Dorset Escape to the Country


Dorset

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Described as one of the most romantic sites in England,

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this street with its views of the countryside beyond is

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one of the most filmed and photographed in Great Britain.

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So where is it? I'll tell you in just a moment.

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Today, our homebuyers are planning to make every second count

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as they gear up for a move to the country.

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Oh! HE LAUGHS

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Wow.

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And there are plenty of surprises in store for them.

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I'm just...

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-Yeah, I'm just...

-Speechless.

-Yes, lost for words.

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Today, I'm in Dorset, and this is Gold Hill in Shaftesbury, which

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overlooks Blackmore Vale in the distance.

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Until the last century, this street was a busy market where local

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produce and livestock was sold.

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In more recent times, though,

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it has become the poster town that really evokes old England,

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and its image has been used on everything from film sets to

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book covers to chocolate boxes.

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Even in this rain, looking at Gold Hill, it's easy to see why.

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Dorset is situated on the southwest coast of England and is bordered

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by the four counties of Devon, Somerset, Wiltshire and Hampshire.

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Over half the region is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty,

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with scenic expanses of undulating green a feature.

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Handsome houses sit in dramatic valleys surrounded by gentle hills.

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Villages like Briantspuddle near Dorchester are packed with

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the charming thatched cottages the area is known for,

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bordered by vibrant flowers spilling onto country lanes.

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This is classic Thomas Hardy country

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and just nine miles from where he was born, so it's clear to see why

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he drew inspiration for his novels from the striking Dorset landscape.

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Proud to be one of the few counties in England without a single

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stretch of motorway running through it,

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and coupled with its unspoilt vistas, Dorset is an appealing

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choice for those who want to go far from the madding crowd.

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If you're thinking of house hunting in one of England's four most

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southwesterly counties -

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so Dorset, Somerset, Devon or Cornwall -

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you'll soon realise that Dorset is the most expensive.

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A detached property here will cost you on average £320,000,

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that's around £24,000 more than neighbouring Devon

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and about £45,000 above the national average.

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It's Dorset's coastal properties that are pushing up average

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prices across the county as a whole.

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So if you're not bothered about sea view,

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look north, where your property pound should stretch a little

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further, which is great news for today's

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couple as that's exactly where they're looking for a new home.

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Retired school business manager Lisa

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and IT salesman Jim from Totton in Hampshire

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met across a curry more than a decade ago.

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We've been together for 11 years, and we met in an Indian restaurant.

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I was out celebrating my birthday and Lisa was out with a girlfriend.

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They married ten months after their spicy encounter,

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uniting their two families.

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I have a daughter called Jade.

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She's 22 and she's just finished a university degree

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in Plymouth. And then I've got a stepson, James, who's in the Army.

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He drives tanks for a living and absolutely loves it.

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And four months ago,

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Lisa and Jim added a four-legged friend to their clan.

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-We have a dog, we have Shugs...

-Shugs.

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..which we got back in May from a rescue centre.

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-He's a Rottweiler cross, um...

-Ridgeback.

-Ridgeback.

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And he's a big, soft gentleman.

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Here's my companion now that I don't work.

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When Jim's at work, he's my friend.

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A couple of years ago, Lisa and Jim went through a hard time

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when Lisa was diagnosed with breast cancer.

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But happily, she was given the all-clear last year.

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She decided to take early retirement and her experience has given them

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both the desire to move to the country

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in search of a better quality of life.

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It changed my outlook on life completely.

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Life is for living, you just don't know what's around the corner,

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hence why we want to do this move,

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hence getting the dog. Life's too short.

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You've got to take everything you can when it's given to you.

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She's come out the other end.

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She's come out the other end extremely healthy

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and with a new vigour for life.

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Lisa and Jim have decided they'd love to live in an area they've

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driven through many times over the years.

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What we love about North Dorset is the greenery.

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Just the wide open spaces,

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the millions of shades of green. It's just beautiful.

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And it's a bit more undulating than here.

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There's a few more hills for wandering up and down with the dog.

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I think it's going to take a lot of the stress out of my life,

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definitely.

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I'm hoping the move down there,

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because it's a small village, there'll be more of a community

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and so there'll be a lot more things that I can take part in.

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And Lisa and Jim know exactly what they want in their new

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country abode.

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What we're looking for in the new house would be three bedrooms,

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plus a study, a wet room for looking after the dog,

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a largish garden so that we can grow vegetables

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and also so it's suitable for the dog.

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I ideally would like a large kitchen still because we enjoy our cooking.

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And I would like an en suite to the bedroom.

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-It's got to be country views.

-And somewhere with a bit of character.

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Yeah.

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Not something that is just cookie cut from the same plan

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and just copied and copied and copied.

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Although they'll be living their rural dream,

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Jim will still be commuting to work in London three days a week.

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Yeah, I guess it's going to add an hour each way to my journey,

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potentially, so that is something of some concern.

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But I think the gains outweigh the extra journey,

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so I'm happy to do that.

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And while Jim's working hard, Lisa will be enjoying a new hobby.

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I've now started to do some painting,

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or attempting to do some painting.

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That's quite nice because that's quite relaxing.

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Actually, I think she's doing a really good job.

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She's thrown herself at it and every painting she does,

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she gets better and better.

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So with their desire to make the most of every day,

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Lisa and Jim are ready to grab their new life with both hands.

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I think now's the right time.

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We've decided that something we would have done eventually anyway,

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we're just going to do sooner.

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Lisa and Jim have asked us to concentrate our search

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in the North Dorset area, close to South Somerset.

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But they're happy to consider properties

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either side of the border.

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They'd like to be between their children, who are in Plymouth

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and Tidworth near Salisbury.

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Before we start viewing homes for Lisa and Jim to escape to,

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I'm meeting them in North Dorset

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to make sure we've got their property desires covered.

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Jim and Lisa, welcome to Dorset.

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It's a little bit misty, but we're hoping it's going to clear up.

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Tell us more about where you'd like to live,

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because you still need to have access to London, don't you, Jim?

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Yeah, I work a lot in London and therefore I've got to

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get to a station that's within about two hours of London.

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That just makes it the right sort of commute.

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We know people who live in London and have an hour's commute,

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so two hours doesn't seem that... Not excessive.

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-Not that much more.

