East Midlands I Escaped to the Country


East Midlands

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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

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I would imagine I'd be seeing a house like this. Never, ever.

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'But for many years Escape To The Country has been supporting

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'countless people on the hunt for a new home in a more rural location.'

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-What do we think of this?

-Oh, my. Chocolate box!

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'We've travelled to the most picturesque pockets of Britain...'

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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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How pretty is that?

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'..that our buyers just couldn't resist.'

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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'm bowled over. I'm knocked for six.

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I can't speak.

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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 East Midlands, and this is the River Trent -

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an important transport artery in this part of the world

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since Roman times.

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Now used mainly for leisure craft rather than working boats,

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the waterway cuts its way through the region...

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and we're finding it's becoming an increasingly popular search area

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for house buyers looking to make that country escape.

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Which brings me to the reason for my visit and it's an exciting one,

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as I'm meeting some of our former

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Escape To The Country property buyers

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who made the big leap and changed their lives forever.

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I'm returning to the East Midlands counties

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of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.

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Later on in the show, I'll be meeting retiree Susan

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to find out how her new-found community in the country

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has given her the social opportunities

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that were lacking from her former life in the capital.

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But first, I'll be catching up with my house-hunting couple

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Niall and Barry, who are lucky enough to wake up

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to the most mesmerising Peak District views every single day

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after I helped them to find their perfect escape home

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some years ago.

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Back in 2009, Niall -

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a business development manager and textile designer -

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was struggling as he was living in a Manchester suburb

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more than 20 miles away from his partner Barry,

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a research scientist.

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So together they hatched a plan to sell their respective properties,

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pool their resources and establish a more peaceful way of life

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in the Derbyshire countryside.

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It's just very chaotic,

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all the travelling around we have to do to try and sort our weekend out.

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With being in separate houses as well and both having busy jobs,

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quite often we'll only see each other at the weekend.

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Maybe one evening in the week.

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And...you know,

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we need to move on from that.

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For Barry, he was hopeful that the beautiful Peak District countryside

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would give him inspiration

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for his hobbies of hiking and landscape photography -

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but for Niall, it was the potential house style

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that would need to capture his imagination.

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Personally, I'd be looking for something with character to it.

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So maybe Victorian or even Georgian-type of features.

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Basically, because I like that type of architecture

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and I like that type of interior.

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So with plans in place to tie the knot

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and make their first joint property purchase,

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they had a lot to organise - and that's where I came in.

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They pictured their ideal home

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being a detached period property with a large kitchen,

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separate dining room for entertaining

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and a good-sized garden.

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And to find this they had set themselves a healthy budget

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of £700,000.

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Our property hunting journey together started in the small town

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of Whaley Bridge on the edge of the Peak District.

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Our first house had a handsome exterior.

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And here it is. This is your first property.

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As you can see, it's Edwardian.

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Built in 1904.

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What do you think as you're standing here?

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It's got little turrets.

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That's giving it a bit more character, as well, there.

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It's obviously in a really nice setting with all the greenery here,

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so the gardens must be great.

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-Yes, it looks fab.

-Let's go and have a look inside.

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-Let's explore.

-That's the exciting bit, yes.

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'A large welcoming entrance hallway led to three reception rooms.

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'One, a comfortable living room.

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'Another, a cosy snug.

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'And the last of which was dedicated to formal dining.'

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So you guys love entertaining.

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-Yes.

-And ideally, you wanted a separate dining room.

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That's right, yes. I think it's nice to have more of an area contained

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so that you don't feel as though you are sprawl through a kitchen area.

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It's got another lovely fireplace.

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Yeah, and we've got a brilliant view there as it is.

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I can see you are both taking it all in.

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'At the end of a long hallway lay the kitchen,

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'which, it's fair to say, did need updating.

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'Upstairs, there was no shortage of room for visiting guests

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'with three double bedrooms, one of which was used as a study.

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'A smaller single room.

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'Plus a spacious master.'

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It's a good size.

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Look at the view. Fantastic.

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-It's fantastic.

-There is your reservoir.

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Yes! It's just a perfect room to be able to do something with,

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put your own stamp on it and make it the way you'd like it to be.

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'Despite some work needed in places,

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'the house received encouraging reactions,

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'and I felt confident the grounds wouldn't disappoint

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'with three separate areas to discover.'

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You didn't say there was a secret garden.

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This is the third part of your garden.

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Is this all for the house here?

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-All for the house.

-Right.

-Wow.

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So we're going to have to cut straight to money.

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How much do you think this house is currently on the market for?

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615?

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I imagine it's probably about 645.

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The current asking price is £675,000.

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-Gosh, that's a lot more than I was expecting.

-Yes.

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So not at the very top of your budget,

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but bearing in mind you would want to do work on the property,

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something to think about.

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So do you fancy having another little look around the house?

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-Yes.

-That would be great.

-Go on, have a wander

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-and I'll catch up with you in a little while.

-All right. Thanks.

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At £675,000, this large Edwardian home was under budget by £25,000.

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It had clearly got them thinking

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about what their money would buy them in the Peak District.

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-Have you seen enough?

-Yes, I think so.

-I think so.

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-A good start?

-Yes.

-Good.

-Really nice.

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-We've got plenty more to see so let's hit the road.

-OK.

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The next day, our search continued and took us to the village of Combs.

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Knowing that Niall and Barry love Georgian and Victorian architecture,

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I had high hopes for this next home

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which was part of a Grade-II listed former manor house.

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I love these great big chimneys on the top.

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It's a very grand looking house.

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'Although it wasn't detached, inside gave them space in abundance.'

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So here's your entrance.

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This is really lovely. Yes, really nice.

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It's got all the period features that hopefully you're after.

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It is beautiful, actually.

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Now, Niall, I know this is a very important room for you.

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It's beautiful, yes. I wasn't expecting it to look like this,

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the kitchen, but it's fantastic.

