic.

-So, downstairs you've got the kitchen,

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you've got a downstairs bathroom,

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and then upstairs, although it's eaved,

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you've got a massive bedroom.

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-That's fantastic.

-Tremendous,

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because that's just perfect for our friends from Germany

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who want to come and spend time with us each year.

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And it doesn't encroach on the house at all.

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-No.

-So we've got to try and put a price on all of this,

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haven't we? I wonder who wants to go first.

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I can't believe that all this can be in our budget.

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So I'm going to go for 600.

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Yeah, I think it's going to be in the region of 580, 585.

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Asking price...

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-..£575,000.

-No!

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-Really?

-Yeah.

-That's incredible.

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It's giving us virtually everything we've been looking for.

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Well, we certainly got off to a flying start with our first house

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and I was feeling pretty pleased with myself.

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It gave them everything that they'd asked us for - character,

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enough space for the caravan and that beautiful large garden.

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I think in their heads, they'd moved in.

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So, how would we fare with the next two?

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Our second offering was ten miles away

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in the village of Ogbourne Maizey,

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just an hour from Tim and Rose's friends and family in Berkshire.

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It was a pretty 17th-century thatched cottage, with its own well

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that until the 1920s was a freshwater source for the village.

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Absolutely an English thatched cottage, isn't it?

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-It is.

-Really sweet.

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It's certainly thatched. Is it listed?

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It is. It's Grade II listed and we're also in an area of outstanding

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-natural beauty as well.

-Mmm. Mm-hm.

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They appreciated the classic character and thatched roof of

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the exterior, so what would they make of the vaulted

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main reception room, which was filled with natural light?

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I didn't expect to see that in here.

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No. I wondered how dark it was going to be,

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so this is a really nice surprise, with three aspects.

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Patio doors out onto the garden.

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Sun streaming in today.

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Which is lovely. And if that's the case,

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we're not going to need the huge fire, are we?

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-Aw, that's lovely.

-So you've got a multi-fuel burner there as well.

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You like this room so far?

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I like this room very much.

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-Yeah, this is a lovely room.

-Let's see what you make of the rest.

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So, through into the kitchen, which...

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..granted, it's not the largest of kitchens

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but you do have a utility next door as well.

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-That helps, doesn't it?

-Yeah.

-Yes. I'm just looking around, thinking,

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after having seen the one that you showed us this morning,

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which was fantastic, it's slightly darker.

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They've actually put on an additional building.

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Now, they use that, it is sort of like a sunroom,

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but they actually use it for their plants.

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But also on this ground floor, we've seen that wonderful sitting-room,

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but you've got an additional dining room and quite a good-size office as

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-well.

-OK.

-So I can't give you large open plan,

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what I can give you is smaller rooms, smaller dimensions,

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but there is that quirkiness, there is that character. Mm-hm.

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Yes, it's certainly got plenty of character, this place.

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There were three good-sized bedrooms on offer.

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Outside, the gardens and an additional paddock

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amounted to over half an acre. What's more,

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there was a part-converted detached garage I hoped would interest Tim.

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Now, it's been split up into two,

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so they've got the workshop in there at the moment,

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there's a storage room,

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but above that has been converted into a wonderful study.

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-Right.

-Which could work really well for you, for your workshop.

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This thatched cottage had lots of positives

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but would it be under their £600,000?

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I think it's going to be just over 600,000, perhaps 610,000.

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I think it could even be as much as 620.

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OK, it's on the market for £595,000.

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Pleasantly surprised.

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That concluded a great first day of house-hunting.

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But day two brought the mystery house into the mix,

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which lay in the village of Bratton.

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Close by, the oldest white horse in Wiltshire

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is carved into Westbury hill

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and dates back to the 1700s,

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the same century in which our mystery house was built.

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Here's our mystery house.

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It's a mystery. It looks incredible.

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-It really is...

-Interesting.

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It is west of the area that you've been looking.

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But we think it's worth coming this far over just to see this unusual

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-house.

-It's certainly worth coming to see, I think,

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cos it's not the sort of place that we expected to see at all.

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Inside, the mystery revelations kept on coming,

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particularly in the huge kitchen at the rear of the house.

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Now, the end of the hallway is...

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Gosh!

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Oh, what a lovely-size room.

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-It's a large kitchen, isn't it?

-Incredible. Yes.

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I don't think I've ever been in a house like this.

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-No.

-It's unusual, isn't it?

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We always like the mystery to surprise people.

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It's not something I'd ever considered, or ever thought of,

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a house like this.

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-But it's great.

-I'm glad you're enjoying, though, the tour.

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-Very, very much.

-Good.

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There were two more reception rooms, both with feature fireplaces.

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Upstairs provided three good-sized doubles,

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plus a lovely family bathroom.

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But it didn't end there.

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Up again, on the very top floor, there was a study

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and also this.

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The master bedroom.

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-I just love how unusual it is.

-It's great.

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And just look over your shoulder...

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-Real country.

-Certainly a room with a view.

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Outside, tiered gardens featured two ponds,

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but as with many a mystery house, it brought some challenges,

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with no garage or off-street parking for the caravan,

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although there was a neighbour willing to lease out a garage.

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That could be the compromise, the caravan.

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-Yeah.

-So...might be quite a difficult one this one,

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can we put a price on the mystery?

