0:00:02 > 0:00:04Making the move from city to countryside
0:00:04 > 0:00:06is often a momentous step.
0:00:06 > 0:00:08Never in a million years I would imagine
0:00:08 > 0:00:11I'd be seeing a house like this. Never, ever.
0:00:12 > 0:00:14But, for many years, Escape To The Country
0:00:14 > 0:00:18has been helping countless people find their new home.
0:00:18 > 0:00:21- What do we think of this? - Oh, my! Chocolate box!
0:00:21 > 0:00:25We've travelled to the most picturesque parts of Britain...
0:00:25 > 0:00:27Take a look at that killer view!
0:00:27 > 0:00:29That's amazing.
0:00:29 > 0:00:32..to showcase thousands of exquisite country properties...
0:00:32 > 0:00:35Oh, how pretty is that!
0:00:35 > 0:00:38..that our buyers just couldn't resist.
0:00:38 > 0:00:40SHE SHOUTS
0:00:40 > 0:00:42Seriously, get your cheque-book out, now!
0:00:43 > 0:00:47Join us as we catch up with those who bought their dream home...
0:00:47 > 0:00:50I do love the house. You did really well.
0:00:50 > 0:00:53..to find out how the move changed their lives when they
0:00:53 > 0:00:55escaped to the country.
0:01:12 > 0:01:15Today I'm in Norfolk and this is Thetford Forest
0:01:15 > 0:01:17which, at 72 square miles,
0:01:17 > 0:01:21is the largest man-made lowland forest in the UK.
0:01:21 > 0:01:25Back in the 1920s, however, this landscape looked very different.
0:01:25 > 0:01:27It was all sandy heathland,
0:01:27 > 0:01:30the result of over 700 years of rabbit farming.
0:01:30 > 0:01:32But, almost a century ago,
0:01:32 > 0:01:34the Forestry Commission took the area in hand and planted
0:01:34 > 0:01:39lots and lots of trees and now it's a thriving, natural habitat.
0:01:39 > 0:01:43And I'm very excited because it's near here that my mission begins.
0:01:43 > 0:01:46Which is revisiting people who bought the houses
0:01:46 > 0:01:49that we'd showed them and now call them home.
0:01:51 > 0:01:55My journey today takes me to the north-west of England
0:01:55 > 0:01:58and of course into the Norfolk countryside.
0:01:59 > 0:02:02Later on, I'll be catching up with Angela from Edinburgh,
0:02:02 > 0:02:07whose flair for design has really flourished since she made her move.
0:02:08 > 0:02:11But, first, I'll be reunited with Kevin and Belinda
0:02:11 > 0:02:14to see how they've got on making their dreams
0:02:14 > 0:02:16of a new country life a reality.
0:02:18 > 0:02:23In the summer of 2012 Belinda, a qualification assessor, and Kevin,
0:02:23 > 0:02:25a retired RAF engineer,
0:02:25 > 0:02:28were living with their two cats in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire.
0:02:28 > 0:02:32And dreaming of ditching their sedentary existence.
0:02:32 > 0:02:35At the moment, we're both doing jobs that require us
0:02:35 > 0:02:37to probably sit behind desks and computers,
0:02:37 > 0:02:40yet we're practical people, active people,
0:02:40 > 0:02:43and we're just not getting the life satisfaction that we really want.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47It was a shared love of travel and caravanning
0:02:47 > 0:02:50that prompted their move to the country.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53We have been on caravan holidays for many years.
0:02:53 > 0:02:54We love the freedom
0:02:54 > 0:02:57and the open space which it provides us when we go.
0:02:57 > 0:03:00The area we would like to move to is South Norfolk.
0:03:00 > 0:03:03And possibly even into North Suffolk.
0:03:03 > 0:03:06We think we're likely to find the countryside place that we want,
0:03:06 > 0:03:09with land that we want, with the space to have what we want.
0:03:09 > 0:03:12And what they wanted was more than simply a slice
0:03:12 > 0:03:16of countryside living, as Belinda had her heart set on
0:03:16 > 0:03:19running a cattery business from their new home.
0:03:19 > 0:03:23And Kevin had ambitions to make money from his passion
0:03:23 > 0:03:25of restoring classic cars.
0:03:26 > 0:03:27With all this in mind,
0:03:27 > 0:03:30Kevin and Belinda were after a house with a minimum
0:03:30 > 0:03:33of two bedrooms and at least half an acre plot.
0:03:33 > 0:03:37It also had to have scope for Belinda's cattery business
0:03:37 > 0:03:41and space for Kevin's workshop. And, to top it all off,
0:03:41 > 0:03:43they wanted the potential for holiday lets as well.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46All for a budget of £450,000.
0:03:50 > 0:03:55Our house search started on the rural outskirts of Mundham Common.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58So, up a long private drive.
0:03:58 > 0:03:59This is the property I want to show you.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02Oh, right. Has it been more than one house at some point?
0:04:02 > 0:04:04It has, it has history. The oldest part of the house
0:04:04 > 0:04:07is this white bit at the end which has been re-rendered.
0:04:07 > 0:04:10- That's from the 1780s.- Is it?- This is a Victorian extension,
0:04:10 > 0:04:14- put in in the 1800s.- Yeah. - And this was put in in the '80s.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17Right. Yeah, it's interesting, I'll give it that!
0:04:17 > 0:04:21The mix of historic styles on the outside left them a bit bemused.
0:04:21 > 0:04:25So I was keen to see what they'd make of the character inside.
0:04:25 > 0:04:29This is the Victorian extension to the original cottage.
0:04:29 > 0:04:30In terms of the living space,
0:04:30 > 0:04:33you haven't really talked so much about how you want the space
0:04:33 > 0:04:37for, you know, your living and kitchen. How do you use your space?
0:04:37 > 0:04:40Lounge area, which this is, is big enough for us.
0:04:40 > 0:04:44We like... We'd like a good dining, sort of kitchen area, you know.
0:04:44 > 0:04:47- Sort of a social area. - Well, this house has both.
0:04:47 > 0:04:49You've got a dining room in the extension there.
0:04:49 > 0:04:51- Right.- And a kitchen area.
0:04:53 > 0:04:56- Come on in. You like it? - Yes.- Yeah, I do.
0:04:56 > 0:04:59Now, this is more like what I would have imagined.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02Just off the entrance hall was a handy utility room,
0:05:02 > 0:05:05right next to the stairs up to the first floor.
0:05:05 > 0:05:07So, this is the master.
0:05:07 > 0:05:09Again, over the oldest part of the house.
0:05:09 > 0:05:11- Yes.- Yes, that's definitely got character.
0:05:11 > 0:05:13I love that ceiling.
0:05:13 > 0:05:16There are two bedrooms which are over the new extension.
0:05:16 > 0:05:20- And then another little boxroom and family bathroom at the end.- OK.
0:05:22 > 0:05:24Turning our attention outside,
0:05:24 > 0:05:27the house came with a generous two-and-a-third acres of land,
0:05:27 > 0:05:30complete with prime cattery real estate
0:05:30 > 0:05:33in the form of some outbuildings ripe for conversion.
0:05:33 > 0:05:38There was also a large open barn for Kevin's classic cars,
0:05:38 > 0:05:41as well as a fully functional two-bedroom holiday let.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44Albeit in need of a little TLC.
0:05:44 > 0:05:48My only worry now was that they were a bit overwhelmed.
0:05:48 > 0:05:49How much do you think it's worth?
0:05:49 > 0:05:51350,000.
0:05:51 > 0:05:53I would go 410.
0:05:54 > 0:05:56You're optimistic with 350!
0:05:56 > 0:05:59It's actually on the market for 459.
0:05:59 > 0:06:04£9,000 over budget, house number one certainly seemed to have
0:06:04 > 0:06:07given our couple plenty to think about.