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It's so big, as well.

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You both love entertaining

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but it's important that we get the reception rooms right, isn't it?

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-So let's see what you think of the next room.

-OK.

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Gosh, this is fantastic.

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It's so big. I wasn't expecting this at all.

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It's huge.

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You'd feel like Lord of the Manor living here, wouldn't you?

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You've found something fantastic here.

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I really love this. It's brilliant.

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I'm glad you love this room,

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but I've got another one now to show you.

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-Fantastic.

-I feel a bit actually lost for words, to be honest,

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because it is absolutely fantastic.

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'Praise and stunned reactions for this character home so far.

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'Upstairs, the four bedrooms were laid out over two further floors.

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'Right up in the attic was a part-converted double room.

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'On the first floor was a large family bathroom and three bedrooms,

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'one used for storage, another a pretty double guest bedroom.

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'And lastly, the master.'

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That's lovely.

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I don't think we've got a bed big enough for there!

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I've got a super king-size.

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I still don't think it will be big enough!

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I mean, I can't believe the size of the rooms are so massive.

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Another fantastic view, like a picture through the window there.

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Yes.

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The glorious countryside vistas were drawing them back outside,

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which is where we headed next.

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So this is the way to see the Peak District, with the sun shining.

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Gosh.

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I mean, the view is just spectacular, isn't it?

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'As well as a shared tiered lawn,

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'the house also came with its own plot,

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'including a private terrace

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'and a parcel of land ideal for vegetable growing.'

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So we've seen the house, we've seen the gardens.

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You can't fail to be impressed by that spectacular view.

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But you're looking worried, Niall. It's time, isn't it?

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It's that money question.

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How much do you think this house is currently on the market for?

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That's the bit I was worried about

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because I think it's probably quite a lot over our budget,

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so I'm going to have to say probably 750.

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-OK, and the budget, at the top, was 700.

-Yeah.

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-Barry?

-Yes, I think it's probably 700 to 750,000.

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OK. The price for this property is £5 short of

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£500,000.

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My God!

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-That's fantastic!

-THEY LAUGH

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Yeah. 499,995.

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-Easy for some to say!

-I can't believe that.

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-That's amazing.

-I'm just dumbstruck, really.

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Good. Why don't you go and have another wander around.

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Take as long as you like and I'll catch up with you in a little while.

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-All right. Thank you.

-OK.

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Well, two very smiling faces.

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They're so pleasantly surprised, but how can you not be?

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I think this is the most confident I've ever felt with a property.

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I'm going to keep my fingers crossed.

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A shock to them both at some £200,000 below budget,

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this property offered Barry and Niall

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plenty of change in their pocket

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for what appeared to be their dream Derbyshire home.

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But we still had the mystery proposition to see

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in the heart of the Peak District National Park

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in the village of Calver.

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On the banks of the River Derwent,

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it was part of a former textile mill.

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So this is it. This is the total area for downstairs.

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What you see is what you get.

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-Open-plan then.

-Completely open-plan.

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Priced at £649,000,

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they quickly decided it was a project to far for them.

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I don't think I could see myself living here

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because I just feel as though it might be

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a little bit too restrictive.

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It's just somewhere that I don't really feel I would be at home.

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So with two serious contenders to weigh up the merits of,

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which would they finally press ahead with?

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The old Manor house was the clear favourite

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and they loved it so much they only went and bought it.

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They moved in about seven years ago -

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so, plenty of time to make a few alterations.

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So I'm really keen to see exactly what they've done.

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It was six months after our viewing

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that Barry and Niall became the formal owners

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of this beautiful property...

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and in the years since our house-hunting expedition,

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they not only made their first joint house purchase,

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they also tied the knot with a civil partnership.

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'They've certainly been busy - and I look forward to catching up.'

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Niall, Barry, hello.

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-It's been a long time.

-Lovely to see you again.

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I can't wait to see your home.

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-Come in.

-Thank you.

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Although it was a very well presented home when I was last here,

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Niall and Barry have completely transformed the place

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and put their own stamp and style to it,

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helped in no small part by Niall,

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who stopped working in the textiles industry last year

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and has recently set up business as an interior designer.

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Oh, my goodness. This is beautiful.

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I'd forgotten the size of the rooms.

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-Yes, great proportions.

-Amazing.

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We've done lots to this room.

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It's completely changed.

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There was a fairly boring stone fireplace

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so we've put in this fireplace,

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which, I believe, is Portoro marble, it's Italian.

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-From Italy.

-You've done a wonderful job.

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And, of course, you have that magnificent view.

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It is like a country retreat but it feels homely at the same time.

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Yes, we wanted to make the place feel a bit more like a country house

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so that's the reason for the decoration.

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We've tried to give it a little bit more of a grand feel

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when you walk in.

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As keen hosts with an eye for interiors,

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they're obviously proud

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of the stylish home they've created.

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But before they reveal more of what they've done,

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that view is calling me outside -

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so Niall is making us all a brew,

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and then we're going to have a proper catch up over a cuppa

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out on the terrace against that incredible backdrop.

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-Tea for you.

-Thank you.

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So tell me, how's it been in your not-so-new home now?

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I think we've sort of managed to get it the way we want it.

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We've got lots of challenges here.

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-The biggest issue we have is the wind, unfortunately.

-Really?

-Yes.

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We're about a thousand feet up here

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and many days it's blowing a gale and it's too windy to sit out.

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But when you get the nice days, it really is wonderful.

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I think you must have the best view in Derbyshire.

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In fact, you'd be pushed to beat that view anywhere in the UK.

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I mean, you couldn't paint that and do it justice really, could you?

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No, not at all.

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So do you have literally a diary ticking off who's coming to stay?

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Yes, we do tend to have a diary.

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It's on the board in the kitchen.

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Everybody wants to come and escape.

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The number of visitors does drop off in the winter, though.

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And how welcoming have your neighbours been

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and the local community when you first bought the property?