-No.

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So not too rural.

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Not stuck out in the middle of nowhere but within easy reach

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of a station would be good.

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What kind of position are you in with your old house?

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-Well, we've just sold the house, so subject to contract...

-Brilliant.

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So it's all guns blazing, get ready, find us that house, please.

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-You're absolutely ready to move.

-Ready to move.

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I'll find you the house, tell me your budget.

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-Our budget is 450,000.

-OK, great.

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I've got three properties lined up for you.

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-And as you're ready to move, let's go.

-OK.

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Lisa and Jim's budget should comfortably cover their wish list,

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which, luckily, isn't too extensive.

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They'd like a character three-bedroom detached house

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plus a study

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and a room for their dog to wipe his muddy paws is a must.

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Lisa would love a large kitchen-diner to cook

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and entertain in

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and an en suite to their bedroom would be a bonus.

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Outside, they'd like a garden

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that can be a haven for both of them

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to grow vegetables, plus,

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for Shugs the dog to run around in.

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And finally, Jim needs to be able

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to commute into London for work

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three days a week.

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With their house sold, Jim and Lisa are raring to go.

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We'll be introducing them to three contrasting properties.

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And after they've toured each one, we'll let them know its cost.

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Their third and final stop will be to the Mystery House.

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And today, although it will give them something

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they really don't want, it will give them so much of what they do want,

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I hope they'll think it's a good trade-off.

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Lisa, do you feel really eager to move?

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Do you kind of have those butterflies

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about a move as big as this?

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Yeah, I'm really excited about it.

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I want to be able to walk out my front door

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and I'm in the countryside with the dog.

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My only concern is the commute for Jim...

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..because I want him to be able to enjoy the move as much as me

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and Shugs are going to do.

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I think I'll enjoy it.

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It'll just be more of a weekend enjoyment for me.

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Well, that's why I think you're OK with this move at this time,

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-aren't you, Lisa, because you'll have the dog as...

-A companion.

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Exactly. A friend around.

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I mean, that's one of the reasons why we got him.

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Was because when Jim's at work, and Jim tends to work long hours,

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it means I've got a companion

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and it means I've got something to get up for in the morning -

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-take him for his walk and...

-Yeah, it's nice to have that focus.

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-It keeps you fit.

-Yes, absolutely.

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It's helping bring my fitness back up.

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For our first property, we're heading to the village of Marnhull

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in the north of the county,

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just over seven miles from the town of Shaftesbury.

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Marnhull, one of the largest villages in England,

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sits in the Blackmore Vale.

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As well as a good selection of amenities,

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the village has the impressive stone church of St Gregory, which

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dates back to the early 12th century.

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Plus the village itself and its pub have both played parts

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in Thomas Hardy's novel Tess Of The d'Urbervilles,

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but with their names changed.

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Located on the outskirts of Marnhull is our first house.

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This pretty double-fronted cottage.

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THEY CHUCKLE

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Oh. Oh, that's beautiful.

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-Are those tears?

-They are, yeah.

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Oh, my God. On the first house!

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-It's got loads of character.

-Absolutely plenty of that.

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-It's just beautiful, isn't it?

-Yeah.

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-It's chocolate box.

-That's the word.

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-It's a cottage that dates back to the 1680s.

-Oh, wow.

-Wow.

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And we have thought about you, Jim.

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Obviously, the tears from Lisa says that she's going to buy

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the house anyway, but we are very, very close to Gillingham

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and so under a two-hour commute to London from there.

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-Fantastic.

-Fantastic.

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OK. Composed.

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-So far, so good.

-Yeah.

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I can't wait to see the inside now.

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This picture-perfect cottage that has reduced Lisa to tears is

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built from local Marnhull stone.

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In 1860, it was extended from a single dwelling

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to a two-bedroom cottage, with a further extension

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around 30 years ago.

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We are entering straight into the sitting room

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and dining area, which takes up the whole of the oldest

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part of the property and is teaming with period features.

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Come in.

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-Wow.

-Wow.

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-This really does have character.

-It does.

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Size wise, how does this work for you?

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-This is fine.

-This is fine.

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

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This is absolutely great.

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-I like it, actually, that you've almost got two separate areas.

-Yeah.

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-Yeah. I like this.

-It's cosy.

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-It is.

-It's just really cosy.

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I can imagine being sat there with the fire on in the evening.

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THEY LAUGH

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-She's not always crying, though, is she?

-I do cry a lot.

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You wouldn't believe it.

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You wouldn't believe how much.

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-Yeah, ticking my boxes so far.

-Good.

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Let's show you the kitchen and the rest of the downstairs,

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-the new addition to this cottage.

-OK. Brilliant.

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The kitchen sits behind this large reception room

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and is three centuries younger than its neighbour.

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This is the former exterior to the cottage, so all this was added.

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What do you think about the size?

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It's a bit smaller than I'm used to,

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but it's beautiful.

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-We can make this work easily.

-Could you?

-Yeah.

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There is a shed outside that the current owner is

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using as a utility, so all the water and everything is in there

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and her washing machine and everything is out there

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so that's why you don't see any of those.

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-I hadn't even thought about them.

-No, I hadn't.

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Because there wouldn't be room for that here.

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And then this conservatory was added 20 years ago.

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So you could use that as your formal dining area if you wanted.

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-You really like this house, don't you?

-Yeah.

-Yeah, we do.

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I do really like this house.

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-It was a real surprise.

-It is, yes.

-It is beautiful.

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This character cottage is definitely charming Lisa and Jim,

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and the upstairs mirrors the ground floor.

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There is a family bathroom with a large corner bath

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plus three bedrooms - two bright doubles

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and the largest is the master.

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It overlooks the front of the property

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and comes complete with a sink.

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It feels a little bit small.

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It's just an observation, it's not really a criticism at all.

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I don't like the sink in the room.

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I guess you can move the sink easily enough.

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I'm still sold on it, though.

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-Let's go outside.

-OK.

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So it's all good inside as we head outdoors to see what Lisa

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and Jim make of the pretty gardens

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to the side and back of the cottage.

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There's plenty of space for their dog to stretch his legs.

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There are also three sheds and a summer house,

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which could be that inspirational retreat

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that encourages Lisa to pick up her paintbrush.

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-Is this enough space for you?