0:06:07 > 0:06:09For our second offering,
0:06:09 > 0:06:13we travelled to the quiet woodland of Drymere to see a house
0:06:13 > 0:06:17that had all the hallmarks of a feline paradise.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19Property number two.
0:06:19 > 0:06:23- Grief!- We have excelled ourselves! - Haven't you just!
0:06:23 > 0:06:25Cos we've brought you to a cattery!
0:06:25 > 0:06:29- Good grief!- This is an up-and-running cattery,
0:06:29 > 0:06:33licensed for 30 cat chalets, so you can have 68 cats.
0:06:35 > 0:06:38- Wow!- It's fabulous!- It's all built to the highest feline standard.
0:06:38 > 0:06:41- I can see that. - You HAVE surprised me.
0:06:41 > 0:06:43And it's a very successful business.
0:06:43 > 0:06:45It can turn over about 30 grand.
0:06:45 > 0:06:47Really? As much as that!
0:06:48 > 0:06:51But Belinda wasn't the only one I was keen to impress,
0:06:51 > 0:06:56as the property came with not one, but two gigantic sheds for Kevin.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59This one has a pit!
0:06:59 > 0:07:01- Oh, even better!- Oh, yes!
0:07:01 > 0:07:03- That's incredible. - You'll never see me!
0:07:03 > 0:07:05LAUGHTER
0:07:05 > 0:07:07There were so many exciting elements outside,
0:07:07 > 0:07:10but we still had a house to explore.
0:07:12 > 0:07:14It's a very... It's a very simple layout
0:07:14 > 0:07:18because you've got a little sort of sitting room here with a log burner.
0:07:18 > 0:07:20- Right.- And then through into the kitchen
0:07:20 > 0:07:25- which goes out into the sunroom-conservatory, here.- OK.
0:07:25 > 0:07:26Yes, it's pretty, isn't it?
0:07:26 > 0:07:29- Yes. Functional.- Yeah.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32Functional it may have been, but as we made our way to the living room,
0:07:32 > 0:07:36- they started to get those homely vibes.- Oh, that's nice.
0:07:36 > 0:07:38- That's cosy.- That's a nice surprise.
0:07:38 > 0:07:40Can you imagine the two of you living here?
0:07:40 > 0:07:42Yes. I'm starting to get the feel that we can.
0:07:42 > 0:07:44I felt, as soon as we walked through the gate,
0:07:44 > 0:07:46it felt right from the outside.
0:07:46 > 0:07:48Yeah.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51Upstairs, the house gave them three bedrooms.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53This included a small single,
0:07:53 > 0:07:55a twin room,
0:07:55 > 0:07:56and a bright double.
0:07:56 > 0:07:58And, now that we had the business,
0:07:58 > 0:08:01hobbies and their accommodation sorted,
0:08:01 > 0:08:03they just needed to figure out what it was all worth.
0:08:05 > 0:08:06How much do you think it costs?
0:08:06 > 0:08:09I would go...425.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11I'd put slightly more, I'd say 440.
0:08:11 > 0:08:16- This is on the market for 410.- OK.
0:08:16 > 0:08:19Under budget by a generous £40,000,
0:08:19 > 0:08:22this substantial package certainly seemed to have wowed them,
0:08:22 > 0:08:26even if the house itself wasn't quite what they had in mind.
0:08:26 > 0:08:29The house didn't jump out at first. I was looking more at the cattery
0:08:29 > 0:08:31and that's exactly what Belinda wanted.
0:08:31 > 0:08:34And me. I mean, you know, it looks superb.
0:08:34 > 0:08:36I think the house is probably a little bit of a compromise area,
0:08:36 > 0:08:39and there's going to be some area of compromise,
0:08:39 > 0:08:41I think, if we were to go for this.
0:08:43 > 0:08:45Well, it seemed that both the properties that I showed
0:08:45 > 0:08:47Kevin and Belinda had aspects that appealed to them.
0:08:47 > 0:08:51There was space and potential for that all-important business
0:08:51 > 0:08:54with the cats. But I hadn't used up my three lives yet
0:08:54 > 0:08:57as the Mystery House was still to come
0:08:57 > 0:09:00and I was curious to know how they would react to that.
0:09:01 > 0:09:04For the final stop on our property hunt,
0:09:04 > 0:09:06we headed south towards the Suffolk border.
0:09:06 > 0:09:08And the village of Garboldisham.
0:09:10 > 0:09:13I think it's absolutely gorgeous to look at.
0:09:13 > 0:09:15- Stunning.- I wanted something with character.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18- So did I. Bags of that, hasn't it? - Wait till you see inside.
0:09:19 > 0:09:21This impressive mystery property
0:09:21 > 0:09:25came in the form of an 18th-century Grade II listed farmhouse,
0:09:25 > 0:09:28renovated to an exceptional standard.
0:09:28 > 0:09:31I took them through the side door in the hope that they'd be knocked
0:09:31 > 0:09:34sideways by all the character on offer.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37So, lovely wooden surfaces throughout.
0:09:37 > 0:09:39- Yes.- Bespoke kind of units.
0:09:39 > 0:09:43- Is it your kind of kitchen, Belinda? - It's lovely.
0:09:43 > 0:09:45It's surprisingly light.
0:09:45 > 0:09:49Leading through into this space, which I think is really charming.
0:09:51 > 0:09:53It's a lovely, open area.
0:09:53 > 0:09:56For entertaining, dining, it's really sociable.
0:09:57 > 0:09:59And, if that wasn't perfection enough,
0:09:59 > 0:10:03there was also a separate formal dining room.
0:10:03 > 0:10:05Upstairs there was a guest bedroom with en suite.
0:10:05 > 0:10:08But, as we headed to the master,
0:10:08 > 0:10:10I was hoping that the historic bones
0:10:10 > 0:10:13would continue to charm Belinda in particular.
0:10:13 > 0:10:16So this is where you notice the age of the property.
0:10:16 > 0:10:18- Yeah.- Very tight stairs.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20Very sloping floors.
0:10:20 > 0:10:21- It is, isn't it?- Good grief.
0:10:21 > 0:10:23Initially, I love it.
0:10:23 > 0:10:25The bedroom reminds me of, you know,
0:10:25 > 0:10:27- going to like a country house hotel. - Yeah.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30It was time to turn our attention outside.
0:10:30 > 0:10:34The house sat in over three-quarters of an acre and there was room
0:10:34 > 0:10:38in the garden for a small cattery where the veg patch lay.
0:10:38 > 0:10:40But the big draw was the detached annexe,
0:10:40 > 0:10:43which screamed holiday let potential.
0:10:43 > 0:10:48It's a beautifully finished holiday let, it's very nicely done.
0:10:48 > 0:10:50- OK.- Very nice.
0:10:50 > 0:10:53- What do you think this is on the market for?- 470.
0:10:53 > 0:10:55I'll go 465.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58This is on the market for 449,500.
0:10:58 > 0:11:02- Is it really? - You'd have £500 to play with!
0:11:04 > 0:11:07Just shy of their £450,000 budget,
0:11:07 > 0:11:10it seemed like the thatched charm of our Mystery House
0:11:10 > 0:11:12was proving a serious temptation.
0:11:13 > 0:11:18I know we've always spoken about a character home,
0:11:18 > 0:11:20you know, that's full of charm. Beautiful inside.
0:11:20 > 0:11:22I did see the thatched roof and I just thought
0:11:22 > 0:11:24it's a little chocolate box cottage.
0:11:24 > 0:11:26It's beautiful. And I didn't think I'd, you know,
0:11:26 > 0:11:28ever be able to aspire to own one!
0:11:28 > 0:11:32I left Kevin and Belinda with quite the decision to make.
0:11:32 > 0:11:35The obvious appeal of a ready-made cattery business
0:11:35 > 0:11:39was only hampered by the slightly underwhelming proportions
0:11:39 > 0:11:41of the house that came with it.