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I would say 560.

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I'm going to put it at 535.

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-The asking price is 599,950.

-Mmm.

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-Really?

-Yes.

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So, which house in the line-up did they ultimately choose?

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They had certainly both been charmed by property one.

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I love the character, the individuality, perfect.

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This house is amazing.

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It's fulfilled so many of our requirements.

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House two's impressive vaulted reception room did score highly.

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And finally of course,

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that substantial mystery house had delivered a surprise at every turn.

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The mystery house has certainly lived up to the expectations.

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It's an amazing place.

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Both inside and outside.

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It's a house that is a bit of a challenge

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but could be a really good home.

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Time to reveal what happened next.

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Although great houses,

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those two examples couldn't live up to the first property I showed

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Tim and Rose. Try as I might to engage them,

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their hearts were set on the Victorian farm worker's cottage,

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but I'm pleased to say they liked it so much they actually bought it.

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So let's find out how they're getting on.

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Returning to this home,

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it's clear to see how much Tim and Rose love it

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because, apart from moving their belongings in

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and installing a new wood burner, they've hardly changed a thing.

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The kitchen is just the way I remember it.

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Well, I have to say, this is all rather lovely

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and it feels a little bit like deja vu.

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Like I've been here before.

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So, here's to the two of you.

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-Thank you very much.

-In your new home.

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Welcome back.

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Just a couple of months after our Wiltshire house hunt,

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Tim and Rose were moving into this Winterbourne Monkton home.

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It was a quick turnaround but it wasn't without jittery moments.

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How many times did you view it afterwards?

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I must admit, I came down quite a few times.

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Tim knew instantly and I know I loved the place but it was just

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going to be such a big move after so long in Sandhurst.

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I think I came down five or six times.

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So, six or seven viewings?

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Mmm. I remember asking

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did they think that we would be accepted here in the village

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or was it the sort of village where they didn't like newcomers?

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And in fact we could not have been more accepted by people,

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it's an incredibly sociable village.

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-Is it really?

-Really is.

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And how important was that for the two of you

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with you making this move?

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I think it was...

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It was more important than we realised.

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We thought, "Right, we've got to be very sociable,

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"we've got to be outgoing."

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But the village helped so much.

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As we walked round the village with our dog, they'd say,

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"Hey, you're Tim and Rose, are you?

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"Oh, welcome to the village."

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There's two wine circles, we belong to one of them.

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There's a village club where they meet once a month,

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so you're not in each other's pockets all the time

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but you've got these opportunities to meet up and see other people.

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Now, when we came down here to look at properties,

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we also introduced you to a lady called Melissa, didn't we?

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-Oh, yes.

-Who's a blacksmith,

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-or should I say, a creative artistic blacksmith.

-Yes.

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-That's right.

-You were very taken with her work.

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-I seem to remember.

-Yes.

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Tim's going to be hammering at home now after this.

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Yeah, he's going to have a forge when he looks for a house now.

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He's going to say, "I want one with a forge, please."

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Tim enjoyed the blacksmithing experienced so much

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he returned for a day's workshop

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and made his own bird feeder for the garden.

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It sits alongside pieces made by Melissa,

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a bird bath and some artwork they've displayed inside.

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Actually, I wondered, as she's local, if we could pop in

0:16:430:16:45

and say hello to her.

0:16:450:16:46

It's a 20-minute drive from Tim and Rose's

0:16:460:16:49

to the forge at a farm outside

0:16:490:16:50

Marlborough, where Melissa's busy working on her latest design.

0:16:500:16:54

-Hi, Melissa.

-Hello.

0:16:560:16:57

Nice to meet you.

0:16:570:16:59

I would shake your hand but probably not today.

0:16:590:17:02

-But, I mean, you guys, you're old friends now.

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

0:17:020:17:05

So, Melissa, you've seen the house, have you?

0:17:050:17:07

I have. I was kindly invited over to the house-warming party,

0:17:070:17:11

where I think the entire village was there.

0:17:110:17:14

And then, after Tim and Rose came to an exhibition here,

0:17:140:17:18

I then went over with one of my sculptures to try it in situ,

0:17:180:17:22

so that they could see whether it was the right piece for the place

0:17:220:17:25

they had in mind for it. And then, Tim, you came over with a friend

0:17:250:17:28

from the village as well, when you did your course here.

0:17:280:17:31

So, yeah, it's really great.

0:17:310:17:32

Yeah, I'd like to do some more.

0:17:320:17:34

-Would you?

-It was very satisfying to be able to produce something at the

0:17:340:17:37

end of the day.

0:17:370:17:39

And we just think how nice it is to support the people in

0:17:390:17:42

the area that we're now living.

0:17:420:17:44

Another way they support their local area is volunteering in the Avebury

0:17:480:17:52

Community Shop, just over a mile from their home.

0:17:520:17:55

It was opened in 2009 by local residents trying to bolster

0:17:550:17:59

the village facilities, and relies on volunteer help.

0:17:590:18:03

Today, the shift involves restocking the supplies.

0:18:030:18:06

So, Nicki, we've got the local produce here

0:18:070:18:10

and when you put it in the fridge,

0:18:100:18:12

you've got to put the newest thing towards the back and just bring the

0:18:120:18:14

-rest forward.

-Cos of the dates.