-Oh, plenty, yeah.

-Plenty.

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Absolutely, yeah. And it's enclosed as well, which is good for the dog.

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-Exactly.

-And I can plant a few fruit trees.

-Yeah, you can.

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-Plenty of space for that here.

-Yeah.

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A bit quirky. It's got different areas, which I like.

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But how much is this house going to cost you?

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This is the bit that's going to upset me, I think,

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because I think it's going to be over our budget.

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I think it's going to be on the market for 465.

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-Jim?

-I don't think you'd be that cruel,

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so I'm going to say it's inside the budget,

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and I'm going to say 439.

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It's actually on the market for 425.

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Wow!

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But does it change your opinion of the house in any way?

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-I like it even more.

-THEY LAUGH

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Good, good.

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Go and have a look at the house and I'll meet you out front.

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-All right.

-OK. Thank you.

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This period cottage has come in at £25,000 under

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Lisa and Jim's budget, leaving them

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with a generous amount of change that could go towards

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converting one of the sheds into a wet room for their beloved dog.

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They wanted character and they have it in spades here,

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plus, there's just the number of bedrooms they wanted and

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a conservatory.

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There are also good train links for

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when Jim has to travel to London for work.

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So, what do you think?

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I think I would make this the master bedroom

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and convert the master into a dressing room and casual bedroom.

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-Bed-settee, something like that.

-OK.

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When I first saw the house, I was very emotional

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and Jim was very reserved, and that is normally how we work as a couple.

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He's the sensible head and I'm the one that goes with my heart.

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It was everything I could think of in the front of the house.

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It was just beautiful.

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I really love this property, I think it's an incredible place.

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It's everything that I think we imagined

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that we would want in a property.

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I guess I'm just trying to be a little bit more practical.

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Just thinking things through

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and just making sure that life would work in a place like this.

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-Do you love it even more?

-Yeah, it's lovely.

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-You have to persuade Jim round, though.

-Yeah, absolutely.

0:16:220:16:25

-We've got to keep it sensible.

-All right, all right.

0:16:250:16:27

-I've got another house to show you.

-Thank you.

0:16:270:16:30

Our buyers can't wait to find their country retreat,

0:16:340:16:37

and they're hoping to live the good life.

0:16:370:16:39

And Jim is keen to have an abundance of fruit trees in his garden.

0:16:390:16:43

So to give them a taste of what could lie ahead,

0:16:430:16:46

we've arranged for them to visit Dorset Nectar,

0:16:460:16:48

an organic orchard farm near Bridport which

0:16:480:16:52

produces 200 tonnes of apples a year from its 3,000 trees.

0:16:520:16:56

And some of its juicy annual harvest

0:16:560:16:59

is turned into 65,000 litres of Dorset cider.

0:16:590:17:03

Oliver Strong left South Africa over three decades ago

0:17:030:17:06

and has lived in Dorset for ten years.

0:17:060:17:09

He is at the helm of the family business.

0:17:090:17:12

-How many varieties do you have here?

-We have 11 varieties.

0:17:120:17:14

OK, and what variety is this that we're looking at now?

0:17:140:17:17

This is a Dabinett.

0:17:170:17:18

And there's nothing on it, there's no marks whatsoever.

0:17:180:17:20

Not a single spray has been on it. It makes a very, very good cider.

0:17:200:17:24

It's renowned for very strong, smooth cider.

0:17:240:17:26

-Can I eat it?

-Oh!

0:17:260:17:28

It's not meant for eating, but you can try it.

0:17:280:17:31

-And hard.

-Hard!

0:17:340:17:36

Wow, that's bitter. That's very dry.

0:17:400:17:43

The variety of apples Oliver grows here are perfect for cider

0:17:450:17:48

because their high tannin content gives the golden drink its

0:17:480:17:52

distinct, well-rounded southwest cider flavour.

0:17:520:17:55

When we get our new house,

0:17:550:17:57

we were thinking of maybe planting some apple trees.

0:17:570:18:00

How long before we could expect some fruit?

0:18:000:18:03

Cider trees you have to wait a little longer,

0:18:030:18:05

so instead of within the two or three years, maybe five years.

0:18:050:18:09

But it's well worth it.

0:18:090:18:11

With the apples that you have here, can you only make cider from it?

0:18:110:18:14

No, apart from making a rich apple juice,

0:18:140:18:17

we also, after the cider has gone very hard and dry,

0:18:170:18:20

we make a fantastic vinegar.

0:18:200:18:22

This is where some of his cider is transformed to vinegar.

0:18:230:18:27

Oliver makes around 10,000 litres a year,

0:18:270:18:29

and it's sold mainly to health stores around Britain.

0:18:290:18:33

What's the difference between cider vinegar and cider?

0:18:330:18:38

Cider, of course, has alcohol.

0:18:380:18:39

Vinegar actually uses and consumes alcohol.

0:18:390:18:43

It makes it acidic into a vinegar.

0:18:430:18:46

The cider is poured into oak barrels which

0:18:460:18:48

hold 220 litres of the amber nectar.

0:18:480:18:52

If you'd like to pour it in to our vinegar barrel.

0:18:520:18:56

When the cider is exposed to air in the barrel, it ferments,

0:18:560:19:00

turning the alcohol to acetic acid, which is basically vinegar.

0:19:000:19:04

The liquid will remain in the barrel for three to five years.

0:19:040:19:07

The longer it's in, the stronger the flavour.

0:19:070:19:10

And as it develops,

0:19:100:19:11

a jellylike substance called mother forms on its surface.

0:19:110:19:15

It's the live enzymes in the mother that eat the alcohol

0:19:150:19:19

present in the cider.

0:19:190:19:21

Do you add anything to it to help with it...?

0:19:210:19:23

No, just a lot of love and care!

0:19:230:19:25

THEY LAUGH

0:19:250:19:27

And what prompted you to make cider vinegar

0:19:270:19:29

rather than just making cider?

0:19:290:19:30

Well, we're very passionate in vinegar, but we realise

0:19:300:19:33

we need to make money first so we made cider and now vinegar.

0:19:330:19:37

And we think the vinegar is extremely healthy for you.

0:19:370:19:40

We recommend you take it at least three times a day.

0:19:400:19:43

-Before a meal.

-What, naturally, on its own?