0:11:41 > 0:11:43While our gorgeous characterful Mystery House
0:11:43 > 0:11:47seemed to offer something they always thought out of reach,
0:11:47 > 0:11:50and offered unexpected income potential.
0:11:50 > 0:11:52So, which one won through?
0:11:55 > 0:11:58After an initial hankering after that beautiful
0:11:58 > 0:12:00thatched Mystery House had passed,
0:12:00 > 0:12:04I'm delighted to say that Kevin and Belinda realised that
0:12:04 > 0:12:08an up-and-running cattery business was too good an option to pass up.
0:12:08 > 0:12:14And, so, they moved in to house number two just over four years ago.
0:12:14 > 0:12:18Now a little bird tells me that they're not at home today
0:12:18 > 0:12:21because they are living in the garden!
0:12:21 > 0:12:23Let's go and find out what that's all about.
0:12:26 > 0:12:27Hey!
0:12:30 > 0:12:31So nice to see you both.
0:12:31 > 0:12:32Hello, it's lovely to see you.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35- Hello, Alistair, nice to see you again.- Back in Norfolk.
0:12:35 > 0:12:36It's great, isn't it?
0:12:36 > 0:12:39And you are, I see, living in a caravan!
0:12:39 > 0:12:40- Yes, that's right. - Tell us about that.
0:12:40 > 0:12:44- Well, it's summertime, isn't it, why not!- Well, I can see why.
0:12:44 > 0:12:46This looks amazing.
0:12:46 > 0:12:48The house was not what we wanted, was it?
0:12:48 > 0:12:51- Initially.- No, there was some compromise there.
0:12:51 > 0:12:53How long did you live in it before you realised
0:12:53 > 0:12:54that you'd have to change it?
0:12:54 > 0:13:00We started the extension build in 2015?
0:13:00 > 0:13:01Yes, it would be, yes.
0:13:01 > 0:13:05We started doing the drawings I think back end of 2014,
0:13:05 > 0:13:08getting an idea of what we wanted, sketches and things.
0:13:08 > 0:13:12And then I finalised the plans back end of 2014, yes.
0:13:12 > 0:13:15I think we've just taken each step at a time, really.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18It'd be just nice to get out of the caravan,
0:13:18 > 0:13:19back under a proper tiled roof!
0:13:19 > 0:13:21I'm dying to see inside. We can chat more, but can I
0:13:21 > 0:13:24- have a look inside?- Absolutely. - Not sure I can remember it!
0:13:24 > 0:13:27- It's probably changed so much. - It's changed dramatically.
0:13:28 > 0:13:32On my last visit, the house had a very conventional layout.
0:13:32 > 0:13:35But it's now been completely gutted and transformed into something
0:13:35 > 0:13:37magnificently open-plan.
0:13:38 > 0:13:40Aha!
0:13:40 > 0:13:43Oh, that's great. I remember you weren't at all happy with the house.
0:13:43 > 0:13:46- It was not a selling point for this property.- Not at all. Not at all.
0:13:46 > 0:13:48So we lived in it a while, decided what we wanted to do.
0:13:48 > 0:13:51Making it open-plan only came into our heads probably a few months ago.
0:13:51 > 0:13:53So wonderful, opening it all up.
0:13:53 > 0:13:56Was it easy to get the planning permission, was that an issue?
0:13:56 > 0:13:58No problem at all. Very easy.
0:13:58 > 0:14:00Because it's out of sight from the road, it was never an issue.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03- Right.- Never an issue at all, the council never questioned anything.
0:14:03 > 0:14:06- Straight through. They were excellent.- Cos you've effectively
0:14:06 > 0:14:08- doubled the size of the house, is that right?- Yes.- Yeah.
0:14:08 > 0:14:10- Can I see the extension? - You can indeed, yes.
0:14:10 > 0:14:12I'll lead the way.
0:14:12 > 0:14:16Kevin and Belinda have added a fantastic 2-storey extension.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19Although it's not quite finished yet.
0:14:19 > 0:14:20Oh, wow!
0:14:22 > 0:14:24Oh, that's so impressive to see.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27- Big space, isn't it? - All those rafters!
0:14:27 > 0:14:29This is going to be amazing!
0:14:29 > 0:14:32- Well, you must be so excited? - Very, yes.- I know what it's like
0:14:32 > 0:14:34when you've got a build on, you're like, oh,
0:14:34 > 0:14:37it's never going to finish! But it will be finished!
0:14:37 > 0:14:39Oh, yes, yes. I can see it in my mind,
0:14:39 > 0:14:42- how it's going to be at the end. - And then upstairs, what are you
0:14:42 > 0:14:44going to do? It's like a ballroom up there!
0:14:44 > 0:14:45That will be our master bedroom.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48- Oh, really. - With the French doors in.
0:14:48 > 0:14:50And we'll put a Juliet balcony on there
0:14:50 > 0:14:53and then the upstairs will be divided into three rooms.
0:14:53 > 0:14:56One a dressing room. And an en-suite bathroom.
0:14:56 > 0:14:57A dressing room!
0:14:57 > 0:15:00- Yes.- That's amazing.
0:15:00 > 0:15:04With structural work complete, they plan on finishing
0:15:04 > 0:15:06the rest of the jobs themselves to keep costs down.
0:15:06 > 0:15:10Engineer Kevin is certainly going to have his work cut out.
0:15:10 > 0:15:13As we head back out into the sunshine,
0:15:13 > 0:15:16I'm keen to hear more about their new lives in the country.
0:15:16 > 0:15:18First of all, tell me about the move.
0:15:18 > 0:15:21How was the actual, kind of, sale?
0:15:21 > 0:15:24What happened after the show, did you put an offer in straightaway?
0:15:24 > 0:15:26No, we didn't.
0:15:26 > 0:15:28We went home and there was quite a bit of deliberation, really.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31Cos you were kind of in love with the thatched cottage as well,
0:15:31 > 0:15:34- weren't you?- Yeah, that was the one... We never wanted to buy
0:15:34 > 0:15:37- a thatched cottage and you showed us one as a Mystery House!- Yeah, yeah.
0:15:37 > 0:15:39So, what swayed you in the end?
0:15:39 > 0:15:42The business. I think it was the business.
0:15:42 > 0:15:44My father, with his sensible head on.
0:15:44 > 0:15:47Thanks, Dad! He said you've got a business there,
0:15:47 > 0:15:49why are you going to throw that away?
0:15:49 > 0:15:51Because you might not get planning permission,
0:15:51 > 0:15:54- on a Grade II listed building. - Yeah.- And it made sense, really.
0:15:54 > 0:15:56And what's like moving back to Norfolk?
0:15:56 > 0:15:59Because you were based in Norfolk, weren't you?
0:15:59 > 0:16:021980s, I was at RAF Marham. I hated Norfolk then!
0:16:02 > 0:16:05Because I was in my 20s and all I wanted was nightlife!
0:16:05 > 0:16:08I was a young lad. But now I've moved back... I was quite reticent,
0:16:08 > 0:16:10but now I've moved back, I love it.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14I really do like it down here. I wouldn't live anywhere else.
0:16:14 > 0:16:16When you go back to the Midlands or Cheshire,
0:16:16 > 0:16:20it always just seems incredibly busy and not particularly enjoyable
0:16:20 > 0:16:21- and rather stressful.- Oh, really?
0:16:21 > 0:16:24- Go, go, go.- So you're always hankering to get back to Norfolk?
0:16:24 > 0:16:28Yeah! I see family and friends in Cheshire and I come back,
0:16:28 > 0:16:30I just can't wait to get back down here.
0:16:30 > 0:16:32Yeah. It's nice to see them, but it's just, you know,
0:16:32 > 0:16:35- I couldn't live up there any more. - So there's no chance you would move
0:16:35 > 0:16:37- away now? This is your... - I don't think so!
0:16:37 > 0:16:41I think we're pretty well-rooted now here in Norfolk.