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I must say, everyone around here is amazing.

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We've got some great neighbours just across from us

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who, when we moved in initially,

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we obviously didn't know a soul on the road

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and they organised a party and invited everybody along the road

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and further afield. So that was a great introduction to people.

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How welcoming.

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And, Barry, what difference has it made to you living here?

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Hopefully more time for your hobbies,

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because you were very keen on landscape photography

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and also hiking, I seem to remember.

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It's very nice just to be able to just go straight out the front door

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rather than have to drive somewhere and plan it.

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You notice things like the wild orchids in the limestone valleys,

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which are beautiful.

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Every year in May, they come round again

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and you see all the seasonal variations.

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It is a wonderful place to be.

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You get some mornings now in the autumn

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where it's just mist in the bottom of the valley

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and that will lift gradually. Today, we've got beautiful sunshine.

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We can open the curtains in the winter

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and we've had this much snow overnight.

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So you just never really know what you're going to see

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and that's really one of the beautiful things about it.

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So you haven't been snowed in

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in the past seven years since you've been here?

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We have a few times, yes.

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-Have you?

-Yes.

-Well, you've both certainly whetted my appetite.

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I can't wait to have a look round.

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Actually, you can give me the tour this time!

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-We'd be delighted.

-Shall we?

-Yes, come on.

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'With the roles reversed today,

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'it's Niall and Barry who are leading the way.

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'We're entering back through the large formal dining room

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'where there's plenty of space

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'to display their possessions and objets d'art.

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'Heading right to the top of the house,

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'our next stop is the attic room,

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'which was used as storage when I was last here,

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'but now has been transformed for Niall's interior design business.'

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The studio.

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Yep, this is where it all happens.

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I think when you were here before this room was a bit of a junk room.

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It didn't look like this.

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And is this a project you are working on at the moment?

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These are just two boards I've put together

0:16:570:16:59

which are showing some new trends at the minute

0:16:590:17:02

that are coming onto the high street.

0:17:020:17:04

So it's nothing too adventurous for most people,

0:17:040:17:07

because I'm sure they'll be used to seeing them.

0:17:070:17:09

How wonderful to have a hobby and a business all in one.

0:17:090:17:13

I might ask to be a bit more nosy and see a few more of the rooms.

0:17:130:17:16

Of course. Yeah.

0:17:160:17:17

As we make our way back through the house

0:17:190:17:21

there's one more room they're eager for me to see,

0:17:210:17:24

which has definitely evolved since the last time I saw it.

0:17:240:17:28

Oh, now, I think bathrooms are worth getting excited about,

0:17:290:17:33

and this one certainly does it for me.

0:17:330:17:35

It's gorgeous. Did you do all the work yourself?

0:17:350:17:37

Well, we didn't do it ourselves, we got somebody to do it.

0:17:370:17:40

-Did you design it?

-Yes. We picked all the pieces.

0:17:400:17:43

We wanted to obviously change it completely because before,

0:17:430:17:46

it was like a boxed-in radiator.

0:17:460:17:48

The bath was very small.

0:17:480:17:50

I think it had probably been put in in the '80s,

0:17:500:17:52

so it was ready for a change.

0:17:520:17:54

We both love going in the garden.

0:17:540:17:56

And when you've been out in the garden all day,

0:17:560:17:59

there's nothing nicer than a good soak in the bath.

0:17:590:18:03

And then we have - would you call that a mural?

0:18:030:18:05

Are we allowed to call that a mural?

0:18:050:18:07

Yes, it's a mural. It's, sort of, a hint on a bathing-type of scene.

0:18:070:18:12

But the best scene is if you sit in the bath and look out the window.

0:18:120:18:16

And no-one looks back in, do they?

0:18:160:18:17

No. Not unless they've got stilts!

0:18:170:18:19

That is gorgeous.

0:18:190:18:22

It may be Niall who has the career in interior design,

0:18:220:18:25

but Barry isn't without creative vision too.

0:18:250:18:28

His passion for landscape photography is evident

0:18:280:18:31

throughout the home, where there is plenty of wall space

0:18:310:18:34

for his prints to take pride of place.

0:18:340:18:37

'And before I leave,

0:18:410:18:43

'Barry wants to take me to one of his favourite vantage points,

0:18:430:18:46

'high up on Chinley Churn,

0:18:460:18:48

'which is in the Dark Peak area of the National Park.

0:18:480:18:52

'This wilder and windier part of the northern peaks

0:18:520:18:55

'has been the inspiration

0:18:550:18:56

'for many of his photographs throughout the seasons.'

0:18:560:19:00

It's certainly breathtaking up here, isn't it?

0:19:000:19:02

In more ways than one.

0:19:020:19:03

I mean, how often do you manage to come up here hiking?

0:19:030:19:06

As often as I can really.

0:19:060:19:08

-Here we go. We can sit over here.

-Yes.

0:19:100:19:13

I'm ready for a rest!

0:19:130:19:15

It is the most splendid view up here, isn't it?

0:19:170:19:21

It's worth the climb.

0:19:210:19:22

Definitely. Although it is a little bit on the windy side.

0:19:220:19:25

It is a bit windy, a bit gusty.

0:19:250:19:27

So what can we see from this vantage point?

0:19:270:19:29

Well, we're looking west here

0:19:290:19:31

and you can see the city of Manchester over there.

0:19:310:19:35

It's got a huge cloud over it.

0:19:350:19:37

-Do you reckon they're going to get a downpour?

-It's raining as usual.

0:19:370:19:40

And then further round, that's Lyme Park over there,

0:19:400:19:44

-which is where they filmed Pride and Prejudice.

-Aha!

0:19:440:19:47

So, for the two of you, no regrets,

0:19:470:19:50

no change of heart about moving to Derbyshire?

0:19:500:19:53

-No, not at all.

-No.

0:19:530:19:54

-It feels like home?