0:19:430:19:45

Oh, absolutely.

0:19:450:19:47

Many believe that as well as sprucing up a salad dressing,

0:19:470:19:50

cider vinegar also has numerous health benefits and it's thought

0:19:500:19:53

it help with ailments such as diabetes, arthritis

0:19:530:19:57

and also colds and sore throats.

0:19:570:19:59

If you'd like to grab a bottle, I'll show you how it's done.

0:19:590:20:02

-OK.

-You just slide it up, put it onto the tray.

0:20:020:20:04

Yeah.

0:20:060:20:07

-How does it taste?

-Oh, you should try it, try some.

0:20:070:20:09

It's very good.

0:20:090:20:11

-I think Lisa should try it.

-Oh, thanks.

0:20:110:20:13

-There you go.

-Right, OK.

0:20:150:20:18

-It's an acquired taste.

-Can I try some?

-Yes.

0:20:240:20:27

It's strong.

0:20:320:20:34

That's really good.

0:20:340:20:35

It's like... It's just like an acidic cider.

0:20:350:20:38

-You can still really taste the apples in it.

-Yes, absolutely.

0:20:380:20:42

If the taste is too tart, mixing a tablespoon of the vinegar

0:20:420:20:45

with water and honey will help it slip down nicely.

0:20:450:20:48

-It's been such a great day.

-I'm glad you came.

0:20:480:20:50

-Thank you very much, Oliver.

-You take care now.

-Thank you.

0:20:500:20:53

For our next property, we are travelling just under ten

0:20:570:21:00

miles northwest to the small hamlet of Stowell close to the

0:21:000:21:04

Dorset-Somerset border, but it's actually in Somerset.

0:21:040:21:08

Two and a half miles south of Stowell

0:21:080:21:10

is the village of Milborne Port, also in Somerset.

0:21:100:21:14

It has an attractive centre full of character with sandy coloured

0:21:140:21:17

stone cottages lining the streets.

0:21:170:21:19

And not only does the village offer locals a good selection of shops

0:21:190:21:23

and pubs, it also boasts the Grade I listed red brick

0:21:230:21:27

and Ham stone Ven House built at the end of the 16th century.

0:21:270:21:31

A six-minute drive and we're at our second property -

0:21:310:21:34

this handsome home with an interesting past.

0:21:340:21:37

-Oh.

-Oh, wow!

0:21:380:21:40

Oh. Oh, dear.

0:21:410:21:43

-You have a dilemma, don't you?

-Yeah.

0:21:430:21:45

It's lovely, again. From the outside, it's beautiful.

0:21:450:21:48

Again, it's picture postcard, chocolate box.

0:21:480:21:52

-It's not a bad dilemma to have, liking two houses.

-No.

0:21:520:21:55

-It's a little bit different from the cottage.

-Yeah.

0:21:550:21:58

-This used to be an old schoolhouse.

-Ah.

-Brilliant.

0:21:580:22:01

And don't know whether you noticed,

0:22:010:22:03

but we have just hopped across the border.

0:22:030:22:06

-Have we snuck into Somerset?

-Oh, OK.

-Just, yeah.

0:22:060:22:08

That's fine. How far are we from trains?

0:22:080:22:11

Not far from a mainline station -

0:22:110:22:12

a few minutes' drive - and then two hours into London.

0:22:120:22:16

That's taken care of. It's now whether you like the house or not.

0:22:160:22:20

I like the outside of the house.

0:22:200:22:22

I'm just a bit concerned about the size of the garden.

0:22:220:22:25

Well, there's a dog bowl, so...it might be workable.

0:22:250:22:29

Shall we go and see if the inside, sizewise, works for you?

0:22:290:22:32

Yes, please.

0:22:320:22:34

This stone house is thought to be early Victorian.

0:22:340:22:37

In the past, it has been used

0:22:370:22:38

as both a schoolroom and a village hall.

0:22:380:22:41

Once inside, we're heading straight to the largest of the living spaces.

0:22:410:22:45

This is one of two reception rooms that the property has,

0:22:450:22:50

so this would be your main living room.

0:22:500:22:52

It's not hitting me...

0:22:520:22:54

Yeah, the outside is saying one thing

0:22:540:22:57

and the inside's saying something different.

0:22:570:22:59

Yeah, so I guess, for me,

0:22:590:23:01

I'm looking for that quaint oldsy-worldsy character.

0:23:010:23:08

This looks like a new build inside.

0:23:080:23:10

It's been done really nicely.

0:23:110:23:14

It just doesn't feel as homely as I was expecting.

0:23:140:23:18

-It's one room.

-Yes, exactly.

0:23:180:23:21

Let's stay open-minded.

0:23:210:23:23

-Let's give the place its chance.

-Oh, yeah. OK.

0:23:230:23:26

I'm glad Lisa and Jim are keeping their options

0:23:260:23:29

open as we move next door to the kitchen.

0:23:290:23:31

So I think the kitchen does have more of a country feel to it

0:23:310:23:35

than that living room.

0:23:350:23:36

-It's a nice kitchen.

-It is a nice kitchen.

0:23:360:23:38

I like what they've done with the colours.

0:23:380:23:41

It's nice and bright.

0:23:410:23:42

It's got more of a feel to it.

0:23:420:23:44

I guess it doesn't...

0:23:440:23:47

It doesn't hit me here.

0:23:470:23:50

I just don't think it's grabbing me.

0:23:500:23:52

Let's see if upstairs grabs you here. Then we can make a decision.

0:23:520:23:55

-Yeah.

-OK.

0:23:550:23:57

Also on the ground floor, there's a bright dining room,

0:23:590:24:02

a contemporary shower room and a utility which could double

0:24:020:24:06

up as an area for the dog as it has a door to the outside.

0:24:060:24:09

Then as we move up to the first floor,

0:24:110:24:13

there's a family bathroom and four bedrooms.

0:24:130:24:16

There are two doubles and a single currently in use as a study.

0:24:160:24:19

And at the front is the master bedroom

0:24:190:24:21

with an en suite shower room.

0:24:210:24:24

This with the beam, with the exposed beam...

0:24:240:24:26

-Does make a difference.

-Yeah, it really does.

0:24:260:24:28

This feels like you're in a schoolhouse because of the beam.