0:16:41 > 0:16:43Well, these two are certainly keeping themselves busy,
0:16:43 > 0:16:46and not just with their renovations.
0:16:46 > 0:16:49The cattery business seems to be purring along nicely
0:16:49 > 0:16:54since they took over, at one point peaking at 52 cats in residence,
0:16:54 > 0:16:56and turnover practically doubling.
0:16:56 > 0:16:59Although I can't imagine having that many visitors
0:16:59 > 0:17:01leaves you a lot of time for yourself.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04Is it kind of prohibitive in terms of, like, you going away?
0:17:04 > 0:17:08It's very difficult to get away because you need to be here
0:17:08 > 0:17:11most of the time. Opening hours are nine till 12, 4:30 to 6:30.
0:17:11 > 0:17:14So one of us needs to be here during that time.
0:17:14 > 0:17:17And the time in between that, during the day,
0:17:17 > 0:17:19you're often disinfecting units out,
0:17:19 > 0:17:21or there's something else that needs doing.
0:17:21 > 0:17:24So, it's difficult to get out, it's difficult to get a holiday,
0:17:24 > 0:17:26really, or much time off in the busy season.
0:17:26 > 0:17:29And does that bother you, is it worth the...?
0:17:29 > 0:17:30It's a bit of a labour of love.
0:17:30 > 0:17:34I must say, I've put everything into this cattery, my heart and soul.
0:17:34 > 0:17:37But it is rewarding when customers are happy.
0:17:37 > 0:17:41So, I guess I don't feel I'm missing that much, really.
0:17:41 > 0:17:42No, a holiday would be nice
0:17:42 > 0:17:44and we will plan that, I think, in the future.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47- And Christmas, do you have time off at Christmas?- No!
0:17:47 > 0:17:49No, family have to come to us at Christmas.
0:17:49 > 0:17:51But because of the situation with the house,
0:17:51 > 0:17:52that's been really difficult.
0:17:52 > 0:17:55But, hopefully, in future years, when we've finished the house,
0:17:55 > 0:17:57we'll be able to have some nice family Christmases.
0:17:57 > 0:18:01This year, we know we won't have a kitchen so we've actually already
0:18:01 > 0:18:03booked our Christmas lunch out this year.
0:18:03 > 0:18:07Overall, I mean, it sounds like a lot of hard work and quite a bind,
0:18:07 > 0:18:10in terms of you going away. I mean, are you happy with the change?
0:18:10 > 0:18:13Because it was a complete career change for you, isn't it?
0:18:13 > 0:18:16Absolutely. I wouldn't turn back at all.
0:18:16 > 0:18:18I wouldn't go back to my former life.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21Well, Belinda certainly doesn't seem to have any regrets about
0:18:21 > 0:18:23her new life. But, before I leave,
0:18:23 > 0:18:26I want to catch up with Kevin and see how that car collection
0:18:26 > 0:18:28of his is coming along.
0:18:29 > 0:18:32- Kevin!- Ah, Alistair!
0:18:32 > 0:18:35Oh, my goodness, look at this beautiful thing!
0:18:35 > 0:18:39I remember showing you this and your eyes going out on stalks!
0:18:39 > 0:18:42- Absolutely, yes.- And you said, "Oh, I have a kit car."
0:18:42 > 0:18:45In my head I thought, kit car is like, you know, Meccano.
0:18:45 > 0:18:47I wasn't expecting something like this!
0:18:47 > 0:18:50- Changed a bit over the years! - Oh, my word! It's beautiful.
0:18:50 > 0:18:52And I see you've got some other projects lined up behind.
0:18:52 > 0:18:56I have. I've got an old 1974 Citroen DS at the back which I'm restoring.
0:18:56 > 0:19:01And a Triumph TR4 from 1963.
0:19:01 > 0:19:03And what about next door, because next door they had a home cinema,
0:19:03 > 0:19:06another big sort of space there, are you still using that?
0:19:06 > 0:19:08Still there. The home cinema's still there.
0:19:08 > 0:19:10They left it behind for us. Gave it to us.
0:19:10 > 0:19:13At the back was just a general dumping ground and last year
0:19:13 > 0:19:15I built a craft room for Belinda.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18So she's got a multi-gym in there and a bike on a little...
0:19:18 > 0:19:20on some wheels. And she's got a great big craft table
0:19:20 > 0:19:23and desk and a nice view over the fields at the back.
0:19:23 > 0:19:26- So she's made up!- When the house is finished it's going to be
0:19:26 > 0:19:27like a paradise for you two!
0:19:27 > 0:19:32- It is. And it's our pension, of course.- Yeah.- For the future.
0:19:32 > 0:19:36- And I bet this is beautiful on the Norfolk roads.- Blissful, yes.
0:19:36 > 0:19:39Top down, sun shining, down the coast there, it's lovely.
0:19:39 > 0:19:41Just to cruise, it's lovely, really lovely, yeah.
0:19:41 > 0:19:43I bet she sounds good. Can I hear her?
0:19:43 > 0:19:46Absolutely! I'll just have to pop in, Alistair, and then...
0:19:47 > 0:19:48Into your bucket seats!
0:19:48 > 0:19:50- Are you ready?- Yes.
0:19:50 > 0:19:52ENGINE STARTS
0:19:52 > 0:19:54Oh!
0:19:54 > 0:19:56Oh! That is beautiful.
0:19:56 > 0:19:58What a great sound!
0:19:58 > 0:19:59ENGINE REVS
0:19:59 > 0:20:01- Are you a big fan of the car too, Belinda?- I can't reach the pedals.
0:20:01 > 0:20:03Oh, you don't get to drive?
0:20:03 > 0:20:06- No.- No. Still, nice to go out on the road.
0:20:06 > 0:20:08You guys have made such a big success of this.
0:20:08 > 0:20:10I mean, the cattery seems to be going from strength to strength.
0:20:10 > 0:20:13The house is amazing. And then all of these things as well,
0:20:13 > 0:20:16- it's really impressive.- It's been great having you here.- Thank you.
0:20:16 > 0:20:18Yeah, thank you very much. Thank you. Just carry on.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21Yes. Well, you'll get the house done and that will be a great...
0:20:21 > 0:20:23That's the priority, Alistair. Yeah.
0:20:23 > 0:20:25I suppose we should come back again.
0:20:25 > 0:20:28- You're more than welcome. - Thank you for coming back.
0:20:28 > 0:20:30You're more than welcome.
0:20:35 > 0:20:39Starting a new life in the country can be a lifelong dream
0:20:39 > 0:20:43and those who choose to enlist our help often find themselves
0:20:43 > 0:20:45one step closer to fulfilling it.
0:20:46 > 0:20:48In the August of 2009,
0:20:48 > 0:20:51Army dentist Jeremy and his GP wife Charlotte
0:20:51 > 0:20:53were looking to get back to their country roots
0:20:53 > 0:20:55with their two small children.
0:20:55 > 0:20:58Jeremy would soon be retiring from the military,
0:20:58 > 0:21:02so it seemed like the perfect time to leave busy Colchester behind.
0:21:02 > 0:21:06They had a budget of £800,000 for a house with land
0:21:06 > 0:21:10and in the tiny hamlet of Shotatton in Shropshire,
0:21:10 > 0:21:13it was house number two that proved a serious contender.
0:21:13 > 0:21:15- It's a barn conversion.- Oh.
0:21:15 > 0:21:17- Very impressive.- But it's interesting, as you see,
0:21:17 > 0:21:19it's a little bit of a farmyard.
0:21:19 > 0:21:21There's some buildings scattered around so you're in a little
0:21:21 > 0:21:26community. Essentially, it's a new build but dressed in old clothing.
0:21:26 > 0:21:28- Lovely.- Wait until you see inside.
0:21:28 > 0:21:30Excellent.
0:21:30 > 0:21:33The outside may have been old but the inside was all new
0:21:33 > 0:21:34and perfect for entertaining.