-Definitely, yes. I travel quite a lot with my work,

0:19:560:20:00

but I always love coming home here the best.

0:20:000:20:02

Thank you both for bringing me up to one of your favourite spots.

0:20:020:20:05

It is glorious. We've been lucky with the weather.

0:20:050:20:09

It's been kind, although I think that rain is heading our way.

0:20:090:20:12

-I think so, yes.

-We should probably head back down.

0:20:120:20:15

It's going to be a lot easier going downhill, isn't it?

0:20:150:20:17

'What a wonderful walk, high in the Peaks,

0:20:170:20:20

'and a great trip down memory lane.

0:20:200:20:23

'Sampling a slice of Niall and Barry's country life first-hand

0:20:230:20:26

'has been a truly rewarding experience

0:20:260:20:29

'and makes my job worthwhile.'

0:20:290:20:31

Right across the British countryside we've seen house-buyers,

0:20:360:20:40

all with very different lifestyle ambitions,

0:20:400:20:43

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

0:20:430:20:46

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

0:20:460:20:50

which goes on to be accepted.

0:20:500:20:53

Coming up, a couple of those memorable highlights.

0:20:530:20:56

'It was in the summer of 2016 when Sonali Shah was in Derbyshire

0:21:000:21:05

'property shopping with Pat,

0:21:050:21:07

'who had her best friend Tula in tow for support.

0:21:070:21:10

'Pat had a £300,000 budget to leave Windsor in Berkshire

0:21:100:21:15

'and find a characterful home in a welcoming village.

0:21:150:21:18

'This end-of-terrace, built in 1912, seemed perfect.'

0:21:180:21:22

Oh, this is stunning.

0:21:220:21:26

Sorry.

0:21:270:21:28

That is just... Everything's stunning.

0:21:300:21:32

It looks amazing.

0:21:320:21:34

So tasteful.

0:21:340:21:35

-I'm moving in!

-SHE LAUGHS

0:21:360:21:38

'There was also a beautifully finished front reception room.'

0:21:400:21:43

I love the open stone fireplace. Love it.

0:21:430:21:48

'Then, upstairs, there were three bedrooms

0:21:480:21:50

'with views across the valley.'

0:21:500:21:52

I really, really like it.

0:21:520:21:53

Really like it.

0:21:530:21:54

'The attached price tag was music to Pat's ears.'

0:21:540:21:58

I think you might have gone slightly over. I will go 310.

0:21:580:22:02

It's actually currently on the market for just under 270,000.

0:22:020:22:08

-Wow.

-It's within your budget.

0:22:080:22:10

Gosh.

0:22:100:22:12

'Clearly smitten, Pat made an offer that was accepted the very next day

0:22:120:22:17

'and is now happily living the rural dream.

0:22:170:22:21

'One year earlier, in the spring of 2015,

0:22:210:22:24

'I found myself just outside the Peak District park borders

0:22:240:22:28

'at this Victorian home that started life as a humble pigsty.'

0:22:280:22:33

So our very first property, right in the heart of the village.

0:22:330:22:37

-Wow.

-It looks good. It looks very pretty.

0:22:370:22:40

'I was house-hunting with Darcie and Ian from Cambridgeshire.

0:22:400:22:44

'They had a budget of £400,000

0:22:440:22:46

'to find a period house with a home office and a kitchen-diner.'

0:22:460:22:51

I'm really liking it. It's a well-proportioned room.

0:22:510:22:54

It's got the beams in the ceiling, but they're not oppressive.

0:22:540:22:58

I could move in and live here for some time

0:22:580:23:01

-before feeling I needed to change things.

-I agree.

0:23:010:23:04

'There was a generous sitting room and three comfortable bedrooms,

0:23:040:23:08

'but a separate annexe delivered more space than they imagined.'

0:23:080:23:12

So the final part of this house tour is this annexe.

0:23:120:23:16

-Wow. It's really cute.

-Yes, I like this.

-And for working at home,

0:23:160:23:20

it gives you that feeling of leaving and going to the office.

0:23:200:23:23

-Yes.

-You can lock it away at night and not have it in the lounge.

0:23:230:23:26

But would you be tempted to come up here

0:23:260:23:28

-and check your e-mails at midnight?

-No.

0:23:280:23:32

'And the house had a favourable price tag too.'

0:23:320:23:35

Well, the asking price is £310,000.

0:23:350:23:40

-You're...

-THEY LAUGH

0:23:400:23:42

-You nearly said it, didn't you? But, yes.

-You're kidding. 310?!

0:23:420:23:45

Interesting, yes.

0:23:450:23:47

'At £90,000 under their budget, it was a steal,

0:23:470:23:51

'and so became their much longed for country home.

0:23:510:23:55

'Another success story in our rural hall of fame.'

0:23:550:23:58

I often find that when people plan a move to the countryside

0:24:010:24:04

it's not just for the peace and quiet it affords.

0:24:040:24:08

It usually results in space, too -

0:24:080:24:10

lots more space for your money.

0:24:100:24:13

There's also the prospect of a sense of community

0:24:130:24:16

that can be lacking in cities.

0:24:160:24:18

That's exactly what Susan from London was looking for

0:24:180:24:23

with her move to Nottinghamshire,

0:24:230:24:25

guided by Mr Countryside himself, Jules Hudson.

0:24:250:24:29

'It was in 2013 that retired teacher Susan drafted us in

0:24:310:24:36

'to help her escape her small two-bedroom semidetached house

0:24:360:24:40

'right next to the Thames in London's Docklands.'

0:24:400:24:44

'I moved down to London nearly 40 years ago to start teaching,

0:24:440:24:47

'and because I've always worked in London,'

0:24:470:24:50

I've not been able to afford the sort of property

0:24:500:24:52

that I would really like to live in.

0:24:520:24:54

Now I'm looking forward to upsizing

0:24:540:24:57

and having the sort of space that I've always wanted.

0:24:570:25:01

So she wanted to increase her square footage

0:25:010:25:04

and cut back on the city chaos.

0:25:040:25:07

I'm getting a little bit tired of the hustle and bustle of London.

0:25:070:25:11

Waiting for buses, being squashed on Tubes.

0:25:110:25:14

I want to escape the crowds and live in a rural community,

0:25:140:25:17

village community, where the pace of life is much slower

0:25:170:25:22

and I could join in with lots of local events.

0:25:220:25:25

'And to help support her on the hunt for the perfect country property,

0:25:250:25:29

'Susan called on her close friend, Leslie.

0:25:290:25:33

'She is the person that I turn to for advice.

0:25:330:25:35

'She can see possibilities where I can't.

0:25:350:25:37

'I see my role as helping to keep Susan's feet on the ground.'

0:25:370:25:41

With the location fixed on Nottinghamshire,

0:25:430:25:45

Susan was after a character property with three bedrooms

0:25:450:25:49

and a large country kitchen,

0:25:490:25:50

all in a location with a welcoming community -

0:25:500:25:54

and to find this,

0:25:540:25:56

she had set a budget of £330,000.

0:25:560:25:59

'The first destination Jules took Susan and Leslie to

0:26:060:26:09

'was the small village of Epperstone

0:26:090:26:11

'where, in an exclusive development

0:26:110:26:13

'within the grounds of a historic manor,

0:26:130:26:16

'they came to the first house.'

0:26:160:26:18

-So property number one. There we are.

-It's beautiful.

0:26:180:26:22

The thing we liked about it was that given where you're coming from,

0:26:220:26:25

where obviously you've got neighbours and it's quite secure

0:26:250:26:28

and it feels very at home,

0:26:280:26:29

this offers you the same sort of feel but in a lovely village,

0:26:290:26:33

Epperstone, which has got loads going on.

0:26:330:26:35

WI, lots of groups, the church is over there.

0:26:350:26:38

You know, there's a lot of community here for you to get involved with.

0:26:380:26:41

And something with a bit of character about it.

0:26:410:26:43

-It certainly has.

-Let's have a look inside and see what you think.

0:26:430:26:46

Right. In you come.

0:26:490:26:52

Let's start with the living room.

0:26:520:26:55

The whole thing is open-plan, as you can see.

0:26:570:27:00

-It's lovely.

-How does it compare with where you are at the moment

0:27:000:27:03

in Surrey Quays?

0:27:030:27:05

This is much bigger.

0:27:050:27:06

-This is upsizing?

-This is upsizing.

0:27:060:27:09

-Good.

-This is upsizing plus.

0:27:090:27:11

And very cosy. I think you will feel very at home and safe here.

0:27:110:27:15

-Yes.

-It's really cosy.

0:27:150:27:16

-I'm putting myself in here already.

-THEY LAUGH

0:27:160:27:20

Well, we haven't seen the rest of it yet.

0:27:200:27:22

-No.

-The kitchen is through here.

0:27:220:27:24

There.

0:27:250:27:26

-Oh, it's lovely.

-It's open-plan.

0:27:270:27:30

-The whole thing.

-It's the whole space in one.

0:27:300:27:33

I love it. I really do.

0:27:330:27:36

-Yes?

-So do I.

-Is she telling the truth, Leslie?

0:27:360:27:38

-She is.

-I am.

0:27:380:27:40

You'll know because I might start crying in a minute.

0:27:400:27:42

-Oh, right!

-You'll REALLY know!

0:27:420:27:45

'Just off the kitchen, the staircase led them up to the first floor.'

0:27:450:27:51

So what have we got up here then?

0:27:510:27:53

Family bathroom. Very nice again.

0:27:530:27:56

A good double in there, which I'm thinking, Leslie, would be you.

0:27:560:27:59

Yes, that's my room.

0:27:590:28:01

There's another single there.

0:28:010:28:04

And so this is your bit, Sue,

0:28:040:28:07

-we're thinking.

-Oh, wow.

0:28:070:28:10

Come on in, Leslie. You're hiding.

0:28:100:28:13

-There you go.

-I love that.

0:28:130:28:15

The vaulted ceiling, that's so nice.

0:28:150:28:17

You've got loads of built-in storage over there.

0:28:170:28:19

And the en-suite behind us.

0:28:190:28:21

-Yes.

-We walked past that.

-With its own sort of frosted glass.

0:28:210:28:25

I was going to say, what's that?

0:28:250:28:26

Well, it just lets in a bit more light.

0:28:260:28:28

-Of course.

-I think it's lovely.

0:28:280:28:30

All in all, this is a really interesting package for you.

0:28:300:28:33

It certainly is, yes.

0:28:330:28:34

'That wrapped up what appeared to be a very positive tour

0:28:340:28:38

'of house number one.

0:28:380:28:39

'All that remained was to check out the garden

0:28:390:28:42

'and to work out the asking price.'

0:28:420:28:45

What you see is pretty much what you get,

0:28:450:28:47

but if your green fingers get any greener,

0:28:470:28:50

the good news is that they're about to open some allotments

0:28:500:28:53

-within the development.

-Perfect.

-And the nice thing there, of course,

0:28:530:28:57

is you haven't got to go and buy it so you can have a go,

0:28:570:28:59

and if you get bored or it becomes too much, you can just give it back.

0:28:590:29:03

You also get a garage with it.

0:29:030:29:04

So let's have a think about the price, shall we?

0:29:040:29:09

You've got £330,000 to spend.

0:29:090:29:11

-Susan, make me an offer.

-Yep.

0:29:110:29:14

I hope I can afford it. It better not be more.

0:29:160:29:19

329,950.

0:29:190:29:21

OK, yes. Leslie?

0:29:210:29:24

I think it must be at the top end of the budget, as well.

0:29:240:29:27

But I'm going to go for 325.

0:29:270:29:30

-325.