0:24:280:24:32

Yes, it definitely feels like an older property.

0:24:320:24:34

-Yeah, I don't know.

-You're on the fence.

-Yeah.

0:24:340:24:37

At the moment, I'm on the fence.

0:24:370:24:38

-You need to have a proper explore, don't you?

-Yeah, I think so.

0:24:380:24:42

-Well, let's go outside.

-OK.

0:24:420:24:44

We'll discuss things a little bit more

0:24:440:24:45

and then you can have your explore.

0:24:450:24:47

-OK, brilliant.

-Lead the way.

-Thank you.

0:24:470:24:49

The inside of this cottage hasn't elicited the emotions from

0:24:510:24:54

Lisa that the first house did, but we're not quite finished yet.

0:24:540:24:58

The pretty enclosed garden is to the side of the house

0:25:000:25:03

and there's also a detached garage and a shed.

0:25:030:25:06

But has Lisa changed her mind about the size of the outside space?

0:25:060:25:10

The garden, for me, is still an issue, I feel.

0:25:120:25:15

What about the price?

0:25:150:25:17

I think this is more expensive than house one.

0:25:180:25:20

-So I'm going to go at the 440 mark again.

-OK.

0:25:200:25:25

I still think this is more than our budget,

0:25:250:25:28

and I'm going to stick at 465.

0:25:280:25:30

-OK.

-OK.

0:25:300:25:31

-It's actually on the market for £385,000.

-Whoa!

-Whoa!

0:25:320:25:37

Does that change your opinion of the house?

0:25:370:25:40

-No.

-No.

-Because that's a lot of money.

-It doesn't.

-Really?

0:25:400:25:43

The price shocks me because of what it has got,

0:25:430:25:47

but it's still lacking something

0:25:470:25:50

that... It's not making me feel like I'm at home.

0:25:500:25:53

Why don't you both go and have a look at the rest of the house

0:25:530:25:56

and I'll meet me at the front in a bit?

0:25:560:25:58

-OK.

-OK, thank you.

0:25:580:25:59

This Victorian house is £65,000 under Lisa and Jim's budget,

0:26:000:26:05

but is the change enough to buy them

0:26:050:26:08

the feeling they say

0:26:080:26:09

is missing for them here?

0:26:090:26:10

The stone house is full

0:26:100:26:12

of character on the outside

0:26:120:26:13

and it's got one more bedroom

0:26:130:26:15

than they asked for, which could

0:26:150:26:16

be used as a study for Jim

0:26:160:26:18

and it has also got the en suite

0:26:180:26:20

they were hoping for. Plus, there

0:26:200:26:21

is a utility room which

0:26:210:26:23

could be just the thing for the dog

0:26:230:26:25

and a pretty garden for him

0:26:250:26:27

to run around in, too.

0:26:270:26:28

The train journey to London

0:26:280:26:29

is around two hours,

0:26:290:26:30

which Jim should be happy with.

0:26:300:26:32

This house on paper gives us more of what we've asked for,

0:26:320:26:36

and it lacks something as well.

0:26:360:26:38

And it's an intangible thing that it lacks.

0:26:380:26:41

It's something that I wasn't expecting to experience.

0:26:410:26:45

This house is a beautiful house,

0:26:450:26:47

but, for me, it hasn't got the character

0:26:470:26:49

that I'm looking for in a property.

0:26:490:26:51

I love the history of it

0:26:510:26:52

and I love the fact that it's been restored beautifully.

0:26:520:26:57

The style that's been restored to isn't one that appeals to me.

0:26:570:27:01

I like how we saw a different side to Jim this afternoon.

0:27:040:27:08

Yeah, it was totally different to this morning.

0:27:080:27:10

Have the two houses that you've seen given you lots to think about?

0:27:100:27:14

It definitely has for me.

0:27:140:27:15

Yeah, and I'm starting to realise that maybe gut is more

0:27:150:27:21

important than the practicalities, as well.

0:27:210:27:23

-Let's go get a drink.

-OK.

0:27:230:27:24

It's the second day of our visit to North Dorset, searching out

0:27:310:27:35

a country haven for Lisa and Jim from Southampton to call home.

0:27:350:27:39

They've got a healthy £450,000 to spend

0:27:390:27:42

and they're looking for somewhere that's bursting with character.

0:27:420:27:46

Coming up, our Mystery House takes Lisa's breath away.

0:27:460:27:50

SHE LAUGHS

0:27:500:27:51

That's really amazing.

0:27:510:27:53

And I'll be taking the reins of an ancient sport.

0:27:530:27:56

-Well done.

-Good boys.

0:27:560:27:58

Good boys, good boys.

0:27:580:28:00

Yesterday, it was pretty clear how Lisa felt about both houses.

0:28:030:28:07

She had her emotions written all over her face.

0:28:070:28:10

Jim, however, was trying to play it a little cooler,

0:28:100:28:13

wanting to make sure he balanced practicality with gut feeling.

0:28:130:28:17

So I wonder how they'll both react to today's Mystery House.

0:28:170:28:20

It comes with character and space but also one big compromise -

0:28:200:28:24

it is the Mystery House, after all.

0:28:240:28:26

For our third and final property, we are journeying just over

0:28:280:28:31

seven miles west to the village of Corton Denham.

0:28:310:28:33

It's on the Dorset-Somerset border but officially in Somerset.

0:28:330:28:38

The ancient village is in a very rural location,

0:28:380:28:41

sitting in a valley with hills ebbing and flowing around it.

0:28:410:28:45

There's a dining pub and a church and breathtaking scenery.

0:28:450:28:49

Just to the north of the village is our Mystery House,

0:28:490:28:52

in a farm setting.

0:28:520:28:54

It may be deep in the heart of the countryside, but it's also

0:28:540:28:57

just under a two-hour train journey to get Jim to work in London.

0:28:570:29:00

-Come closer, come closer.

-Oh, the tears are coming!

0:29:020:29:04

That is stunning.

0:29:040:29:07

That's really amazing.

0:29:070:29:08

The mystery is...

0:29:080:29:10

that it is attached so...

0:29:100:29:13

-I never noticed that!

-THEY LAUGH

0:29:130:29:15

The whole thing was a flour mill.

0:29:150:29:17

-It's been converted into three separate houses.