0:21:34 > 0:21:36Yeah, that's very impressive, isn't it?
0:21:36 > 0:21:38It's quite stunning, that.
0:21:38 > 0:21:41You feel like you don't need any more house than this.
0:21:41 > 0:21:44Well, it seemed we were off to a great start in the kitchen
0:21:44 > 0:21:48with the mix of old and new features impressing Jeremy and Charlotte.
0:21:48 > 0:21:52Also downstairs, we found a very square sitting room,
0:21:52 > 0:21:55but there was one other feature in particular
0:21:55 > 0:21:57that I was keen to show off.
0:21:57 > 0:22:01- Ta-da!- Oh, I say.- Yeah.
0:22:01 > 0:22:03We didn't ask for this.
0:22:03 > 0:22:04Didn't ask for this, did you?
0:22:04 > 0:22:07The boys would love it. It's beautiful, yeah.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10- It's absolutely stunning.- I think I can cope with the plain lounge.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12The plain lounge, yeah.
0:22:12 > 0:22:16Upstairs, this conversion had a jaw-dropping six bedrooms,
0:22:16 > 0:22:19including a sumptuous master bedroom suite.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23But it was time for us to make our way outside.
0:22:25 > 0:22:30The formal garden provided excellent entertaining space and a large lawn,
0:22:30 > 0:22:32but that was it in terms of land.
0:22:32 > 0:22:35Nevertheless, I was interested to hear their thoughts
0:22:35 > 0:22:37when it came to the price.
0:22:38 > 0:22:41As it stands, it's three-quarters of an acre
0:22:41 > 0:22:44- and how much do you think it's worth?- I think 675.
0:22:44 > 0:22:46I'm going to go with 725.
0:22:48 > 0:22:51OK, well, if you split the difference, you are exactly right.
0:22:51 > 0:22:52It's on the market at £700,000.
0:22:52 > 0:22:56- Mm.- Yeah, it's food for thought.- Mm.
0:22:56 > 0:22:59And they obviously did think about it seriously as they decided to
0:22:59 > 0:23:01make an offer on it.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04Another memorable highlight from our house tours.
0:23:09 > 0:23:11Although many of us have a romantic notion
0:23:11 > 0:23:13of escaping to the countryside,
0:23:13 > 0:23:16it's quite overwhelming, unless you have a focus.
0:23:16 > 0:23:18And, for our next home buyer, Angela,
0:23:18 > 0:23:22it was the prospect of a new job that took her from Edinburgh
0:23:22 > 0:23:24to the beautiful Lancashire countryside.
0:23:27 > 0:23:30Back in August 2012, school bursar Angela was living in a flat
0:23:30 > 0:23:31in the middle of Edinburgh
0:23:31 > 0:23:35and was set to start a new job in the Lancashire Borders.
0:23:35 > 0:23:38It was the perfect time to move to the countryside
0:23:38 > 0:23:42and be closer to family. With son Anthony now at university,
0:23:42 > 0:23:45Dad Norman would be joining her for the search.
0:23:45 > 0:23:49My role in looking at these houses is to spot any possible flaws.
0:23:49 > 0:23:51Four eyes are better than two.
0:23:51 > 0:23:55I've got sort of a romantic notion and I'll fall in love with somewhere
0:23:55 > 0:23:58and Dad will probably see the back of the house
0:23:58 > 0:23:59is falling down, or something.
0:23:59 > 0:24:03Father and daughter shared a passion for all things culinary
0:24:03 > 0:24:06so a good kitchen was top of the wishlist for Angela.
0:24:06 > 0:24:08I'm a very keen cook, as is Dad.
0:24:08 > 0:24:10We've travelled all over the place, haven't we,
0:24:10 > 0:24:12doing different cookery courses?
0:24:12 > 0:24:15- Yes.- Try and get away once a year and try something new.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18But that wasn't the only priority as she knew exactly
0:24:18 > 0:24:21what else she wanted from her new home.
0:24:21 > 0:24:24I think I'm a country girl at heart, really.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27My ideal property would be a traditional cottage
0:24:27 > 0:24:28type of property.
0:24:28 > 0:24:32Lots and lots of character, beams, open fireplace,
0:24:32 > 0:24:34roses around the door.
0:24:35 > 0:24:37Bearing all that in mind,
0:24:37 > 0:24:39Angela was looking for a house with two bedrooms,
0:24:39 > 0:24:45a country kitchen, a study, a small garden and space to park the car.
0:24:45 > 0:24:47With a £250,000 budget,
0:24:47 > 0:24:51I was quietly confident that we had three lovely properties to show her.
0:24:53 > 0:24:55Our first stop was in the pretty village of Whittington
0:24:55 > 0:24:59where I showed them a stone-built Victorian terrace property.
0:25:00 > 0:25:02Here is house number one.
0:25:03 > 0:25:05Pretty. Bay window.
0:25:05 > 0:25:08- I like bay windows.- Norman, what are your thoughts?- Yeah, it looks nice.
0:25:08 > 0:25:10Kind of like something that I live in at the moment.
0:25:10 > 0:25:14It's got roses around the door. See, they're the bits that I look out.
0:25:14 > 0:25:17- All right.- That was one of your requirements, wasn't it?- Yes.
0:25:17 > 0:25:20Angela certainly seemed pleased with the outside,
0:25:20 > 0:25:22thanks to the roses and the windows, so it was time to see
0:25:22 > 0:25:25what she and dad Norman thought of the interior.
0:25:27 > 0:25:29Straight into the front room.
0:25:30 > 0:25:33These big, high windows looking out over the fields to the church.
0:25:33 > 0:25:34That is a lovely view, isn't it?
0:25:34 > 0:25:37- What would you do?- Yes, I like the view out the window.
0:25:37 > 0:25:39- The view, the view is lovely. - What about the room?
0:25:39 > 0:25:42The room feels quite spacious.
0:25:42 > 0:25:43Nice high ceilings.
0:25:43 > 0:25:45It's OK, it's a reasonable size.
0:25:45 > 0:25:48After a quietly polite response here,
0:25:48 > 0:25:51I was hoping the dining room would deliver.
0:25:51 > 0:25:53So, another room at the back.
0:25:53 > 0:25:54Now, now we're talking.
0:25:54 > 0:25:56Oh, this is more to your liking.
0:25:56 > 0:25:58Yes. Look at that. This is perfect.
0:25:58 > 0:26:00- Yes, I quite like this as well.- Yes.
0:26:00 > 0:26:03It was good to hear Angela warming to the charms of this property,
0:26:03 > 0:26:06but there was more to see in the kitchen.
0:26:06 > 0:26:07Is the good mood continuing?
0:26:09 > 0:26:11Compact. Quite well-designed, I think.
0:26:11 > 0:26:13Not a lot of work space, is there?
0:26:13 > 0:26:15So, Mr Practical, what are your thoughts about the kitchen?
0:26:15 > 0:26:18If it was me, I would like a bigger kitchen.
0:26:18 > 0:26:20But this is obviously quite practical.
0:26:22 > 0:26:25Upstairs, there was more space than they might have expected
0:26:25 > 0:26:28with three bedrooms, one of which could have been ideal
0:26:28 > 0:26:30for her son when he came to stay.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33And the master provided some fabulous views.
0:26:33 > 0:26:38Heading outside, to the rear of the house lay a communal parking area
0:26:38 > 0:26:41that led to a lawn and patio with views out over the Lune Valley.
0:26:43 > 0:26:45- So, how much do you think the house costs?- I think it's
0:26:45 > 0:26:49at the top end of the budget. I think it's, let's go for 245.
0:26:49 > 0:26:52- Norman?- I think about 210.
0:26:52 > 0:26:53Well, you're not quite there.
0:26:53 > 0:26:56It is actually right at the top of your budget,
0:26:56 > 0:26:58it's £5 short of £250,000.
0:26:58 > 0:27:02Thought it would be near the top, with the number of rooms, really.