0:18:140:18:16

-Because of the date.

-And do you try and get all your meat from local

0:18:160:18:20

-suppliers?

-They do here, yes.

0:18:200:18:22

Lyn is one of the managers in charge of coordinating the army of local

0:18:230:18:27

residents who keep the shop doors open.

0:18:270:18:31

So, how many volunteers do you think you have from the community,

0:18:310:18:34

roughly, working in the shop?

0:18:340:18:36

-On and off.

-Oh, probably about 35, 40.

0:18:360:18:39

So, that's quite a team, isn't it?

0:18:390:18:41

It is. It sounds wonderful but some of them are husband and wives and of

0:18:410:18:45

course they go on holiday together.

0:18:450:18:47

Ah! So you're constantly looking for new people.

0:18:470:18:50

We are. We can always do with more volunteers.

0:18:500:18:53

It's a great way of giving something back, making friends

0:18:530:18:57

and being part of village life.

0:18:570:18:59

But given the proximity to the largest stone circle in Britain,

0:18:590:19:03

I'm guessing this isn't just a shop used by residents.

0:19:030:19:06

The local community use the shop but also, I can imagine because of where

0:19:060:19:10

-we are in Avebury, it must get so many tourists.

-Yes. Yes.

0:19:100:19:13

Oh, yes. During the summer solstice, we get huge numbers of people.

0:19:130:19:18

It is incredible. They stay open late.

0:19:180:19:19

They stay open till ten.

0:19:190:19:21

And whereas usually you have one or two volunteers in the shop,

0:19:210:19:24

during the summer solstice they try and get four or five.

0:19:240:19:26

Somebody on the till, somebody packing up, somebody stocking,

0:19:260:19:29

because particularly the meat just flies off the shelf.

0:19:290:19:32

-Is that the big seller, the meat?

-That's the big seller for the solstice, yes.

0:19:320:19:36

OK, cards on the table, is it the heart of all gossip for the village?

0:19:360:19:40

-We haven't been here long enough, that's the best answer.

-Perhaps you're the gossip!

0:19:410:19:44

-Yes, be diplomatic. Be diplomatic.

-I mean, certainly,

0:19:440:19:47

we've got to know more people in the village, so, yes,

0:19:470:19:50

you do start talking to them and finding out what's going on.

0:19:500:19:54

Where others dream of making the move,

0:19:560:19:58

Rose and Tim seized the opportunity and took that leap into the unknown.

0:19:580:20:03

It's clear they're thoroughly enjoying their retirement,

0:20:030:20:06

throwing themselves into village life and enriching their days

0:20:060:20:09

with new interests. We wish them much continued happiness,

0:20:090:20:14

sharing their home with friends and family and enjoying time in that

0:20:140:20:18

idyllic garden.

0:20:180:20:19

Right across the British countryside,

0:20:250:20:28

we've seen house-buyers, all with very different lifestyle ambitions,

0:20:280:20:32

fall in love with the properties we've shown them.

0:20:320:20:35

It's always fantastic to hear when they make that all-important offer

0:20:350:20:39

which goes on to be accepted.

0:20:390:20:41

Coming up, a couple of highlights from our house-hunting success

0:20:410:20:45

stories in the West Country.

0:20:450:20:47

Back in September 2015,

0:20:490:20:52

Sonali Shah was property hunting with avid seamstress Diana

0:20:520:20:56

and Jonathan, a retired policeman and now a published crime writer.

0:20:560:21:00

They wanted to quit busy Burgess Hill in West Sussex

0:21:000:21:03

and, with their £500,000 budget,

0:21:030:21:06

move to Dorset and find a home overlooking the sea.

0:21:060:21:10

When Sonali took them to a 1930s property near the market town of

0:21:110:21:15

Bridport, it was clear the location fitted the bill.

0:21:150:21:18

Now, as you both do want to live by the coast,

0:21:200:21:26

here's a house by the sea.

0:21:260:21:28

-Oh, yes.

-You really get to appreciate the views which is...

0:21:280:21:31

-Yeah.

-..what you're after and what you've requested.

0:21:310:21:34

-Yes.

-Immediately, I see those big glass doors,

0:21:340:21:36

which is showing us the view again.

0:21:360:21:38

They're making the most of it.

0:21:380:21:41

They loved the contemporary kitchen-diner...

0:21:410:21:44

-Really nice.

-Bright, I like the fixtures and the fittings.

0:21:440:21:48

-They look good.

-Yeah.

-And as anticipated,

0:21:480:21:51

those big glass doors from the living room gave them that sea view.

0:21:510:21:55

Really good-sized room, log burning stove...

0:21:550:21:57

-That's lovely, isn't it?

-Nice, bright.

-Really.

0:21:570:22:00

And the views are really...

0:22:000:22:01

-Gorgeous, aren't they? Yeah.

-Lovely.

-Huge, huge doors.

0:22:010:22:04

It feels like a lovely Dorset picture...

0:22:040:22:06

-Yeah.

-..there, doesn't it?

-Yes, very good.

-Yeah.

0:22:060:22:08

Let's go higher because, of course, that sea view can only get better.

0:22:080:22:12

There were four bedrooms upstairs as well as a family bathroom with

0:22:140:22:18

separate bath and shower.

0:22:180:22:20

And it was in the master ensuite that this property again served up

0:22:200:22:25

that coastal outlook.

0:22:250:22:26

And you've got the view. Oh, that's lovely, isn't it?

0:22:260:22:29

-Really.

-That's what this house is about.

0:22:290:22:31

-Yes.

-That picture.

0:22:310:22:32

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

-And lovely big windows to show it off.

0:22:320:22:35

-If that's what you want, this is the place to go for.

-Yeah.

0:22:370:22:39

We asked for a sea view and didn't think you'd find it.

0:22:390:22:42

How you did it, I don't know.

0:22:420:22:44

Although the £540,000 asking price nudged over their preferred budget,

0:22:450:22:50

it didn't seem to put them off.

0:22:500:22:52

I would hope there'd be room for negotiation because I'm definitely

0:22:520:22:56

interested. Yeah.

0:22:560:22:58

It's definitely up there.

0:22:580:22:59

I'm delighted to report that Diana and Jonathan's offer was accepted

0:22:590:23:04

and they now call it home.

0:23:040:23:06

Since moving in, that inspiring outlook has spurred Jonathan on

0:23:060:23:10

with his writing,

0:23:100:23:11

and we wish them all the best for their continued adventures.

0:23:110:23:14

Another happy ending occurred a couple of years earlier

0:23:180:23:21

in the spring of 2013,

0:23:210:23:24

when Jules Hudson was in Somerset helping Baptist minister Derek and

0:23:240:23:28

charity worker Alison.

0:23:280:23:30

They were ready to leave Tonbridge in Kent and hoped their £500,000

0:23:300:23:34

budget would buy them a classic period home in Somerset.

0:23:340:23:39

Jules hoped to show them something with that elusive wow factor.

0:23:390:23:43

In the village of Butleigh,

0:23:430:23:44

a 17th-century cottage, built from local Blue Lias stone,

0:23:440:23:48

showed early signs of delivering just that.

0:23:480:23:52

-What a lovely-looking property.

-Beautiful.

-Isn't it?

0:23:520:23:55

-Really excited.

-Yeah.

0:23:550:23:56

-It's very handsome.

-It is.

0:23:560:23:58

Inside, they were delighted by the fireplaces and stone stairs...

0:23:590:24:03

-There it is.

-Ha!

-Isn't that lovely?

0:24:030:24:05

Goodness.

0:24:050:24:07

..and there was music to Jules' ears.

0:24:070:24:10

-Wow!

-Very nice.

0:24:100:24:12

That was a whoa. Is that like a wow?

0:24:120:24:14

-That's a wow.

-Yeah, good.

0:24:140:24:16

-Excellent.

-A Kentish wow.

0:24:160:24:17

By the time they reached the dining room,

0:24:190:24:21

they were planning where the furniture could go.

0:24:210:24:23

Got a nice oak table that will just go there nicely.

0:24:230:24:26

Ah, you see? Hands are being rubbed, we're painting the picture...

0:24:260:24:30

-Moving in.

-Starting to see our furniture in this place already.

0:24:300:24:32

-Can you do that though, Derek?

-Oh, yes. Oh, yes.

0:24:320:24:35

Good. Right, come through here. This is the kitchen.

0:24:350:24:37

See what you think of this, Alison.

0:24:380:24:40

-Oh!

-Yes.

0:24:440:24:45

A red range.

0:24:450:24:46

-How about that?

-That's awesome, isn't it?

0:24:460:24:49

Yeah.

0:24:490:24:50

Alison and Derek were also impressed by the five bedrooms this property

0:24:510:24:55

delivered. Outside, along with the walled garden,

0:24:550:24:59

a double garage had been converted into a dream hobby space,

0:24:590:25:03

something they had both been looking for.

0:25:030:25:05

Although it tipped over their preferred £500,000 budget,

0:25:050:25:09

they seemed determined to make it theirs.

0:25:090:25:11

I think the house has the wow factor.

0:25:130:25:16

I am certainly very, very impressed.

0:25:160:25:18

I can see us living here.

0:25:180:25:20

Derek and Alison forged ahead with buying that handsome property.

0:25:200:25:24

Over the past few years,

0:25:240:25:26

they've made some homely changes and become involved

0:25:260:25:29

with the local church community.

0:25:290:25:31

So, two memorable house tour highlights there but now,

0:25:310:25:35

let's set our sights on where the journey started for the next couple

0:25:350:25:39

I'm revisiting, Rick and Dee.

0:25:390:25:41

Moving from a town or city to the countryside can feel like

0:25:420:25:47

a huge leap into the unknown.

0:25:470:25:49

It's never easy finding the perfect property in the right location,

0:25:490:25:55

but add another factor, a third person to consider,

0:25:550:25:58

and chances are it becomes even more of a challenge.

0:25:580:26:02

That was certainly the case back in 2013 when Rick and Dee from Ilford,

0:26:030:26:08

Essex, asked for our help

0:26:080:26:10

in relocating to the Somerset countryside.

0:26:100:26:13

The sale of Rick's mum, Ruby's, home was helping to fund the move

0:26:130:26:17

and she planned to join them in the new house.

0:26:170:26:19

To ensure there was an income,

0:26:190:26:21

Rick wanted to continue his dog grooming work.

0:26:210:26:24

I've spent the last two years building the business up

0:26:240:26:27

and it's beginning to really get going now.

0:26:270:26:30

When we met up in the West Country, Dee shared her very specific dream.

0:26:300:26:35

What are you after?

0:26:350:26:36

Absolutely ideally, I'd love a converted church.

0:26:360:26:39

Would you?

0:26:390:26:40

With £420,000, they were looking for at least three bedrooms,

0:26:400:26:45

including ground-floor living for Mum, Ruby,

0:26:450:26:48

space for the dog grooming business and some land.

0:26:480:26:51

Our first house, located in the village of Holcombe,

0:26:520:26:55

made quite a first impression.

0:26:550:26:57

Has it taken your breath away? DEE LAUGHS

0:26:580:27:00

Yeah, it really...

0:27:000:27:01

What's going through your mind?

0:27:020:27:04

Well, it's just a cottage in the country

0:27:050:27:08

what people say when they want to retire, a cottage in the country,

0:27:080:27:11

it's absolutely gorgeous.

0:27:110:27:13

It did take my breath away as well actually.

0:27:130:27:15

Yeah, it's put a little lump in my throat.

0:27:150:27:17

You're both so emotional!

0:27:170:27:19

But that's good.

0:27:200:27:21

No, that's good. Well, it proves it means a lot to you.

0:27:210:27:24

Inside, this cottage exuded country charm.

0:27:250:27:29

Well, I think it's lovely.

0:27:290:27:31

-Do you think it's too small?

-Initial impressions, a small room.

0:27:310:27:33

-It's snug, isn't it?

-Yeah.

0:27:330:27:35

-It is.

-I like snug.

-It depends what else comes with it.

0:27:350:27:37

-I like snug.

-Yeah.

-The good news is there's more to see.

0:27:370:27:40

Oh.

0:27:400:27:41

Log burners were a focal point in both the sitting room

0:27:410:27:44

and dining area.

0:27:440:27:45

An additional games room provided a work space for Rick's dog grooming,

0:27:450:27:50

but we took stock of the potential here in the kitchen.

0:27:500:27:52

Oh, this is very sweet.

0:27:540:27:56

It's not a kitchen diner but...

0:27:560:27:59

-No.

-Now, with this cottage, even though this was extended,

0:27:590:28:02

they've sort of done it in keeping with the rest of the cottage.

0:28:020:28:05

It's small - plenty of small rooms, rather than one big open space.

0:28:050:28:10

-Mmm.

-It's got everything you need, hasn't it?

0:28:100:28:12

And I suppose you've got the dining area

0:28:120:28:15

as almost integral to the kitchen.

0:28:150:28:17

Initial thoughts is kitchen's too small.

0:28:170:28:19

-Yeah.

-But the budget we've got,

0:28:190:28:22

we're going to have to make compromises

0:28:220:28:23

so it really does depend on how the rest of it hangs together.

0:28:230:28:27

Upstairs, there were three good-sized bedrooms

0:28:270:28:30

plus a countryside view to wake up to.

0:28:300:28:34

-Oh...

-She's spotted it.

-..wow!

0:28:340:28:36

Can you see out here, Rick?

0:28:360:28:37

Have a look, Rick.

0:28:370:28:38

-Oh, wow!

-HE LAUGHS

0:28:400:28:43

How fantastic is that?

0:28:430:28:45

-Fantastic.

-You don't see views like that every day, do you?

0:28:450:28:48

No, you don't. And a pond as well.

0:28:480:28:50

So, does that come with the property?

0:28:500:28:51

Guess what? It does.

0:28:510:28:53

-Fantastic.

-You're kidding.

-No. Three quarters of an acre.

0:28:530:28:57

Oh.

0:28:570:28:58

It was a truly memorable reaction

0:28:580:29:01

and given the added bonus of a double garage and workshop,

0:29:010:29:05

Rick and Dee were left wondering just what this home

0:29:050:29:07

-was on the market for.

-I think I've got to say...

0:29:070:29:11

415?

0:29:110:29:13

I'm going to come in with a fairly optimistic 390.

0:29:130:29:18

The owners would like offers in excess

0:29:180:29:21

-of £350,000.

-Oh, wow!

-Mmm.

0:29:210:29:25

It's unbelievable, really.

0:29:250:29:28

Unbelievable.

0:29:280:29:30

It seemed our job was done but there were two more houses to see.

0:29:300:29:35

In the village of High Ham, we'd lined up a strong second contender.

0:29:350:29:40

So, this time, we're going to show you a cottage that's even older

0:29:400:29:43

than the first one.

0:29:430:29:45

-And here it is.

-Oh, my goodness!

0:29:450:29:47

This time, believed to be about three or 400 years old.

0:29:470:29:51

How much of this property do you think would be yours?

0:29:510:29:54

Well, initially, I thought up to that drainpipe.

0:29:540:29:58

And then I was hoping it's all of it.

0:29:580:30:00

You'd be right. The whole thing. DEE GASPS

0:30:000:30:03

It's just as awe-inspiring as the first one.

0:30:030:30:06

Shall we head inside?

0:30:060:30:07

-Yes, please.

-Please.

0:30:070:30:08

First impressions of surprise and then delight continued

0:30:100:30:14

when they saw the interior features,

0:30:140:30:16

including an unusual fireplace in the living room

0:30:160:30:19

which conjured up images of cosy winter nights.

0:30:190:30:23

A granny bonnet, apparently, it's called.

0:30:230:30:25

-I don't think I've ever seen one like it.

-No.

0:30:250:30:28

And there's a bread oven on the right.

0:30:280:30:30

I love that fireplace.

0:30:300:30:31

Fireplace is fantastic.

0:30:310:30:33

Yeah.

0:30:330:30:34

They were also pleased when they saw the generous proportions

0:30:340:30:37

of the kitchen-diner.

0:30:370:30:38

-Big enough kitchen?

-Yeah, it's lovely.

0:30:380:30:41

This space is exactly the kind of thing that we...

0:30:410:30:45

It's what we'd envisaged.

0:30:450:30:46

This is what you had in mind?

0:30:460:30:47

-Yeah.

-Well, that's good.

0:30:470:30:49

Through the door you've got a study.

0:30:490:30:51

This provided a good option for the ground-floor living

0:30:520:30:55

Rick's mum would need. What's more,

0:30:550:30:57

Rick had his requested work space in an area currently used to run a

0:30:570:31:01

clothing business. Then upstairs, in the four-bedroom accommodation,

0:31:010:31:06

they had an emotional vision of what their move to the country

0:31:060:31:10

could deliver.

0:31:100:31:11

It's like being inside a Van Gogh painting.

0:31:120:31:15

That's just incredible.

0:31:170:31:19

Think how that's going to change...

0:31:190:31:21

-Yeah.

-..through the seasons.

0:31:210:31:22

Yeah, yeah. Well, this is why we want to move, isn't it?

0:31:220:31:25

I can see you're getting a little bit teary.

0:31:250:31:27

I'm just loving it, yeah.

0:31:270:31:28

Yeah, no, it's...it's stunning.

0:31:280:31:31

Speechless, again.

0:31:310:31:32

-Speechless.

-That doesn't happen very often.

0:31:320:31:35

There were deep breaths all round as we headed out to see what they would

0:31:380:31:42

make of the half-acre plot, which included a small orchard.

0:31:420:31:46

-Fabulous.

-It's lovely.

-It's absolutely wonderful.

0:31:460:31:49

-Yeah.

-It's a good size.

0:31:490:31:52

So, would they be able to guess the price of this idyllic slice

0:31:520:31:56

-of country life?

-I'm going to take a stab...

0:31:560:31:59

385.

0:31:590:32:01

I'm going to try 395.

0:32:010:32:03

The asking price is £395,000.

0:32:030:32:06

Oh, no!

0:32:060:32:09

All very much on the money at property two,

0:32:090:32:12

but could we go one better?

0:32:120:32:15

Our mystery offering, located in the village of Charlton Adam, challenged

0:32:150:32:19

Dee's dream by presenting her with the reality.

0:32:190:32:23

With our mystery house, we're going to show you this property.

0:32:230:32:26

You are kidding me.

0:32:260:32:28

-No.

-That's not really?

0:32:280:32:29

Yes. It is.

0:32:290:32:30

It's an old schoolhouse.

0:32:300:32:32

-That's fantastic.

-And it was a chapel.

0:32:320:32:34

-DEE GASPS

-How do you manage it?

0:32:340:32:37

-Amazed.

-Yes?

0:32:370:32:38

Speechless again.

0:32:380:32:39

My first impression when we walked along the road and this was kind of

0:32:400:32:43

at the end of the road,

0:32:430:32:45

I thought, "Surely they have not managed to completely

0:32:450:32:49

"fill all my wishes and got me a little church."

0:32:490:32:53

It seemed that's what we'd done.

0:32:530:32:56

I think we should start off...

0:32:560:32:57

THEY LAUGH

0:32:570:33:00

..with the main chapel.

0:33:000:33:01

Come in.

0:33:040:33:07

It's just... I can't believe it!

0:33:070:33:10

But you've got the mullion features, haven't you?

0:33:100:33:12

Leaded light windows...

0:33:120:33:15

My Christmas tree's already in.

0:33:150:33:16

My crib.

0:33:180:33:19

The wood burner's going.

0:33:210:33:23

And just look at that stained-glass window.

0:33:230:33:27

Would you like to see a little bit more?

0:33:270:33:29

-I'd love to.

-I think you... Oh, she's gone again.

0:33:290:33:31

Right, let's keep going.

0:33:310:33:32

We've lost her. Come on.

0:33:320:33:33

Just mind the slight slope leading into...

0:33:360:33:38

..a rather large kitchen.

0:33:400:33:42

-Oh, yeah.

-Is it larger than you were predicting?

0:33:420:33:44

I've lost all ability to predict at the moment, so...

0:33:440:33:47

Wondering if our kitchen table would fit in this space or not.

0:33:500:33:53

That's my only initial concern.

0:33:530:33:56

It provided not only living space for the two of them but also had

0:33:570:34:01

ground-floor accommodation for Rick's mum.

0:34:010:34:03

Upstairs, off the impressive galleried landing,

0:34:050:34:07

there were two further bedrooms,

0:34:070:34:09

one a light double with leaded windows and its own ensuite.

0:34:090:34:14

But I couldn't wait to see how they would react to a stunning feature in

0:34:140:34:18

the master.

0:34:180:34:20

You have...

0:34:200:34:21

HE CHUCKLES ..your own stained-glass window.

0:34:210:34:25

Set me off again. Unbelievable!

0:34:250:34:28

The mystery twist here was that it didn't come with the outside space

0:34:290:34:32

they'd asked for. But would they compromise on that,

0:34:320:34:36

given there was a detached stone coach house in the walled courtyard,

0:34:360:34:40

offering scope for the dog-grooming business?

0:34:400:34:43

At the moment, it's divided up,

0:34:430:34:44

you've got the garage part underneath.

0:34:440:34:46

Potentially, the dog-grooming upstairs.

0:34:460:34:49

That's a very good thought.

0:34:490:34:50

-Yeah.

-Very good thought.

0:34:500:34:52

Well, we've all got smiles on our faces.

0:34:520:34:54

Let's hope that remains for guess the price.

0:34:540:34:56

So, Rick, would you like to go first?

0:34:560:34:59

I'm going to come in with 425.

0:34:590:35:01

I'm going to be slightly optimistic and finish it at 420.

0:35:010:35:06

The asking price is...

0:35:060:35:08

-£375,000.

-You're kidding.

0:35:080:35:11

No.

0:35:110:35:12

I think you should be kissing Nicki!

0:35:140:35:16

Yes.

0:35:190:35:20

So, extraordinary reactions from Dee to all three of our properties,

0:35:200:35:25

but ultimately,

0:35:250:35:26

did they stick to their original brief and go for one of the earlier

0:35:260:35:30

character cottages that delivered the requested land

0:35:300:35:33

they were so keen on?

0:35:330:35:35

They love the natural features of the first property...

0:35:350:35:38

-Oh!

-It's definitely a wow, isn't it?

0:35:380:35:40

It really is a wow.

0:35:400:35:42

-I'd say it's bordering on a lake rather than just a pond.

-Incredible.

0:35:420:35:45

..and the fabulous outlook over the surrounding countryside in

0:35:450:35:49

-the second.

-Aw, it's great, isn't it?

-Mmm.

0:35:490:35:52

So every bedroom has that beautiful view.

0:35:520:35:55

Or did the mystery property tempt them to do a complete U-turn?

0:35:550:36:00

I don't think I have ever had tears of joy for all three houses before

0:36:010:36:07

or since. Rick and Dee were dream house hunters

0:36:070:36:11

and I could do no wrong.

0:36:110:36:13

And as often the case,

0:36:130:36:15

it was the mystery house that was the favourite

0:36:150:36:18

and their list of priorities just seemed to fade away.

0:36:180:36:22

Now, it definitely didn't have the large garden they were after

0:36:220:36:25

but what it did have was bags of character - and they loved it.

0:36:250:36:31

So much so, they are now the proud owners of the converted chapel.

0:36:310:36:35

But when I last saw the property, it was unfurnished,

0:36:350:36:38

it was completely empty,

0:36:380:36:40

so I can't wait to see what they've done and how it looks today.

0:36:400:36:43

SHE LAUGHS

0:36:480:36:50

-Hello.

-Hello, Nicki.

-Hi, Nicki.

-Oh, it's been a long time.

0:36:500:36:55

And what a transformation.

0:36:550:36:58

From that main reception room and it's impressive mullion windows,

0:36:580:37:02

to the master bedroom which had Dee in tears.

0:37:020:37:05

It's been two years since they completed their purchase

0:37:070:37:11

and the whole house and garden now has their stamp all over it.

0:37:110:37:17

You've done the most amazing job.

0:37:180:37:21

Tell me it feels like home.

0:37:210:37:23

Oh, it does.

0:37:230:37:25

Just came here and it felt like home straightaway.

0:37:250:37:27

So, it has been a home from day one.

0:37:270:37:29

Yeah.

0:37:290:37:31

But it's not all happy news.

0:37:310:37:33

Sadly, a few months after making the move with them,

0:37:330:37:36

Rick's mum, Ruby, passed away.

0:37:360:37:39

She became more confused as the year went on as to where she was.

0:37:390:37:44

-She had dementia.

-But the people in the village embraced her, totally.

0:37:440:37:49

-Did they?

-They really did.

-Oh, they loved her.

0:37:490:37:51

-Absolutely.

-Right from day one.

0:37:510:37:53

I know she was a very important part of your lives and, obviously,

0:37:530:37:56

we are very sorry to hear the news that she has passed away.

0:37:560:37:59

Just wish she could've enjoyed it a little bit more, but

0:37:590:38:02

she was at that stage of her life and it was tough.

0:38:020:38:05

-It was difficult.

-Yeah.

0:38:050:38:06

So, let's talk about village life.

0:38:060:38:08

How quickly did you both make friends here?

0:38:080:38:12

Oh, it was very quick. As soon as we arrived,

0:38:120:38:16

people came and introduced themselves, welcomed us.

0:38:160:38:20

If you go somewhere in London, nobody really notices...

0:38:200:38:23

-True.

-..come here, everybody said welcome,

0:38:230:38:27

-asked how we were settling in.

-Aw!

-They were really caring.

-Those early days...

0:38:270:38:30

-Those early days were amazing...

-..so important.

0:38:300:38:33

Now, one of the requirements Dee and Rick gave us

0:38:330:38:36

was space for Rick's dog-grooming business.

0:38:360:38:39

We thought there was potential in the former coach house located

0:38:390:38:42

in the walled courtyard.

0:38:420:38:44

And, boy, have they run with it!

0:38:440:38:47

In the last six months, the business has really got going.

0:38:470:38:50

And today, Rufus is booked in for his regular haircut.

0:38:500:38:55

He's a Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla

0:38:550:38:57

and is one of many of Rick's new clients.

0:38:570:39:00

When I was in London,

0:39:010:39:03

I was doing a lot of show dogs which had very hairy coats,

0:39:030:39:06

but the working-type dogs, the springers, the cocker spaniels,

0:39:060:39:11

they probably only need grooming two, three times a year

0:39:110:39:14

cos the working dogs have a less hairy coat but the owners do like to

0:39:140:39:20

keep them under control.

0:39:200:39:22

This one, if he was just left alone, he would get very, very long,

0:39:220:39:26

very wiry and very scruffy.

0:39:260:39:29

And I do a lot of things like springer spaniels,

0:39:290:39:33

which are very active dogs that get out there in the dirty fields and

0:39:330:39:38

those customers like their dogs completely stripped,

0:39:380:39:40

so they don't have all the mud and bring the mud home.

0:39:400:39:43

And it's not just about keeping the coats of the local canines in good

0:39:440:39:48

condition. It's also been a great introduction to the whole community.

0:39:480:39:54

Because of Rufus, I've got to know Phil, because of that,

0:39:540:39:57

I'm now on the committee for the local village hall.

0:39:570:40:00

-So...

-It's very sociable in this village, having a dog.

0:40:000:40:04

If you haven't got a dog, you're not really in with the people!

0:40:040:40:07

Look... He's desperate to go for a walk, now, aren't you?

0:40:070:40:10

-Go on, then. Cheerio.

-See you later. Bye.

-Bye.

0:40:100:40:13

And from one four-legged friend to another.

0:40:150:40:18

The rural relocation means Dee is finally fulfilling a childhood wish

0:40:180:40:23

of learning to ride.

0:40:230:40:25

Dee, you look as pretty as a picture there with these two horses.

0:40:250:40:29

-Who do we have?

-Thank you, Nicki.

0:40:290:40:30

We've got Mambo here for you,

0:40:300:40:32

absolutely gorgeous, and this is Blue.

0:40:320:40:34

And is this the horse that you normally ride?

0:40:340:40:37

I only started last October, so I've just been riding for a year.

0:40:370:40:40

I come here every week.

0:40:400:40:42

I've been riding Blue for the last four or five weeks.

0:40:420:40:45

We've been getting on very well, haven't we, Blue?

0:40:450:40:48

Most of Somerset's 622 miles of bridleways are located in Exmoor

0:40:480:40:53

and the Quantock Hills.

0:40:530:40:55

In the rest of the county,

0:40:550:40:56

heading for a hack often requires riding along the country lanes,

0:40:560:41:00

which makes it all the more important to build up good control

0:41:000:41:04

and technique. That's what Dee is doing today,

0:41:040:41:07

as instructor Alice Darby puts us both through our paces in the riding

0:41:070:41:11

-school arena.

-Super.

0:41:110:41:13

Good.

0:41:130:41:15

That's it, kick, kick, Dee. Look up, where you're going.

0:41:150:41:17

Always looking up and forward.

0:41:170:41:19

We're going to need to do two bounces and then go rising.

0:41:190:41:23

So we change our trot diagonal, that's it, keep going, Nicki.

0:41:230:41:26

Squeeze that leg round him.

0:41:260:41:29

That's it. Well done. Super.

0:41:290:41:31

That rising trot is coming along nicely,

0:41:310:41:34

so all that remains is to find out how pleased they are with their new

0:41:340:41:38

country life.

0:41:380:41:40

I was going to ask, on a scale of one to ten,

0:41:400:41:43

how happy this move has made you?

0:41:430:41:45

-Oh, ten.

-Ten.

-Without a shadow of a doubt.

0:41:450:41:50

Aw, look, she's going!

0:41:500:41:52

Dee, one of my lasting memories of you were the tears.

0:41:520:41:56

-Tears of joy.

-Yes.

0:41:570:42:00

It is just such a wonderful life.

0:42:000:42:02

It really is.

0:42:030:42:04

We've got beautiful scenery and you look over and you think,

0:42:040:42:09

"God, I've died and gone to heaven."

0:42:090:42:10

I have to pinch myself almost every day to say,

0:42:100:42:13

"Is this absolutely real?"

0:42:130:42:15

It is just stunning.

0:42:150:42:17

I am absolutely thrilled you're both having such a brilliant

0:42:170:42:21

new life here in the country in your splendid home.

0:42:210:42:26

It's wonderful.

0:42:260:42:27

I'm so pleased that not only are both our couples delighted

0:42:330:42:37

with the homes we've found them

0:42:370:42:38

but they've immersed themselves in country life.

0:42:380:42:41

Making such a move can be a daunting experience,

0:42:410:42:45

but embracing it with open arms has certainly paid off and they all look

0:42:450:42:51

incredibly happy.

0:42:510:42:53

If you dream of escaping to the country in Scotland, Wales, England

0:42:550:43:00

or Northern Ireland and would also like our help,

0:43:000:43:03

why not apply online at...

0:43:030:43:04

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