-OK.

0:29:170:29:20

And this middle section is the one I want to show you.

0:29:200:29:23

-It's the kind of terraced house I could live in.

-Yeah!

0:29:230:29:26

Yeah. I guess it is a terraced house, yeah. Strictly speaking.

0:29:260:29:30

But the views, I mean, are just stunning.

0:29:300:29:34

To look at that every day.

0:29:340:29:36

We're in a valley, which means you've got views all the way round.

0:29:360:29:39

-It is stunning.

-It is just...

0:29:390:29:42

Yeah, that scores full marks on character.

0:29:420:29:45

Yeah.

0:29:450:29:47

This former of stone mill house

0:29:470:29:49

was converted to a family home in the 1980s

0:29:490:29:52

and is Grade II listed.

0:29:520:29:54

It seems to have overwhelmed Lisa and Jim

0:29:540:29:56

and I hope they get the feeling they're looking for

0:29:560:29:59

inside this property, too.

0:29:590:30:01

It may be attached, but it's certainly not lacking in space.

0:30:010:30:04

And as we enter the house, a large entrance hall

0:30:040:30:07

leads us to the kitchen at the back.

0:30:070:30:09

THEY LAUGH

0:30:090:30:11

-A good size.

-It's a very good size.

0:30:110:30:15

Oh, I'm going again.

0:30:150:30:16

-Love the view.

-Oh, this is lovely.

0:30:170:30:20

Oh!

0:30:200:30:22

Oh, God.

0:30:220:30:24

Excuse me.

0:30:240:30:25

-And the size is great.

-The size is fantastic.

0:30:250:30:28

Size is really good.

0:30:280:30:30

Through there is a separate dining room.

0:30:300:30:33

Wow. It's a nice size.

0:30:360:30:39

-That is good.

-It is.

0:30:390:30:40

It feels bigger on the inside than it looked from the outside.

0:30:400:30:43

-I don't know why.

-Well, that's because it is!

0:30:430:30:47

Normally, I'd take you upstairs at this point to see the bedrooms,

0:30:470:30:49

but I'm going to take you downstairs.

0:30:490:30:52

Oh, wow.

0:30:520:30:54

The house is laid out over four floors, and beneath us

0:30:540:30:57

is an open-plan drawing room that takes up the footprint of the entire

0:30:570:31:01

lower ground floor,

0:31:010:31:02

and it's actually on the same level as the garden.

0:31:020:31:05

-Wow.

-THEY LAUGH

0:31:050:31:09

-I'm just...

-I'm just... Yeah.

0:31:090:31:10

-Speechless.

-Yeah, lost for words.

0:31:100:31:14

What would you do with a space like this?

0:31:140:31:16

I mean, a man cave would be great,

0:31:160:31:18

but I feel guilty by having a man cave this big.

0:31:180:31:21

You could have it... Why restrict it to men?

0:31:210:31:23

-This could be an office-cum-painting-cum...

-Office?!

0:31:230:31:25

-I was thinking more entertaining, parties.

-That's true.

-This is...

0:31:250:31:29

This is...

0:31:290:31:30

-Straight onto the garden.

-Exactly.

0:31:300:31:33

Cocktail reception. Cinema room.

0:31:330:31:36

-Games room.

-Yeah.

0:31:360:31:38

It just... Yeah, the potential of how we could live here...

0:31:380:31:42

It's fair to say that both our buyers are bowled over by this

0:31:440:31:47

fabulous mill house.

0:31:470:31:48

And moving upstairs, two floors above the drawing room on the first

0:31:480:31:52

floor are two large double bedrooms divided by the landing.

0:31:520:31:56

We're heading to one of them.

0:31:560:31:57

-Oh, wow!

-Oh, wow!

0:31:590:32:00

So, this is one of two, really, master bedrooms

0:32:000:32:04

you could choose from.

0:32:040:32:05

-It's beautiful.

-It's huge.

0:32:050:32:07

You've got this size room with an en suite there.

0:32:070:32:09

And on the other side of the first floor, pretty much the same thing.

0:32:090:32:13

Another room with an en suite.

0:32:130:32:15

-That's fantastic.

-I just can't believe how big it is.

0:32:150:32:18

It's fantastic, it really is.

0:32:180:32:21

And then on the second floor, you have three bedrooms up there

0:32:210:32:25

with a family bathroom. Two of them doubles.

0:32:250:32:27

-Three more?

-So five altogether.

0:32:270:32:30

LISA LAUGHS

0:32:300:32:31

It's blown me away.

0:32:310:32:32

The Mystery House has blown me away.

0:32:320:32:35

I'm speechless. And it doesn't feel attached.

0:32:360:32:39

The house just hasn't put a foot wrong,

0:32:400:32:42

and I don't think anything is going to change as we head

0:32:420:32:45

outside to see what the garden holds for their beloved dog.

0:32:450:32:48

It certainly has fabulous views for Lisa and Jim.

0:32:480:32:51

There's access to the garden from a utility room.

0:32:510:32:55

How's this for a garden? Would Shugs like it?

0:32:560:32:58

-Oh, he'd love it.

-He'd love it. Absolutely would love it.

0:32:580:33:02

And I could have a vegetable patch here as well.

0:33:020:33:05

Plenty of room for that.

0:33:050:33:06

It's already got Jim's fruit trees.

0:33:060:33:09

-Oh, fantastic.

-Fantastic.

0:33:090:33:12

So it goes all the way down to the fence there

0:33:120:33:14

so it's the biggest garden we've shown you.

0:33:140:33:17

I think definitely.

0:33:170:33:18

And you've got a gazebo and a hot tub at the end of the garden.

0:33:180:33:23

If that's your style.

0:33:230:33:24

-Wow.

-How about that?!

0:33:240:33:27

-You can yourselves living here?

-Yeah.

0:33:280:33:30

So how much would this house cost you?

0:33:300:33:32

I think it's going to be way out of our budget.

0:33:320:33:35

I think it's going to be on the market for 525.

0:33:350:33:38

I don't think it's that much, but I do think it's over our budget,

0:33:380:33:41

so I'm going to say 470.

0:33:410:33:44

OK.

0:33:440:33:45

It's actually on the market for 450,000.