0:27:05 > 0:27:07A whisker under budget,
0:27:07 > 0:27:11our first property had begun to hint at a rosy future ahead for Angela.
0:27:11 > 0:27:13But we had more to see.
0:27:15 > 0:27:18For our second offering, we hopped over the border
0:27:18 > 0:27:20into Cumbria to the small hamlet of Old Hutton,
0:27:20 > 0:27:23where we had a stone and slate cottage
0:27:23 > 0:27:25from the 1900s to show Angela,
0:27:25 > 0:27:28complete with views out towards the Lake District.
0:27:29 > 0:27:32- Oh, wow.- That's nice. - That is gorgeous!
0:27:32 > 0:27:34- Where's my cheque-book? - Oh, that's what we like.
0:27:34 > 0:27:38- It reminds me of my grandmother's place back in Ireland.- Oh.
0:27:38 > 0:27:40- I think we've done well.- I think you have done very well, yes.
0:27:40 > 0:27:41Very good.
0:27:41 > 0:27:45This gem of a property seemed to have sent her heart soaring
0:27:45 > 0:27:47before we'd even stepped through the front door.
0:27:47 > 0:27:51But I thought she'd be even more impressed by what awaited inside.
0:27:53 > 0:27:54SHE GASPS
0:27:54 > 0:27:55What do you think?
0:27:56 > 0:27:58- Bingo.- Bingo, that's what we wanted.
0:27:58 > 0:28:00Yeah, very nice indeed.
0:28:00 > 0:28:02It's so attractive, it's so...
0:28:02 > 0:28:04Oh, love it.
0:28:04 > 0:28:06And also beautiful views.
0:28:06 > 0:28:09- So, could you imagine moving straight in?- Yes.- Really?
0:28:09 > 0:28:11My bags are packed.
0:28:11 > 0:28:14It looked like she was ready to move in already and I had a feeling
0:28:14 > 0:28:17she'd think the kitchen was a cook's paradise.
0:28:18 > 0:28:22- Ta-da!- It just gets better. It just gets better.
0:28:22 > 0:28:25- Incredible.- I'm speechless.
0:28:25 > 0:28:27- It's absolutely... - What do you think?
0:28:27 > 0:28:30It's just making me want to be here now.
0:28:30 > 0:28:33- That's what we like. - Moving in now, tomorrow.
0:28:33 > 0:28:37The master bedroom in this house was magnificent and came with stunning
0:28:37 > 0:28:38views that, on a clear day,
0:28:38 > 0:28:41stretched all the way to the Lakeland fells.
0:28:41 > 0:28:43But, to really seal the deal,
0:28:43 > 0:28:47I wanted to show her somewhere that could take sleeping
0:28:47 > 0:28:48to a whole new level.
0:28:49 > 0:28:52Oh! That's a surprise. I wasn't expecting this.
0:28:52 > 0:28:55I was thinking, when Anthony comes down to visit,
0:28:55 > 0:28:56you could have a bed up there,
0:28:56 > 0:28:59all made up, and then have this as your study.
0:28:59 > 0:29:00What do you think, Norman?
0:29:00 > 0:29:03Yeah, it's pretty good. I'd put a bed upstairs.
0:29:04 > 0:29:06While the garden was a small one,
0:29:06 > 0:29:09it made up for its size with those incredible views.
0:29:09 > 0:29:14This is your garden, this is the house, what's the price?
0:29:14 > 0:29:16Let's go 262.
0:29:16 > 0:29:19- Norman?- I would think 240.
0:29:19 > 0:29:20240?
0:29:20 > 0:29:25This property, in its current state, is on the market for...
0:29:25 > 0:29:28249,950.
0:29:28 > 0:29:31- Where's my cheque-book? - I was nearest.- You were nearest.
0:29:31 > 0:29:33Priced within her budget,
0:29:33 > 0:29:36this house certainly seemed to fit the vision Angela had
0:29:36 > 0:29:38of her dream home.
0:29:41 > 0:29:45I'd shown Angela two very thought-provoking properties
0:29:45 > 0:29:48and, at the time, I did think she had a clear favourite
0:29:48 > 0:29:49but it's never over
0:29:49 > 0:29:51until we've thrown the Mystery House into the mix
0:29:51 > 0:29:53so let's see what she thought of that.
0:29:53 > 0:29:57For our mystery property, we stayed in south Cumbria but headed further
0:29:57 > 0:29:59west to the small hamlet of Hale,
0:29:59 > 0:30:02just outside the village of Milnthorpe.
0:30:02 > 0:30:06A converted cow shed, or shippen, lay in wait,
0:30:06 > 0:30:11dating back to the 1700s, in a farmstead development of six houses.
0:30:11 > 0:30:15- Oh, wow!- So, in from the lane,
0:30:15 > 0:30:18you come into this lovely cobbled courtyard
0:30:18 > 0:30:20and the property I want to show you is this one,
0:30:20 > 0:30:22with the castellated turret.
0:30:22 > 0:30:24- Yeah.- What are your first impressions?
0:30:24 > 0:30:28- Fantastic.- It's very interesting, it's very attractive.
0:30:28 > 0:30:30- Yes.- Very attractive.- I won't say nice, it's better than nice.
0:30:30 > 0:30:33- Better than nice.- But I can't wait to see the inside of the rooms
0:30:33 > 0:30:36because, I mean, having sort of your own turret.
0:30:36 > 0:30:39- Never had one of those before. - Queen of the castle.- Yes.
0:30:41 > 0:30:44It was clear that Angela couldn't wait to get inside.
0:30:46 > 0:30:49Past the turret... straight into the kitchen.
0:30:49 > 0:30:52- Oh, that was a surprise. - Now, what do you think?
0:30:52 > 0:30:54It's big enough. Plenty of work space.
0:30:54 > 0:30:56Lots of character, got the beams.
0:30:56 > 0:30:58- It has got the beams, yeah.- Yes.
0:30:58 > 0:31:01- Yes?- Bay window, enough room for a table.
0:31:01 > 0:31:04- That's good.- Does it feel like the sort of house you want to live in?
0:31:04 > 0:31:08- It feels lovely.- Should we go look upstairs?- Yeah.
0:31:08 > 0:31:10Our Mystery House did have an unusual layout,
0:31:10 > 0:31:13as also on the ground floor was the guest bedroom,
0:31:13 > 0:31:15which came with its own en suite.
0:31:15 > 0:31:17Upstairs, we found the sitting room.
0:31:18 > 0:31:20Up the turret...
0:31:21 > 0:31:22..into the main living space.
0:31:22 > 0:31:26- Beams.- Beams.- Small windows.
0:31:26 > 0:31:29Lots of character. That's, that's wonderful, isn't it?
0:31:29 > 0:31:32And, look, gives you for the first time a proper,
0:31:32 > 0:31:34- functioning open fire.- Great.
0:31:34 > 0:31:37I'm surprised that there's an open fire in a building upstairs.
0:31:37 > 0:31:41Again, historical, because shippens, people lived above the animals,
0:31:41 > 0:31:42the animals would be down below
0:31:42 > 0:31:45and they could live up here so they needed the fire.
0:31:45 > 0:31:47- That's great.- Norman?
0:31:47 > 0:31:50Plenty of room. Take out some of the bigger furniture.
0:31:50 > 0:31:52- There's a door there. - A door with a lovely balcony.
0:31:52 > 0:31:55- Onto a balcony.- Yes. So you could sit out there on a summer's evening.
0:31:55 > 0:31:59- It really is Rapunzel-like, isn't it?- Mm.
0:31:59 > 0:32:00And you would sleep...
0:32:01 > 0:32:03..right next door.
0:32:03 > 0:32:06The period charm of this place continued to cast
0:32:06 > 0:32:10its spell over them as we stepped next door into the master bedroom.