-(5,000 change.)

-5,000 change.

0:29:300:29:34

-Wouldn't that be nice?

-That would be nice.

0:29:340:29:36

The good news is that that's exactly what it is.

0:29:360:29:39

-No!

-THEY LAUGH

0:29:390:29:42

-She won!

-This could be yours for 325, yes.

0:29:420:29:46

-325.

-How about that?

0:29:460:29:47

I think it's been a really, really good start.

0:29:470:29:50

-It has.

-It's been a great start.

-Right then, off you go.

0:29:500:29:54

Go and have another look around and I'll catch up with you later.

0:29:540:29:56

-OK.

-Brilliant.

0:29:560:29:58

Well, I have to confess that when it comes to property number ones

0:29:580:30:01

in this game, they don't often get much better than this one.

0:30:010:30:05

'The first property was a delightful character cottage

0:30:050:30:09

'that was £5,000 under budget and nailed Susan's wish list.'

0:30:090:30:13

The house is absolutely gorgeous.

0:30:130:30:15

It's just such a beautiful, light, airy space.

0:30:150:30:19

I love it. I would love to entertain people in this space.

0:30:190:30:23

I'm very excited thinking about it.

0:30:230:30:25

'Susan was quite taken with the cottage

0:30:250:30:28

'but Jules still had more property to deliver.

0:30:280:30:30

'The next home was in the village of Coddington.

0:30:300:30:33

'Again, it was a charming detached cottage

0:30:330:30:36

'believed to date back to 1840.'

0:30:360:30:39

-Look at this.

-Oh, wow.

0:30:390:30:41

-Property number two.

-A wing for me!

0:30:410:30:45

You're quite right.

0:30:450:30:46

THEY LAUGH

0:30:460:30:48

That's why I wanted to start with this aspect of it

0:30:480:30:51

because it displays this L-shape

0:30:510:30:53

and it is a wing for you. That is a guest wing.

0:30:530:30:56

That is amazing.

0:30:560:30:59

I'm bowled over.

0:30:590:31:00

I'm knocked for six. I can't speak.

0:31:000:31:03

'A bigger proposition than the first house,

0:31:040:31:07

'the guest wing featured two main rooms,

0:31:070:31:09

'one of which had an en-suite, so could be used as a guest bedroom.

0:31:090:31:14

'This accommodation was attached to the main house.'

0:31:140:31:18

OK, Susan, come on in.

0:31:180:31:20

It's huge.

0:31:200:31:22

-Yes.

-It's fabulous.

-Isn't it just?

0:31:230:31:25

You've given me a kitchen that's big enough to put a sofa in.

0:31:250:31:29

Yes, we brought that in especially!

0:31:290:31:32

You've given me everything I asked for.

0:31:320:31:33

-Look, Leslie, a proper sink.

-You've got a Belfast sink.

0:31:330:31:36

And a beautiful wood surface.

0:31:360:31:39

-Wood burner.

-And a wood burner.

0:31:390:31:41

Now it goes on. There's a study next door.

0:31:410:31:44

Come through here.

0:31:440:31:45

And your living room.

0:31:450:31:47

The study is there, which is really nice, actually.

0:31:470:31:50

-That is lovely.

-And then in here we've got your living room.

0:31:500:31:54

-Come on in.

-This is lovely, too.

0:31:540:31:57

-Yes.

-It's lovely.

0:31:570:31:58

That's what you said, isn't it? You didn't want a huge sitting-room,

0:31:580:32:01

-you wanted the space in the kitchen.

-That's right.

-It's cosy.

0:32:010:32:04

It's another really good choice.

0:32:040:32:05

It is really cosy, but it's a fine room as well.

0:32:050:32:07

-It's very elegant, isn't it?

-Yes.

-The way it's dressed and presented.

0:32:070:32:11

So, if the upstairs is as good as the downstairs, we're laughing,

0:32:110:32:15

-aren't we?

-We are.

-We are indeed.

0:32:150:32:16

Let's keep laughing. Come on.

0:32:160:32:18

'Along with the potential annexe rooms,

0:32:200:32:21

'there were three bedrooms up on the first floor

0:32:210:32:24

'so plenty of space for visiting friends.

0:32:240:32:27

'Lastly, there was the bedroom for Susan.'

0:32:270:32:30

And here we are in what would be, I think, your master bedroom.

0:32:300:32:34

No, I'm having the double aspect one at the back.

0:32:340:32:36

You're having the other one? You're going to have the guest room?

0:32:360:32:38

Yes. No, this is lovely, as well.

0:32:380:32:41

You've just found such a wonderful house.

0:32:410:32:43

-I am going to cry.

-It's OK.

0:32:430:32:45

It's OK. You don't have to.

0:32:450:32:47

-I pull some funny faces when I cry!

-THEY LAUGH

0:32:500:32:53

I think it's a hit.

0:32:550:32:57

I think it is a hit, Leslie, yes.

0:32:570:32:59

'Emotions finally got the better of Susan

0:32:590:33:01

'as Jules had presented her with another contender

0:33:010:33:04

'for her new country home.

0:33:040:33:06

'It all hung on that all-important price.'

0:33:060:33:10

Let's ask Leslie to go first on your price guess.

0:33:100:33:14

I think it might be a little over budget at 335.

0:33:140:33:19

335. Yes, that would be nice.

0:33:190:33:22

Susan? I'm going even higher.

0:33:220:33:24

-340.

-340.

0:33:240:33:27

-Yes.

-It's not, it's 350, isn't it?

0:33:280:33:30

No, it's 330.

0:33:300:33:32

-THEY GASP

-You are joking!

0:33:320:33:34

You are joking!

0:33:350:33:37

-Bang on.

-You're not lying to me?

-I'm not, no.

0:33:370:33:40

I'm really not. Come on, take it all in.

0:33:400:33:42

This could be yours for your budget of £330,000.

0:33:420:33:45

-I'm doing it again.

-THEY LAUGH

0:33:480:33:50

Go on, in you go.

0:33:500:33:52

-It's fabulous.

-Have a good old sob.

0:33:520:33:54

Enjoy it and I'll catch up with you later.

0:33:540:33:56

And I like the other one, too!

0:33:560:33:58

You can only buy one!

0:33:580:34:00

'Right on budget, the second property

0:34:020:34:04

'was another beautiful cottage that seemed a perfect match

0:34:040:34:07

'with what Susan was looking for

0:34:070:34:10

'and so presented a real dilemma.

0:34:100:34:12

'However, Jules still had the final property to show her

0:34:190:34:22

'in the village of North Leverton.'

0:34:220:34:24

So this is it.

0:34:240:34:26

Not the whole house, surely?

0:34:260:34:27

The whole house. The whole Mystery House, yes.

0:34:270:34:30

'The Mystery House was a huge Grade-II listed Georgian home

0:34:300:34:34

'with beautifully proportioned reception rooms.'

0:34:340:34:37

-It's lovely.

-Isn't it?

-It is.

0:34:370:34:39

-And it's not too big either, is it?

-No.

0:34:390:34:41

'It had a substantial kitchen that was full of country charm,

0:34:410:34:45

'complete with a range cooker.'

0:34:450:34:47

Can I go over and warm my hands?

0:34:470:34:49

By all means.

0:34:490:34:51

'Upstairs, there were three bedrooms

0:34:510:34:53

'that included a double-aspect master.

0:34:530:34:56

'And if the property wasn't big enough as it stood,

0:34:560:34:58

'there were another three bedrooms in the adjoining annexe too.'

0:34:580:35:02

It's gorgeous. It really is gorgeous.

0:35:020:35:05

But it's a project

0:35:050:35:06

and it's a project for somebody that's 20 years younger than me.

0:35:060:35:10

'Susan ruled out the big and beautiful Mystery House,

0:35:100:35:13

'leaving two character cottages in the mix.

0:35:130:35:16

'One whitewashed with an open-plan interior,

0:35:160:35:19

'and the other built with red bricks that had an annexe attached.

0:35:190:35:24

'But, of course, only one would become

0:35:240:35:26

'her dream Nottinghamshire escape.'

0:35:260:35:29

I think Jules did a fine job with those first two offerings

0:35:310:35:35

but it became clear that the Mystery House

0:35:350:35:38

was just that little bit too much for Susan to take on.

0:35:380:35:41

So house number one or house number two?

0:35:410:35:46

Which one did she decide to go for?

0:35:460:35:48

I'm delighted to reveal she went for house number one.

0:35:480:35:53

So I think it's time that I met up with Susan to find out

0:35:530:35:56

how she's got on since she escaped to the country.

0:35:560:36:00

I hope she's got that kettle on.

0:36:000:36:02

-Susan.

-Hi.

0:36:100:36:12

-Lovely to meet you.

-Lovely to meet you too.

0:36:120:36:15

Come in.

0:36:150:36:17

'Jules had been property shopping with Susan in the spring of 2013

0:36:170:36:22

'and she had her offer accepted

0:36:220:36:24

'just a couple of days after their viewing.

0:36:240:36:27

'Four months later, it became her new address

0:36:270:36:29

'and she's been its proud homeowner for the last three years.'

0:36:290:36:34

Susan, it is so lovely to meet you, and Jules sends his regards.

0:36:340:36:38

He's very keen to get an update on this beautiful property.

0:36:380:36:43

That's nice to know. I very much enjoyed filming with Jules

0:36:430:36:46

and, of course, I have this lovely house from your programme -

0:36:460:36:50

and I really can't thank you enough for that

0:36:500:36:52

because, well, I'm just so happy here.

0:36:520:36:55

Have you had to change anything here?

0:36:550:36:57

No, I haven't changed anything at all.

0:36:570:36:59

A local carpenter built me the thing that the television is on

0:36:590:37:02

and some wardrobes upstairs.

0:37:020:37:05

-So, really, furnishings.

-Yes, just furnishings.

0:37:050:37:08

I said to Jules that I could just pop my furniture in a van,

0:37:080:37:11

come up here and move in, and that's exactly what I did.

0:37:110:37:14

Because you were coming from London, weren't you?

0:37:140:37:17

-Oh, yes.

-Have there been any regrets at all?

0:37:170:37:20

Do you miss your old London life?

0:37:200:37:22

No, apart from the art exhibitions

0:37:220:37:24

that you have to make an effort to go to now.

0:37:240:37:27

You can't just choose one morning to go and see them.

0:37:270:37:30

No regrets at all.

0:37:300:37:32

You brought with you on this search your best friend in the world.

0:37:320:37:35

I think you've been friends for about 40 years or so.

0:37:350:37:38

Leslie. Has she been to see this house since you bought it?

0:37:380:37:42

She's stayed here several times, but Leslie now lives in Italy.

0:37:420:37:46

She is pursuing her dream of living life in another language.

0:37:460:37:50

Her Italian is coming on in leaps and bounds.

0:37:500:37:53

But she loves coming over here to visit you?

0:37:530:37:56

-Yes.

-And we're sitting here in your beautiful cottage.

0:37:560:38:00

Peace, quiet, surrounded by the countryside.

0:38:000:38:03

What a change in lifestyle and it works for you.

0:38:030:38:06

It certainly does. I don't think I've ever been so content.

0:38:060:38:10

Now it is a rather gorgeous village, Epperstone,

0:38:100:38:12

and I know that was important for you when you were making the move

0:38:120:38:16

that you did have neighbours, you had a community around you.

0:38:160:38:19

How has that worked out?

0:38:190:38:20

Fabulous. The day after I moved in,

0:38:200:38:23

I went down to the pub for the coffee morning

0:38:230:38:26

and met loads of people, and I don't think I've looked back since.

0:38:260:38:30

-Really?

-No. Everybody I've met is just wonderful.

0:38:300:38:34

'Susan really has thrown herself into village life

0:38:340:38:38

'and is involved in everything from the WI to quiz nights,

0:38:380:38:42

'the church and a local ladies darts team.

0:38:420:38:46

'She's taking me into the village where some of her team-mates

0:38:460:38:49

'have gathered for a little practice session.'

0:38:490:38:51

Hi, ladies.

0:38:510:38:53

-How are you?

-This is Nicki.

0:38:530:38:55

Here are some of my friends from the darts team.

0:38:550:38:57

Hello.

0:38:570:38:58

Good to meet you.

0:38:580:39:00

'Time to partner up.

0:39:000:39:01

'Susan is with Rosemary,

0:39:010:39:03

'and poor Lisa will have to make do with an inexperienced me.

0:39:030:39:07

'And it's Lisa who's first up.'

0:39:070:39:09

Good start.

0:39:090:39:11

There's no messing, I'm feeling very confident with my team.

0:39:120:39:15

'Next, it's Rosemary for Team Susan.'

0:39:150:39:18

Arrows!

0:39:220:39:24

'Now for my turn.'

0:39:240:39:26

Here we go. RECORD SCRATCH

0:39:260:39:27

Do you really want to stand there with me playing?

0:39:270:39:29

I think you should take a good step back.

0:39:290:39:31

Just in case.

0:39:310:39:33

No laughing if I miss.

0:39:330:39:34

-At least I got it on the board, didn't I?

-25.

0:39:380:39:42

'And lastly, Susan is going to show us her skills.'

0:39:420:39:45

How long have you been playing?

0:39:450:39:47

I've been playing for a couple of years, but I'm the reserve.

0:39:470:39:50

They only play me if there's nobody else.

0:39:500:39:54

That's not fair.

0:39:540:39:56

You're brilliant!

0:39:560:39:58

'I think Susan's just being modest,

0:39:580:40:00

'as from what I've seen she must be a valued member of the team.

0:40:000:40:05

'And it's really great to experience a little of the highlights

0:40:050:40:08

'in Susan's action-packed country calendar.

0:40:080:40:10

'As well as a close-knit community and a country cottage,

0:40:140:40:18

'another of Susan's aspirations was to own a narrow boat.

0:40:180:40:21

'And just a couple of months ago,

0:40:210:40:23

'the opportunity arose to purchase one.

0:40:230:40:26

'It's moored just 20 minutes away, and Susan is keen for me to see it.'

0:40:260:40:31

So, Susan, this is your boat.

0:40:310:40:33

-This is my boat.

-What's her name?

0:40:330:40:35

The Gentleman's Relish.

0:40:350:40:36

That's rather fruity, isn't it?

0:40:360:40:38

-I didn't give it its name!

-So you've escaped to the country

0:40:380:40:41

-and now you want to escape on the waterways?

-Yes.

0:40:410:40:44

What made you buy her?

0:40:440:40:46

I think it's something that I've always wanted to do.

0:40:460:40:48

Have a boat. I've always loved boating holidays.

0:40:480:40:51

I like bobbing about on the water

0:40:510:40:53

and if I didn't do it now I might regret it.

0:40:530:40:57

So I thought...

0:40:570:40:58

-The opportunity came up, so I took it.

-Why not?

0:40:580:41:02

I would love to go out on her. However, it's quite gusty today.

0:41:020:41:06

And as I'm still a novice I don't think I'd get her off the moorings,

0:41:060:41:09

-I'm afraid.

-I don't know how good I'd be as a first mate, either.

0:41:090:41:12

But can we go on board and perhaps have a nice cup of tea?

0:41:120:41:15

We'll have a nice tea and a tour.

0:41:150:41:17

Right. I've got to ask you one more thing.

0:41:170:41:20

-Yes?

-Captain, permission to board?

-Permission granted.

-Thank you.

0:41:200:41:24

And mind your head.

0:41:240:41:26

It is certainly narrow.

0:41:280:41:31

It is.

0:41:310:41:32

Here we are. You come straight into the kitchen.

0:41:330:41:36

-Gorgeous.

-A little sink, a little heater.

0:41:360:41:38

It's delightful.

0:41:380:41:40

And then on we go.

0:41:400:41:41

On we go to the dining area which,

0:41:410:41:44

when we have to sleep on the boat, it converts into a double bed.

0:41:440:41:48

And this is the lounge area.

0:41:480:41:51

Bijou, compact but beautiful.

0:41:510:41:55

You did offer me, I think, a cup of tea?

0:41:550:41:57

-I did.

-Shall I put the kettle on?

0:41:570:41:58

Back to the galley.

0:41:580:42:00

-Tea.

-Thank you.

0:42:100:42:12

People think long and hard about making the move.

0:42:130:42:16

They always talk about it being a huge leap of faith,

0:42:160:42:18

because you're leaving behind what you know.

0:42:180:42:21

What advice would you give them?

0:42:210:42:24

Just do it. Don't talk about it, don't think about it, just do it.

0:42:240:42:28

-You wouldn't change a thing?

-Wouldn't change...not one thing.

0:42:280:42:31

-Cheers to that.

-Cheers.

0:42:310:42:34

-And thank you.

-You're welcome.

0:42:340:42:35

When we're house-hunting with our buyers,

0:42:380:42:41

we spend so much time with them they truly feel like family.

0:42:410:42:45

So it's great to have this opportunity to see for ourselves

0:42:450:42:49

the difference making the move has made to their lives,

0:42:490:42:52

because it's not just the physical side

0:42:520:42:55

of perhaps changing a few counties -

0:42:550:42:57

it's the peace and tranquillity that country life gives them.

0:42:570:43:01

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

0:43:020:43:06

England or Northern Ireland, and would also like our help,

0:43:060:43:10

why not apply online at...

0:43:100:43:11

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