0:33:450:33:49

So I've used your entire budget, but I spoke to the owner

0:33:490:33:52

this morning and she said that she is willing to take offers.

0:33:520:33:56

-Wow.

-Oh!

0:33:560:33:58

I'm going again.

0:33:580:33:59

THEY LAUGH

0:33:590:34:01

Oh!

0:34:010:34:03

-Really?

-Yes.

0:34:040:34:06

It is accessible to you.

0:34:060:34:08

If you really want this house, you can have this house.

0:34:080:34:11

Oh!

0:34:110:34:12

SHE SIGHS

0:34:120:34:15

Well, there's a whole floor that you haven't seen yet.

0:34:150:34:18

-So go in and see that.

-OK.

0:34:180:34:20

Make sure you're happy with the rest of the house

0:34:200:34:22

and then I'll meet you out the front.

0:34:220:34:24

-OK, brilliant. Thank you.

-Thank you.

0:34:240:34:26

This beautiful Grade II listed mill house

0:34:270:34:30

is bang on Lisa and Jim's budget,

0:34:300:34:32

but even better, the owner

0:34:320:34:34

is willing to consider less.

0:34:340:34:36

It gives them more than they

0:34:360:34:37

could have wished for with

0:34:370:34:38

five bedrooms and a huge

0:34:380:34:39

drawing room perfect for

0:34:390:34:41

family get-togethers

0:34:410:34:42

and the kitchen-diner in somewhere

0:34:420:34:44

Lisa would be happy to spend time.

0:34:440:34:46

The enclosed garden is great

0:34:460:34:48

for their four-legged friend

0:34:480:34:49

and the views would provide Lisa

0:34:490:34:51

with the perfect artist's backdrop.

0:34:510:34:54

Plus, the commute to London

0:34:540:34:55

is just what Jim is looking for.

0:34:550:34:57

Did we ever think we'd have that much space?

0:34:570:34:59

I never thought there'd be that much space

0:34:590:35:01

in a house in our budget, I've got to say.

0:35:010:35:03

Not like this, anyway.

0:35:030:35:04

I think there's...

0:35:040:35:05

-There's just so much potential and possibility with this house.

-Yeah.

0:35:050:35:08

We've got a lot of scope.

0:35:080:35:10

This house made me so emotional because I just didn't

0:35:110:35:13

think in my wildest dreams that we'd ever be able to afford

0:35:130:35:16

such a beautiful, large property like this

0:35:160:35:18

with the stunning views that it's given to us.

0:35:180:35:21

It was just unbelievable.

0:35:210:35:24

The fact that this house could be a reality for us is just great.

0:35:240:35:28

I never would have thought that something like this

0:35:280:35:31

would be within our reach.

0:35:310:35:34

The area's beautiful, it just ticks all the boxes,

0:35:340:35:38

both emotionally and practically.

0:35:380:35:40

-You really do have stunning views here.

-Very much so.

0:35:450:35:49

-Right, that's all three houses done.

-Yep.

0:35:490:35:51

Let's go and find somewhere to sit and have a proper chat.

0:35:510:35:54

OK, brilliant.

0:35:540:35:55

The British countryside is the perfect setting for the sight

0:36:010:36:04

of horses galloping across the fields.

0:36:040:36:06

And Britons certainly are equine lovers,

0:36:060:36:08

with up to a million horses and ponies owned in the UK today.

0:36:080:36:12

On this 17-acre farm near Dorchester, Tony Munt keeps

0:36:120:36:16

five horses and a pony which he partners with carriages to

0:36:160:36:20

take part in combined driving,

0:36:200:36:22

the oldest equine sport in Europe.

0:36:220:36:25

It's similar to the equestrian sport of eventing.

0:36:250:36:28

One or more horses pulls a carriage guided by a coachman, or driver.

0:36:280:36:32

Hello, Hector, Achilles. Nice to meet you.

0:36:320:36:35

What kind of horses are they?

0:36:350:36:37

They are Dutch Warmblood.

0:36:370:36:38

They've got very strong legs and bone

0:36:380:36:41

and they're a very good driving and riding horse.

0:36:410:36:44

Tony has a collection of 30 carriages,

0:36:440:36:47

some worth as much as £35,000,

0:36:470:36:50

which he shows with his horses, competes with

0:36:500:36:53

and also hires out for events.

0:36:530:36:55

-You get on board and I'll give you a lesson.

-Great.

0:36:570:36:59

In the late 19th century, carriage driving was all the rage

0:36:590:37:02

with the rich and royalty. And nowadays,

0:37:020:37:05

with dozens of clubs all over the country,

0:37:050:37:07

anyone can learn to drive a carriage.

0:37:070:37:10

Tony himself has been involved in the sport for over 25 years,

0:37:100:37:14

so I know I'm in safe hands.

0:37:140:37:16

OK, so what is the first move, manoeuvre I need to know?

0:37:160:37:19

Just say, "Walk on."

0:37:190:37:21

OK. So I just tell them to walk on?

0:37:210:37:23

Just tell them to walk on.

0:37:230:37:25

-How loudly?

-Quite loud.

0:37:250:37:27

Walk on!

0:37:270:37:29

-Walk on!

-Very good.

0:37:290:37:31

Right, so you just want to pull them over that way.

0:37:310:37:34

-This is steering.

-That's it.

0:37:340:37:35

Behind us, grooms Geoff and Sue are on hand to assist.

0:37:360:37:40

You can actually feel the power, can't you?

0:37:400:37:42

Yeah, they are powerful beasts!

0:37:420:37:45

This is... The hardest thing to do is actually walking

0:37:450:37:47

because they're unbalanced.

0:37:470:37:49

When they're trotting, they're more balanced.

0:37:490:37:51

Voice commands along with the reins

0:37:510:37:53

are used to control these beautiful horses.

0:37:530:37:56

Just shorten up your reins a little bit.

0:37:560:37:58

When you say shorten up, so...

0:37:580:38:00

OK, pull everything right back.

0:38:000:38:02

-Right back, yeah.

-Is that to slow them down?

0:38:020:38:04

Yeah, that's just to slow them down, and just walk on.

0:38:040:38:06

Because I do feel they want to go faster than I'm allowing them to.

0:38:060:38:09

They'll give you 100%. They just want to, you know...

0:38:090:38:12

-Go full pelt!

-Yeah.

0:38:120:38:14

-But I have to be the boss.

-Yes, you've got to be the boss.

0:38:140:38:17

That's it, just come on the left-hand side. That's it. Well done.

0:38:170:38:22

That's it. Lovely. Good. Well done.

0:38:220:38:25

Super.

0:38:260:38:28

When you've got them nice and straight,

0:38:280:38:30

we could then have a little trot.

0:38:300:38:33

Just bring them over a tad. That's it.

0:38:330:38:35

Trot!

0:38:350:38:36

-Trot, boys.

-Trot, boys.

0:38:370:38:39

I need to imitate your voice.

0:38:410:38:42

-They listen to you better than they listen to me.

-They do, yes.

0:38:420:38:45

Combined driving actually heralds from centuries ago.

0:38:460:38:49

As far back as the Old Testament,

0:38:490:38:51

kings and their kingdoms were dependent

0:38:510:38:53

on skilled chariot drivers in war.

0:38:530:38:56

-Good boys, good boys.

-Trot, boys!

0:38:560:39:00

I can see the concentration on your face!

0:39:000:39:02

-Can you?

-Yes!

0:39:020:39:04

Now I've mastered walking and trotting,

0:39:070:39:09

Tony is stepping things up a notch by introducing water.

0:39:090:39:12

Whoa!

0:39:120:39:14

I can't say I'm not a little nervous!

0:39:140:39:16

OK.

0:39:160:39:17

They're going to favour going towards the bridge,

0:39:180:39:21

so just to keep them off the bridge.

0:39:210:39:22

Keep them away from the bridge. Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!

0:39:220:39:25

-Are they excited about going in?

-I think they are, yeah.

0:39:250:39:28

They're eager to go in, they've seen the water.

0:39:280:39:30

-They love going through the water.

-OK.

0:39:300:39:31

-Walk on?

-And then ask for them to trot, yeah.

-OK.

0:39:310:39:34

-Now trot.

-Trot!

-Trot!

0:39:340:39:37

-Trot, boys!

-Trot! Trot! Trot!

0:39:370:39:38

-Trot!

-Trot!

0:39:420:39:43

The river here is less than two feet deep.

0:39:430:39:46

It is a great discipline for the horses to teach them

0:39:460:39:48

to travel confidently through the water.

0:39:480:39:50

And it also helps keep their legs strong.

0:39:500:39:53

Trot, boys!

0:39:530:39:54

-Head over this way.

-Trot, boys!

0:39:540:39:56

-Walk, boys. Walk on.

-Walk on.

0:39:570:39:59

-Trot, boys!

-Good boys. Good boys.

0:39:590:40:03

-Walk on, walk on, walk on.

-Trot, boys!

0:40:030:40:05

Good boys.

0:40:070:40:09

Wow.

0:40:090:40:11

Oh, thank you so much, Tony. That was brilliant.

0:40:110:40:13

-Very well done.

-I can't believe I got to do that on day one.

0:40:130:40:16

That was lovely.

0:40:160:40:17

Well, there's no doubt our Mystery House

0:40:220:40:24

has won over both Lisa and Jim.

0:40:240:40:26

It is perfect for them.

0:40:260:40:28

I think the question now isn't so much

0:40:280:40:30

what is going to happen next but when.

0:40:300:40:33

I cannot wait to find out.

0:40:330:40:35

So... Huge smiles on both of your faces.

0:40:400:40:43

It's been an emotional couple of days for both of you.

0:40:430:40:46

We know you have fallen for the Mystery House big-time.

0:40:460:40:49

What happens now?

0:40:490:40:51

Well, we're going to get onto the agent today

0:40:510:40:53

and we're going to put in an offer.

0:40:530:40:55

-Today?

-Today.

-Brilliant news.

0:40:550:40:57

Because a house that has you both beaming so much,

0:40:570:41:01

you should not let that go.

0:41:010:41:03

-No, not at all.

-Why is it THE house?

0:41:030:41:06

It just gives us everything that we want.

0:41:060:41:09

It gives us the space, it gives the character, it gives us...

0:41:090:41:13

The views are just phenomenal from every aspect of the house.

0:41:130:41:18

It's just...oozes us.

0:41:180:41:21

I love the wheel.

0:41:210:41:23

The wheel is just fantastic,

0:41:230:41:25

the history of the place, and there's just

0:41:250:41:27

so much practical space just to entertain, have friends round.

0:41:270:41:32

There's just so much space for that.

0:41:320:41:34

You can really make it the heart of your family, that house.

0:41:340:41:37

Absolutely, and that's what I can see.

0:41:370:41:40

The coming together will be so much more fun, I think, in this house.

0:41:400:41:44

When we first arrived there,

0:41:440:41:45

I didn't even notice that it was attached.

0:41:450:41:47

And I think because of the thick walls

0:41:470:41:49

and the way that it's positioned,

0:41:490:41:52

it's not going to ever feel like it's attached either.

0:41:520:41:55

Yeah, for me, it doesn't feel like a compromise.

0:41:550:41:58

It just feels like a great house

0:41:580:41:59

and there's something compelling about it.

0:41:590:42:02

I'm so thrilled you found THE house.

0:42:020:42:05

I'm really happy that our search proved so fruitful.

0:42:050:42:08

So keep in touch and I cannot wait for that phone call to say that

0:42:080:42:11

"The Mystery House is our official new home."

0:42:110:42:14

Thank you very much.

0:42:140:42:15

Well, when Jim and Lisa said they'd put in an offer today,

0:42:180:42:21

they meant it because a little birdie has told me

0:42:210:42:23

that's exactly what they've just done.

0:42:230:42:26

And I'm delighted to say their offer has been accepted,

0:42:260:42:29

which is fantastic news because they both came here to Dorset

0:42:290:42:33

looking to start afresh in a new home,

0:42:330:42:35

and it looks like they'll be doing exactly that in our Mystery House.

0:42:350:42:40

We wish them well. See you next time.

0:42:400:42:42

Everything is going through with the purchase of the mill house,

0:42:430:42:46

and Lisa and Jim can't wait to move in.

0:42:460:42:49

If you'd like to escape to the country

0:42:490:42:51

in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales or England

0:42:510:42:54

and would like our help, you can apply online at...

0:42:540:42:57

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