0:32:10 > 0:32:13So, you've got an en suite there and you come straight into
0:32:13 > 0:32:15a good-sized bedroom.
0:32:15 > 0:32:17It is a good size, isn't it?
0:32:17 > 0:32:21- I like this room. Yes. - Yes, I like it as well.- Yeah.
0:32:21 > 0:32:24- I think the whole property has a very nice feel to it.- It's great.
0:32:24 > 0:32:28This conversion had a really pretty, private rear garden
0:32:28 > 0:32:31and patio. But it was time to talk money.
0:32:31 > 0:32:34Well, that's the package, what's the price?
0:32:34 > 0:32:36I will be going...
0:32:38 > 0:32:39..260?
0:32:39 > 0:32:42- Norman?- 250, full budget.
0:32:42 > 0:32:46Well, this property is actually on the market
0:32:46 > 0:32:50for exactly the same price as the last one, 249,950.
0:32:52 > 0:32:54- I win.- You win again.
0:32:54 > 0:32:58Coming in just under her budget of £250,000,
0:32:58 > 0:33:02our Mystery House certainly seemed to have caused quite the dilemma.
0:33:03 > 0:33:06House number two's cottagey charm had her ready to sign
0:33:06 > 0:33:09there and then, but, as is often the case,
0:33:09 > 0:33:12the Mystery House's character and quirky style
0:33:12 > 0:33:14had an immediate impact.
0:33:14 > 0:33:15So, which one did she pick?
0:33:18 > 0:33:21There was a moment back there when none of us really knew
0:33:21 > 0:33:23which house Angela was going to go for.
0:33:23 > 0:33:26But I am delighted to say that she fell in love with
0:33:26 > 0:33:30the Mystery House and here I am, five years later,
0:33:30 > 0:33:34to find out how her countryside adventure has panned out.
0:33:43 > 0:33:46- Hey, Angela. - Hi.- So lovely to see you.
0:33:46 > 0:33:49- Welcome back.- I love it. I remember this courtyard,
0:33:49 > 0:33:52- I remember the famous turret. - Yes. Beautiful sunny day as well.
0:33:52 > 0:33:55I know, I've brought the sunshine. I can't wait to see what you've done.
0:33:59 > 0:34:02- Come in.- Oh, wow!
0:34:04 > 0:34:06- It looks a bit different. - It's so different.
0:34:07 > 0:34:11My God, there's like a whole new space there. That wasn't there,
0:34:11 > 0:34:13- was it?- No, that is an extension that we put on
0:34:13 > 0:34:15two years after moving in.
0:34:15 > 0:34:17- Oh, right.- So everything's been done in stages.
0:34:17 > 0:34:21The kitchen was the first thing. I think the character is great.
0:34:21 > 0:34:23I've tried to keep as much of that as possible.
0:34:23 > 0:34:26- And the garden's completely different.- It is.
0:34:26 > 0:34:28It was not like that at all, was it?
0:34:28 > 0:34:31- No, we actually took out 60 tonnes of soil...- No way!
0:34:31 > 0:34:32..to make it a sunken garden.
0:34:32 > 0:34:35- Blimey.- I've actually got more garden,
0:34:35 > 0:34:37usable garden now than I had before.
0:34:37 > 0:34:40- That makes...- Be better for me in my old age, not so many steps to go up.
0:34:40 > 0:34:43- Oh, good, so you're planning to stay here.- Yes. Of course.
0:34:43 > 0:34:46Angela has certainly been busy.
0:34:46 > 0:34:49As well as her extensive kitchen renovations,
0:34:49 > 0:34:52the ground floor bedroom has been updated,
0:34:52 > 0:34:54and she has even more to show me upstairs.
0:34:56 > 0:35:00I remember, it was these stairs and this room that won you over.
0:35:00 > 0:35:03- I remember it.- The turret. - The turret.
0:35:03 > 0:35:07- Oh, it's lovely.- Yes.- It's lovely. Real character.- Oh, it's great.
0:35:07 > 0:35:09Oh, you've replaced this, this was a big, open fire.
0:35:09 > 0:35:11It was an open fire.
0:35:11 > 0:35:14And it didn't actually give out a lot of heat.
0:35:14 > 0:35:17- Cos you loved... That was another one...- Yeah, and all the heat
0:35:17 > 0:35:19went up the chimney so we've put that in now, which is great.
0:35:19 > 0:35:22It's like a sauna up here now in the winter.
0:35:22 > 0:35:25That's nice, a stable door upstairs, I've not seen that before.
0:35:25 > 0:35:28- That's out onto your lovely balcony. - That goes on to the new balcony.
0:35:28 > 0:35:29So you've got those views that you loved.
0:35:29 > 0:35:32Got some chairs out there and some fruit trees.
0:35:32 > 0:35:37It's very tastefully finished, so beautiful, all your interior design.
0:35:38 > 0:35:41The master bedroom has also benefited from her magic touch,
0:35:41 > 0:35:44inspired in no small part by her new job,
0:35:44 > 0:35:47working for an interior design company.
0:35:47 > 0:35:51And the bathroom next door has been completely transformed.
0:35:51 > 0:35:53But those aren't the only changes in her life,
0:35:53 > 0:35:55so I'm keen to sit her down
0:35:55 > 0:35:58and grill her on everything that's been happening.
0:35:58 > 0:36:00So, come on, let's spill the beans.
0:36:00 > 0:36:02Actually, tell me about the house sale, was it difficult?
0:36:02 > 0:36:04How did it go? Because you were...
0:36:04 > 0:36:08..trying to go for a little cheeky offer, was that right?
0:36:08 > 0:36:11I did put in an offer, it was quite cheeky but it was accepted.
0:36:11 > 0:36:14Oh, really? So what did you pay for it in the end?
0:36:14 > 0:36:16230,000.
0:36:16 > 0:36:18- Gosh.- Yes.- And looking at it now...
0:36:18 > 0:36:22- Do you know how much it's worth now?- I think about 295.
0:36:22 > 0:36:25Wonderful. And the move generally, you...
0:36:25 > 0:36:29From Edinburgh down to the countryside, how was the transition?
0:36:29 > 0:36:31It was good.
0:36:31 > 0:36:33The locals are so friendly.
0:36:33 > 0:36:37I was immediately adopted and taken care of, and invited out.
0:36:39 > 0:36:41There's a great social life here.
0:36:41 > 0:36:44No, it's been good. Work changed.
0:36:44 > 0:36:47Yeah, because you were moving here because of a job.
0:36:47 > 0:36:49- How was that?- Well, it was fine.
0:36:49 > 0:36:52The school I was working for merged with another school
0:36:52 > 0:36:56and everybody was sort of pooled for their jobs,
0:36:56 > 0:37:00and it was quite a difficult year, really. But I chose not to stay.
0:37:00 > 0:37:02So you left education.
0:37:02 > 0:37:03- So I left education.- Oh.
0:37:03 > 0:37:05And were you tempted to go back to...
0:37:05 > 0:37:07Did you think it had all gone wrong?
0:37:07 > 0:37:10No, it's just time for a change, really.
0:37:10 > 0:37:14And the opportunity came up to be self-employed
0:37:14 > 0:37:17so I thought I would do that and enjoy the sunshine
0:37:17 > 0:37:21during the day and perhaps work in the evenings, if I want to.
0:37:21 > 0:37:23- Quite good.- That sounds like a good plan.
0:37:23 > 0:37:26I think when you start looking round and where would I move back to,
0:37:26 > 0:37:30I thought about going back to Edinburgh, but this location,
0:37:30 > 0:37:32I just love the house.
0:37:32 > 0:37:34I do love the house. You did really well.
0:37:36 > 0:37:38Angela was always a very keen cook,
0:37:38 > 0:37:41so I've promised to lend her hand in the kitchen
0:37:41 > 0:37:45where she's about to whip up some banana bread.
0:37:45 > 0:37:47It's like a home ec class.
0:37:47 > 0:37:50- Welcome to the WI. - Did you join the WI?
0:37:50 > 0:37:51- I did join the WI.- Oh!
0:37:51 > 0:37:54I want to know, how's it been being in the countryside?
0:37:54 > 0:37:56Cos you were a city girl, weren't you, really?
0:37:56 > 0:38:00I was, but, you know, with the countryside we've got around here,
0:38:00 > 0:38:03- it's great.- So, do you do a lot of entertaining and cooking?
0:38:03 > 0:38:04I do, yes, I do.
0:38:04 > 0:38:08I've done some cookery classes as well, for the WI.
0:38:08 > 0:38:11- Teaching people Thai cooking. - You're teaching there?- Yeah.
0:38:11 > 0:38:14- I have done, in the past.- I'm just going to bash these just because...
0:38:14 > 0:38:15- Just because you want to.- Yeah.
0:38:20 > 0:38:22Very good.
0:38:22 > 0:38:24Do you intend to stay here long, long, long term?
0:38:24 > 0:38:27I think I'll probably be coming out in a box.
0:38:27 > 0:38:30- Really?- Mm.- Well, that's... Coming out in a box is not great to hear,
0:38:30 > 0:38:33but the fact that you're going to stay here for the rest of your life
0:38:33 > 0:38:35- is wonderful.- I think so. And, I mean, the house is
0:38:35 > 0:38:38- so well-designed for that as well for old age, so...- Yeah.
0:38:38 > 0:38:40..having everything downstairs.
0:38:40 > 0:38:43- We did you good.- You did. Did really well.
0:38:43 > 0:38:46I love these sort of recipes where you literally just throw
0:38:46 > 0:38:47- everything in.- How much cinnamon?
0:38:47 > 0:38:50One tea...tablespoon, that's quite a lot of cinnamon.
0:38:50 > 0:38:52- And then whiz.- Then whiz.
0:38:53 > 0:38:56MACHINE WHIZZES
0:38:59 > 0:39:01It's the magic of cake.
0:39:07 > 0:39:09And then dot with the pecans.
0:39:12 > 0:39:14Oh, it's really good.
0:39:14 > 0:39:18We'll enjoy that later but there are other key ingredients
0:39:18 > 0:39:21in Angela's life that have made her move fulfilling.
0:39:21 > 0:39:25A little bird tells me there's a certain special person in your life.
0:39:25 > 0:39:27- Yes.- And how did you meet him?
0:39:27 > 0:39:29He built the extension.
0:39:29 > 0:39:30Love it.
0:39:30 > 0:39:32You bagged the builder.
0:39:32 > 0:39:36- Yes.- And how long have you been together? What's his name?
0:39:36 > 0:39:38- Robert.- Robert. How long have you and Robert been together?
0:39:38 > 0:39:40- Three years now.- Three years.
0:39:40 > 0:39:43- Yeah.- Wow, very good.
0:39:43 > 0:39:46Angela certainly seems to have mastered the recipe for success
0:39:46 > 0:39:48when it comes to her new life,
0:39:48 > 0:39:51but now it's time to get back to the kitchen.
0:39:55 > 0:39:58- Oh, there we go.- Looks lovely.
0:39:58 > 0:40:00Are you still a member of the WI?
0:40:00 > 0:40:04- Not any more.- Not after this.- No. Not after this, I've been sacked.
0:40:04 > 0:40:05Been excommunicated.
0:40:05 > 0:40:07Now, when am I going to meet Robert?
0:40:07 > 0:40:13I think we're going to pop up to the clay pigeon shooting ground.
0:40:13 > 0:40:15Oh, is this another one of your country pursuits?
0:40:15 > 0:40:18- It is.- You're going hell for leather for the country pursuits.
0:40:18 > 0:40:21- Let's see if you're good shot or not.- No, I am a terrible shot.
0:40:21 > 0:40:22- So am I.- Oh, there you go.
0:40:22 > 0:40:25- I'm still learning. - I'll stick with you.
0:40:26 > 0:40:30Armed with enough banana bread to keep even the hungriest person
0:40:30 > 0:40:33happy, we're heading off to meet Robert,
0:40:33 > 0:40:37the man responsible not only for the fantastic work on Angela's home,
0:40:37 > 0:40:40but for her new-found happiness as well. This must be Robert.
0:40:40 > 0:40:44- Hiya.- Very nice to meet you.- Nice to meet you.- Heard a lot about you.
0:40:44 > 0:40:46All good things. It's an amazing spot.
0:40:46 > 0:40:48- It's fantastic.- What can we see from up here?
0:40:48 > 0:40:50Well, you've got Arnside Knott there,
0:40:50 > 0:40:53- Morecambe Bay the left.- Are you a local? Did you grow up around here?
0:40:53 > 0:40:56- Yeah.- Oh, you've got yourself a local.- Five miles away.- Yeah.
0:40:57 > 0:41:00Congratulations on your beautiful extension.
0:41:00 > 0:41:03- It looks really great.- Do you like it?- Yeah, really magical.
0:41:03 > 0:41:06- And we've made you some cake.- Made some cake.- Thank you.
0:41:06 > 0:41:07Have some cake.
0:41:09 > 0:41:11Oh, I'll have a little bit.
0:41:11 > 0:41:13I warn you, I've done this before.
0:41:13 > 0:41:15I'm a terrible shot.
0:41:15 > 0:41:17Jules would be appalled.
0:41:17 > 0:41:19But you can give me a few tips.
0:41:24 > 0:41:26Forward.
0:41:26 > 0:41:27Tuck it in.
0:41:28 > 0:41:30You'll swing to your left.
0:41:30 > 0:41:32- OK.- Just keep about a yard in front of you.
0:41:32 > 0:41:35- A yard.- Yeah. Say pull when you want it.
0:41:35 > 0:41:37- Yeah.- The first clay to come.
0:41:37 > 0:41:38Pull.
0:41:39 > 0:41:41GUNSHOT
0:41:43 > 0:41:46That's quite tough on the shoulder, isn't it? Pull.
0:41:47 > 0:41:48GUNSHOT
0:41:53 > 0:41:55Ah, see the smoke coming out.
0:41:55 > 0:41:58It might be better if you just move it up slightly.
0:42:00 > 0:42:01Pull.
0:42:02 > 0:42:03GUNSHOT
0:42:05 > 0:42:07Oh, that's quite enough.
0:42:07 > 0:42:10Enough public shame. I'll leave it to the experts.
0:42:10 > 0:42:11I'd love to see you shoot.
0:42:11 > 0:42:15And it's so nice to see you both looking so happy and healthy.
0:42:15 > 0:42:17Come on, show me your countryside skills.
0:42:17 > 0:42:19I'll eat cake. I'm much better at that.
0:42:19 > 0:42:20Pull.
0:42:22 > 0:42:24GUNSHOT
0:42:24 > 0:42:25Ah, shot!
0:42:28 > 0:42:31It's such a treat catching up with our home buyers and finding out
0:42:31 > 0:42:33what they've done to their properties.
0:42:33 > 0:42:36I mean, that extension! Actually, everything that Angela
0:42:36 > 0:42:39and her builder boyfriend Robert have done
0:42:39 > 0:42:41to their property in Lancashire.
0:42:41 > 0:42:44I mean, it could be inside an interior design magazine.
0:42:44 > 0:42:48And, also, I can't stop thinking about the extension to the cattery
0:42:48 > 0:42:50that Belinda and Kevin have done.
0:42:50 > 0:42:52I'm going to have to come back in four years
0:42:52 > 0:42:55and see what it looks like. I hope you've enjoyed all these revisits,
0:42:55 > 0:42:59and you'll join us again for another edition of I Escaped To The Country.
0:43:01 > 0:43:05If you dream of escaping to the country in Wales, Scotland, England,
0:43:05 > 0:43:09or Northern Ireland, and would also like our help,
0:43:09 > 0:43:12why not apply online at: