North Yorkshire Escape to the Country


North Yorkshire

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Of the thousands of villages across England and Wales, 53 of them,

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including the one I'm in today, are known as Thankful Villages.

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In a moment, I'll tell you why, and where I am.

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Today's search is about family ties

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as I'm with a lady returning to her roots to be nearer her parents.

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I'm feeling this is a good speechless.

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Yeah, it's giving me goose bumps. It's lovely.

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But it's not all smooth sailing with my straight-talking buyer.

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Deal-breaker.

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Today, I'm in North Yorkshire, in the Thankful Village of Scruton.

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It's a term which came about in the 1930s and describes a village

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such as this, as one that lost no men during the First World War,

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and all those who went off to serve king and country came home again.

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And it's a gorgeous county to come home to.

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North Yorkshire lies in the north of England and is the largest

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of the four counties that make up the historic region of Yorkshire.

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Dominated by its two beautiful and characterful national parks,

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the famous Yorkshire Dales boasts some of the finest limestone scenery

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in the UK.

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Its fields and pastures

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are crisscrossed by distinctive dry-stone walls

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that now look a natural part of the scenery.

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To the east, the landscape of the Moors

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is the wildest of the two parks,

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whose expanse of heather moorland provided the atmospheric backdrop

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for Wuthering Heights, Emily Bronte's only novel.

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Dotted throughout the county are market towns and villages,

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like historic Helmsley and Thornton-le-Dale,

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thought by many to be the prettiest in the national park.

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If it's photo opportunities you're after,

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the view from Sutton Bank was described by author James Herriot

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as the finest in England.

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In the mining village of Glaisdale, you'll find Beggar's Bridge,

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built in the 1619 by Thomas Ferries,

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after he and his sweetheart were stranded from one another

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when the waters became too treacherous to cross.

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So, be it bridges or even Bronte sisters,

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the fascinating Yorkshire landscape has inspired many romantic tales,

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both fact and fiction.

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If it's space you're after, then North Yorkshire could be for you.

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As well as being England's largest county,

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40% of it is made up by the two national parks.

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And as well as all this gorgeous scenery,

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the prices here for houses are pretty attractive, too.

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The average price for a detached property is around 281,000 -

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that's 18,000 lower than the national figure.

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Although, those prices do jump up if you're looking for a postcode

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within the national parks.

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So what about today's buyer?

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Well, she's not so much escaping to the country as returning to it,

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having been born and bred here.

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Retired sales manager Ann currently lives in the city of Cardiff.

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She met friend Shona when she moved to the Welsh capital for work

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35 years ago.

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My relationship with Shona

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is one of mutual likes of shopping

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and going to spas.

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We never argue. I can't remember ever arguing.

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Ann is great company.

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She's also a very typical Yorkshire person, I would say -

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very forthright in her opinions - which I like.

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Buying and selling houses regularly,

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Ann has worked her way up the property ladder over the years

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to achieve a home she's really proud of.

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My present house is a big four-bedroom detached.

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I've got a fantastic garden with all my friends who come to visit,

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as in my squirrels, and my hedgehog and all the birds that I feed.

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It's the perfect house for me at the moment.

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Ann is very stylish

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and very good interior designer, I would say.

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She's redesigned the interior of this house several times.

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And it always looks stunning, I think.

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Whilst she's enjoyed her years spent in Wales,

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Ann has recently felt a pull back to her Yorkshire roots.

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My parents are in their late 80s.

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My father, in particular, has had a few health issues.

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My plan is to actually just be there if they need me,

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if they need to do things,

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but also to take them for a run out and have them round for lunch

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and just do things.

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Just, you know, appreciate them while they're still around.

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Although the move is predominantly one of practicality,

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there are number of things Ann's missed about her home county.

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Yorkshire is just a fabulous county, full of beauty, full of history,

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and full of Yorkshire people,

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who are the friendliest people you can meet, I think.

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Her friends have promised to visit regularly and to make sure she

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picks the right property, with plenty of space for guests,

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Shona's coming along to support her on her search.

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I think Ann may have chosen me to help because I'm such

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a level-headed, sensible person

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and I will give her an honest opinion as well.

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I love that part of the world, so it won't be a hardship going to visit.

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We might overstay our welcome from time to time.

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No, it's fine, it's fine.

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Although Ann currently lives in a new-build home,

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for her next move, she'd like somewhere she can put own stamp on.

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The challenge will be to find somewhere she likes

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as much as her a current home in

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a location that works for Ann, her parents, and her visiting guests.

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There's a lot to consider,

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but with a clear goal in sight, Ann isn't fazed.

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I think waking up the first day in the new home is going to be

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a great feeling, cos it's going to be the start of a new era,

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it's going to be the start of my masterplan coming to fruition.

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Ann wants to be around 45 minutes

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from her parents in Middlesbrough,

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so we're concentrating our search

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in the centre of the county,

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where the villages and towns

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have good road access to the north.

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I've got the location down,

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now I just need to find out what Ann's looking for in a property.

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-Ann, Shona, good morning!

-Good morning.

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Welcome to North Yorkshire,

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-or should that be, welcome home to North Yorkshire?

-Yes, yes.

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-When did you leave?

-1978.

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Um, went to London, then obviously, on to Wales a few years later.

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So, key things about this property?

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Key things are, I'd ideally eventually want three bedrooms

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cos I'm prepared to do a renovation.

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I want a nice...one of these big kitchens,

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very similar to my one at home now,

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that's kind of like a living-kitchen and a nice garden I can potter

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and just do a bit of, you know, a bit of vegetables.

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And how important is community in this search?

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How rural can we take you?

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I would like to be within the edge of a village.

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I don't want neighbours on top of me type thing, and very close.

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But I don't want to be rural.

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And, Shona, Ann looks like a lady who really knows her mind.

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Will you know what she wants when you see it, too?

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I think I will know what she wants when she sees it.

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However, what she's looking for now is something quite different from

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anything she's ever lived in before.

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I'm used to living in very old properties, doing things with them

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and Ann has always lived in something very modern in the past,

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but she's looking forward to looking for something a bit more rural

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and a bit more...dilapidated.

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SHONA LAUGHS Something that needs...

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I shouldn't have said anything about that!

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-Something that needs bit of work.

-Yeah.

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-And what do you not want us to show you?

-Semidetached.

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OK!

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There's no arguing with that!

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Yeah, I definitely...

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It has to be detached.

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So, is Shona here actually to support me in this search?

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-I might need it!

-It's very likely!

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Just remind me what your budget is again?

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Well, my top budget, absolute top budget is 500,000.

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Well, the sun is shining for us. Shall we get this search under way?

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-I'd love to.

-Come on then, let's look.

-I'm looking forward to it.

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So, with a budget of £500,000,

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Ann's hoping to get a three-bedroom property,

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with a spacious kitchen and good-sized garden to grow some veg.

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She'd like a project,

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but any work would have to be factored into the budget.

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Last but by no means least, she's after a detached property,

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but she doesn't want to be too isolated

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so would like to be in or near a village.

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We've got three fantastic properties,

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all of which are great contenders to become Ann's new Yorkshire home.

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I'll be asking the ladies to guess the price of each before I reveal it

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and for our final offering, the Mystery House -

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we're throwing the wish list to one side and showing Ann a property

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she won't be expecting.

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Our first stop is the village of Alne.

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This peaceful, pretty village is home to a well-regarded pub

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and a church.

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There's an active community with a number of sporting clubs for locals

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and an unusual local shop in the form of a street cart.

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Locals leave their money in exchange for fresh local produce.

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Once a year in the summer

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the village also plays host to a popular street fair.

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It's close to the junction of the A19,

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which would offer Ann a direct route to her parents in Middlesbrough.

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The house we're seeing is on the edge of the village

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on an attractive, mature plot.

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So here we are, property one.

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I like the look of it. I like the look of it, yeah.

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-Shona?

-It's certainly got a feel of an older property.

-Yes. Yeah.

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My only observation now would be the houses.

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-The neighbours are quite close.

-Yeah, overlooking.

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But it's very impressive. It's very pretty.

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But the look of the house is great.

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I'm getting the sense you want to get in there, don't you?

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-You're like, "OK, let's just go in," yeah?

-Stop talking.

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Come on, come on, let's go and explore!

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This detached house was built in 1910 and it's been extended twice

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to create a fabulous five-bedroom home.

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OK, come on through, ladies, into the sitting room

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and if you come down to this end of the room,

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you can really get a sense of how big it is.

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What do you think?

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Yes, I like the size.

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Um, unusual with the L-shape.

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-Shona, what do you think?

-I think it's a lovely space.

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Really lovely living space and the sun floating in through the windows,

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-just super, isn't it?

-Mm.

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-Now, you mentioned the L-shape of this room.

-Mm.

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Well, downstairs you have a study that we passed on the way in...

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-Uh-huh.

-..and we also have a study behind you here.

-Oh, right.

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-But...

-I don't have to study twice, though, do I?

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THEY LAUGH

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They've had an architect in, the current owners,

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to look at this space.

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You could just knock that wall down...

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Knock it through, build back and make this bigger..

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..And then have a really gorgeous open living-entertaining space.

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Yes, yes. I need to see more.

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-Would you like to see more?

-Absolutely, let's go.

-OK.

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-Kitchen's just behind us. Come this way.

-OK, good.

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Ann certainly knows what she's looking for this search and so far,

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I'm loving her enthusiasm.

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Into your kitchen-breakfast space. What do you think?

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It's... I love it. Yeah, I mean, I love the colours,

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I like the sink.

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It's probably a little bit smaller than I was wanting,

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cos I was wanting it more of a kitchen-living,

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but as it is, it's a nice kitchen, yes.

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Shona, could you see Ann cooking here?

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I wouldn't see Ann cooking anywhere.

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-That wouldn't be my first thought.

-All the secrets!

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But it's a lovely compact kitchen.

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I mean, it would be nice for cooking if you did much.

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And you can eat in here as well...

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-It'll take a microwave!

-THEY LAUGH

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-There's lots of natural light, too.

-Yes.

-It's a super space, I think.

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-You mentioned bedrooms to me earlier - you wanted three.

-Yes.

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-This place has five. Shona, would you lead the way?

-I will.

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-All right. Yeah.

-Five.

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QUIETLY: So far, so good!

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The stairs are at the front of the property off the main entrance hall,

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where there's also a useful utility space, WC and a larder.

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Upstairs, there are five decent-sized double bedrooms,

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which share the use of a family bathroom.

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-So this room is currently being used as the master bedroom.

-Right.

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-What do you think?

-I think the size is fine, yes.

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I think there's obviously a sink over there,

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but I think as a master bedroom, it should have an en-suite.

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But, as you've said, there's five bedrooms

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and I only really want a good three,

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then there's two to play with, so it might be just a reconfiguration

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that needs doing.

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-I can feel the cogs working. You're trying to work out...

-Oh, yeah.

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My head is going, "Zzh-zzh," yeah.

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Well, it's time to pop outside to the garden and start thinking about

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-what this house would be on the market for.

-Right. OK.

-OK.

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'Although this house is ready to move into, there's certainly

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'enough of a project here for Ann to sink her teeth into.

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'Outside, there's a large'

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detached garage and a secluded patio just off the kitchen area.

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The main garden is to the front of the house,

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making the most of the southerly aspect.

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So, here we are, back in the garden.

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You've got established fruit trees, apple trees.

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Shona, do you think this would work for Ann?

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I do and there's plenty of room for the vegetables plot or more beds

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if she wanted, and she likes her birds.

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There's lots of wild birds in this garden, it's lovely.

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Ann, I am sensing, there's a little something that's holding you back

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-with this one.

-It is.

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It's the proximity of all the other properties.

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And particularly at the back, I would feel surrounded.

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Well, OK. Time to guess the price.

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What do you think this property is on the market for?

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I would say...420.

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OK.

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-Shona?

-Oh, I think it'd probably be more than that cos it's

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a super location and there's lots of potential in the house itself,

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so I'd say about 450.

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This property is on the market for 475.

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Oh.

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Yeah, I mean, I'm not surprised.

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Well, now you know the price, time to have another explore, I think.

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-OK.

-I'll catch up with you in a bit.

-OK, thanks.

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Coming in £25,000 under budget,

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this extended property has two more bedrooms than Ann asked for

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and downstairs it offers plenty of project potential

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to reconfigure the layout.

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There's a lovely large garden and it's in a great village location,

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just 45 minutes' drive to Ann's parents in Middlesbrough.

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Yes, I think, you see, what we could do with this,

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certainly it would take a double bed, wouldn't it?

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-I think it would.

-Yeah.

-It's as big as most doubles.

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Yeah, and people coming to stay don't need lots of wardrobe space.

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The good points about this house for Ann is that it's got lots

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of opportunities to turn it into the property that she's looking for,

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so she could reconfigure the downstairs if she wanted to,

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to make a larger lounge or relocate the kitchen

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if that was important to her.

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The house is great and got huge potential but I think

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the overlooking houses at the back,

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I think would just make it a no-no for me.

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Hello, ladies.

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-Hi.

-Have you seen enough?

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-Yes, thank you.

-Ready for the next property?

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-Absolutely.

-On we go.

-OK, good.

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On the southern border of the North York Moors

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like the ruins of a great medieval fort.

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The 900-year-old castle in Helmsley played host to a mighty siege during

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the Civil War and today acts as a reminder

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of Yorkshire's a rich history.

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Although the castle is now at peace,

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the market town of Helmsley still finds itself facing conflict today,

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albeit of a more peaceful nature.

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In 2015, the town fought off challenges from high streets

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across the UK to be awarded best market town high street in Britain.

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Ann and Shona are paying a visit to another award winner.

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Auntie Anne's Bakery stands on a site which has been serving baked

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delights to the people of Helmsley for over 70 years.

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-Hello.

-Hello, Ann.

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This looks like a really lovely traditional Yorkshire bakery.

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Yes, it's been here for as long as I can remember from being a child.

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-There's always been a bakery.

-And how long have you been here?

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About nine years ago, me and my daughter Susan took it over.

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Oh, so you've been a professional baker for many years, then?

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But when did you start baking?

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-As a child?

-I started baking as a child, helping my mum.

-Lovely.

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We're local farmers from just five miles away, so I've always, yeah,

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I've always done traditional baking.

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It's just something I've loved all my life.

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-Yeah, I love doing it.

-A natural.

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-Yeah.

-If I was going to take something home for my grandchildren,

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what would you recommend?

0:17:090:17:11

My grandchildren love, actually, the Yorkshire curd pies.

0:17:110:17:14

They come here and help bake it and if you'd like to come through,

0:17:140:17:17

I'll show you how we make it and you can fill a pie for yourselves,

0:17:170:17:20

-if you want.

-Ooh, that'd be fabulous.

-OK. Thank you.

-Thank you.

0:17:200:17:23

Ann prides herself on using traditional time-honoured baking

0:17:230:17:27

methods and locally-sourced ingredients.

0:17:270:17:29

Her famous Yorkshire curd pies have been named the best

0:17:290:17:33

in the North of England.

0:17:330:17:35

Traditionally, farmers wives' made Yorkshire curd tarts

0:17:350:17:39

using cow's milk containing colostrum, which when heated,

0:17:390:17:44

automatically turned into curds.

0:17:440:17:46

Nowadays, Ann heats her milk to boiling point before adding

0:17:460:17:51

Epsom salts to separate it.

0:17:510:17:53

Now, I just sprinkle on the top like that to start with and then,

0:17:530:17:57

just gently stir it in.

0:17:570:17:59

Oh, it is boiling away, isn't it? My goodness.

0:18:000:18:03

-If you look closely can you see...

-Ooh, lumps.

-..as it's curdling,

0:18:030:18:07

yeah, that's when it's starting to curdle.

0:18:070:18:11

So if we go through, then I'll show you what the next stage is.

0:18:110:18:14

OK, follow you.

0:18:140:18:16

The process takes half an hour.

0:18:160:18:18

The milk is then strained to separate the curds from the whey

0:18:180:18:21

and left to cool before mixing with eggs, cream, sugar, and nutmeg.

0:18:210:18:25

Ann also likes to add currants.

0:18:250:18:28

And this is the secret ingredient.

0:18:280:18:29

And then your finished product.

0:18:290:18:31

It's a different colour as well.

0:18:310:18:32

It's a different colour, because it has a lot of rich ingredients in

0:18:320:18:35

-there.

-Something extra.

-She's not going to tell you.

0:18:350:18:37

I'm not going to tell you.

0:18:370:18:38

Is it this that makes yours better than anybody else's?

0:18:380:18:40

It is this that makes it better than anybody else's.

0:18:400:18:43

It's a nice, moist...

0:18:430:18:44

A lot of people's curd are quite dry, whereas this curd tart,

0:18:440:18:47

when it gets baked, it's still quite moist and soft texture.

0:18:470:18:51

After filling the pastry shells,

0:18:510:18:53

the tarts are cooked for 20 minutes then best served cool

0:18:530:18:57

with a nice cup of Yorkshire tea.

0:18:570:18:59

-Mmm, that's lovely.

-Is that OK?

0:19:050:19:07

The pastry is so crisp. I can't get over it.

0:19:070:19:10

-I can understand why you won an award for this.

-Yeah, me too.

0:19:100:19:13

-It's delicious.

-Mmm.

-I've not tasted anything like this before.

0:19:130:19:18

In the height of summer,

0:19:180:19:20

Ann and her team make in excess of 300 tarts a week.

0:19:200:19:24

I know how much these ladies love a cup of tea and a chat

0:19:240:19:27

but there's no time to soak up the sun.

0:19:270:19:30

We've got a house to find.

0:19:300:19:31

Next, we're travelling further north to Scruton.

0:19:360:19:40

A small rural village,

0:19:400:19:42

Scruton has a mix of agricultural buildings and farms,

0:19:420:19:46

period cottages and newer developments.

0:19:460:19:49

At the heart of the village lies the 18th-century church and local pub.

0:19:490:19:53

Despite the peaceful position,

0:19:530:19:55

it's got good access to major roads and is just a 15-minute drive

0:19:550:19:59

to the town of Northallerton should Ann need to satisfy

0:19:590:20:03

her shopping habits.

0:20:030:20:04

Our next property is situated just outside the village centre

0:20:040:20:08

in a semirural setting.

0:20:080:20:09

So here we are. Property number two.

0:20:110:20:15

-Barn conversion.

-Yeah, like it.

0:20:150:20:18

My only aversion to them is often that they're either very,

0:20:180:20:21

very isolated, which I didn't want,

0:20:210:20:24

or they are in a courtyard and you know, it's got that neighbour thing

0:20:240:20:28

that I didn't really want, but, no, I like the look of it.

0:20:280:20:31

The barn conversion could also come with your lovely little paddock

0:20:310:20:34

-behind you there.

-Uh-huh.

-A vegetable plot over there, maybe?

0:20:340:20:38

That crossed my mind then, yes.

0:20:380:20:39

I was just thinking that, the vegetable plot.

0:20:390:20:41

Quite a few cabbages in there, Ann.

0:20:410:20:43

And then you have so much space out here.

0:20:440:20:46

It comes with an integrated garage but that could also be part

0:20:460:20:50

-of the living space inside.

-Uh-huh.

0:20:500:20:52

-Let's go.

-OK, let's waste no time!

0:20:520:20:55

Converted in 2003, this property was originally a cattle barn

0:20:560:21:00

in the 1800s and has some lovely original features remaining

0:21:000:21:04

which I hope Ann will appreciate.

0:21:040:21:06

She did say she was looking for something a bit different

0:21:060:21:09

to what she's used to and this is certainly that.

0:21:090:21:13

-We're heading into your kitchen space first.

-Right.

0:21:130:21:16

So you have a lovely range in this kitchen,

0:21:160:21:19

although, according to Shona,

0:21:190:21:20

you might not be using that too much with your cooking.

0:21:200:21:22

For my extensive cooking, yes.

0:21:220:21:23

She can lean on that on a cold winter's day, though.

0:21:230:21:25

-That'd be good.

-Have you cooked on a range before?

0:21:250:21:28

Yes, yes. Definitely.

0:21:280:21:30

-You'll give me some lessons.

-Yes.

0:21:300:21:32

-Lots of reasons to come and stay.

-Mm.

0:21:320:21:34

She can come and do the cooking!

0:21:340:21:36

And you've got enough space to get that sort of breakfast-dining

0:21:370:21:40

-experience.

-Yeah.

0:21:400:21:42

-This is meeting with your approval.

-Yeah. Definitely. Keep going.

0:21:420:21:45

Keep going, all right. OK. Let's waste no time!

0:21:450:21:48

Although unfurnished, they seem to like the character of this place

0:21:480:21:52

which is good, because there's more to come.

0:21:520:21:55

As we move into the rear wing,

0:21:550:21:56

we find a bedroom,

0:21:560:21:57

bathroom and sitting room.

0:21:570:21:59

Into your living space.

0:22:010:22:03

You've got a fireplace there. How does this feel to you?

0:22:030:22:06

I think I need to put it all into kind of where everything

0:22:060:22:09

is planned out, but, yeah, it looks good. I mean, what's there?

0:22:090:22:13

Well, this is your guest wing.

0:22:130:22:16

-So you've got a lovely wing.

-A wing? I like a wing.

0:22:160:22:21

You've got a beautiful, big double bedroom and then a gorgeous,

0:22:210:22:24

-big bathroom at the end.

-So how many bedrooms in this one?

0:22:240:22:27

-You've got three bedrooms, three bathrooms.

-Oh, right.

0:22:270:22:29

Shall we check the rest of the bedrooms?

0:22:290:22:31

-I think we need to.

-All right, come on.

0:22:310:22:33

I think this property could really work for Ann.

0:22:340:22:37

As well as the separate guest wing,

0:22:370:22:39

upstairs, there are two further generous-sized bedrooms,

0:22:390:22:43

both with their own bathroom -

0:22:430:22:45

an ideal set-up for visitors from Wales

0:22:450:22:47

or if her parents decide to stay.

0:22:470:22:49

-And then through into what could be a new master bedroom.

-Right.

0:22:510:22:54

Are you loving those features of the old barn?

0:22:540:22:57

Yeah, because it's obviously so plain in the way they've

0:22:570:23:00

obviously done it but then keeping those and obviously not

0:23:000:23:03

boarding them in or anything like that. It's just, yeah.

0:23:030:23:06

Structurally, it's clearly very sound so it's more doing

0:23:060:23:09

the personalising it to your taste, isn't it?

0:23:090:23:12

-Yeah, yeah.

-Some structural things.

-And I could do it while live here,

0:23:120:23:15

because one of my feelings was, with something I had to convert,

0:23:150:23:19

I would have to go into rental for a while and, you know, the stress of

0:23:190:23:22

doing that, you know, I keep saying I want to do that but, you know,

0:23:220:23:25

can I handle the stress?

0:23:250:23:27

-Can the builder handle me having the stress?

-Being so stressed!

0:23:270:23:31

-Well, I'm glad you're liking everything you see so far.

-Uh-huh.

0:23:310:23:34

-There's still outside space to show you.

-Uh-huh.

0:23:340:23:36

There is one little fly in the ointment,

0:23:360:23:38

which we're going to tackle head-on.

0:23:380:23:40

Let's have a look.

0:23:400:23:41

At the back of the property is a lawned, low-maintenance

0:23:440:23:48

walled garden which can be accessed

0:23:480:23:50

from main living areas of the property.

0:23:500:23:52

OK, Ann, Shona, here's our little, little fly in the ointment,

0:23:550:23:59

your guest wing is attached at the very end.

0:23:590:24:03

Right.

0:24:070:24:08

Deal-breaker.

0:24:100:24:12

It's such a pity. Such a pity.

0:24:130:24:16

Yeah, I absolutely didn't want any neighbours, and certainly, you know,

0:24:160:24:21

somebody I can look into their garden and it's such a shame.

0:24:210:24:25

-Even with another foot.

-No, no. No.

-And then a nice secluded garden?

0:24:250:24:29

No. No, because noise would come over and I mean, all I need is,

0:24:290:24:34

you know, whole group of children out and having fun.

0:24:340:24:37

-Enjoying themselves.

-Yes.

-Don't like that.

0:24:370:24:42

So it's detached, detached with distance...

0:24:420:24:46

You know, even a little bit of remoteness, that was kind of,

0:24:460:24:50

you know, I was adapting to that.

0:24:500:24:52

-That is not my compromise.

-OK.

0:24:520:24:55

What's this on the market for?

0:24:550:24:57

I'm going to guess 450.

0:24:580:25:01

I would say 475.

0:25:010:25:03

Shona's on the money on this one. 475.

0:25:040:25:06

-Worth considering at that price?

-No. No.

0:25:060:25:09

Why don't you take in some more of the property while you're here?

0:25:090:25:12

-OK. Thanks.

-Thank you.

0:25:120:25:14

This great three-bedroom, three-bathroom barn conversion

0:25:160:25:20

offers Ann flexible living space and somewhere she can tailor

0:25:200:25:24

to her own taste without the need for doing too much work.

0:25:240:25:27

It has a private garden, an option to purchase an additional paddock,

0:25:270:25:31

lies close to the village and is 40 minutes from Ann's parents,

0:25:310:25:35

but the fact that the bathroom wall in the guest wing is adjoined

0:25:350:25:38

to another property seems to make it a no-go, which is a real shame.

0:25:380:25:43

I was starting to fall in love with this place, and you know,

0:25:430:25:48

even some of the compromises, I was prepared to make them,

0:25:480:25:52

and then unfortunately, I discovered I had a neighbour.

0:25:520:25:55

I think Ann has learnt a lot from her experience today.

0:25:550:25:58

It might not have all quite sunk in yet, what she's learnt,

0:25:580:26:01

but I think when she reflects,

0:26:010:26:02

she will realise that perhaps her ideal property

0:26:020:26:05

doesn't actually exist and she might have to make more compromises

0:26:050:26:10

than she'd originally thought.

0:26:100:26:12

But I don't want to be the one to tell her!

0:26:120:26:14

Ann, Shona, day one is wrapped up.

0:26:170:26:21

-Time for a cup of tea.

-Definitely!

0:26:210:26:23

-At least!

-Or maybe the bar.

0:26:230:26:25

We're in Yorkshire with Ann and her friend Shona.

0:26:350:26:38

After 35 years in Cardiff,

0:26:380:26:39

Ann's heading back to her home county to be close to her parents.

0:26:390:26:43

With a budget of £500,000,

0:26:430:26:46

she's looking for a property that she can put her mark on.

0:26:460:26:49

Coming up, Ann makes a connection in our Mystery House.

0:26:490:26:54

I feel I'm related the owner.

0:26:540:26:56

I would do everything the same.

0:26:580:27:01

And I visit a local farm to find out the benefits of eating organic.

0:27:010:27:05

-Line moves fast, doesn't it?

-It does, it does.

0:27:050:27:07

Uh, I really felt for Ann yesterday.

0:27:110:27:14

The look on her face when she realised that

0:27:140:27:16

that lovely barn conversion was ever so slightly attached,

0:27:160:27:20

really said it all, which means,

0:27:200:27:22

today's Mystery House has to deliver the goods.

0:27:220:27:25

To stand a fighting chance, it needs to give Ann everything

0:27:250:27:29

she wants and also push her out of her comfort zone.

0:27:290:27:33

After all, it's not called the Mystery House for nothing.

0:27:330:27:36

So today, we're going to take her and Shona to a property

0:27:360:27:40

with a project, but there's a twist.

0:27:400:27:43

It's not Ann's project. She'll find out why very soon.

0:27:430:27:46

Ann, what do you think the Mystery House might be today?

0:27:510:27:54

After yesterday, I'm probably expecting you're going to have to go

0:27:550:27:59

for more of the renovation side of things, and give me a nice project.

0:27:590:28:05

-And would that be good news?

-Yes.

0:28:050:28:07

Yeah, I'm quite prepared for a lot of things, but you know,

0:28:070:28:10

I'll remember these words later on today!

0:28:100:28:13

THEY LAUGH

0:28:130:28:15

Our mystery offering is in the village of Thornton-le-Clay,

0:28:180:28:21

near the county border and the city of York.

0:28:210:28:25

Thornton-le-Clay is a quiet village with a population of around 200,

0:28:250:28:29

and it's perfectly positioned amongst gentle hills,

0:28:290:28:32

just south of the North York Moors,

0:28:320:28:34

making it a popular spot with visiting walkers and cyclists.

0:28:340:28:38

Strolling past the characterful stone cottages,

0:28:380:28:41

passers-by can purchase home-grown produce left for sale by locals.

0:28:410:28:46

There's a family-run pub, hosting regular events and live music,

0:28:460:28:49

a few doors down from which is our final property.

0:28:490:28:55

And here is your Mystery House. What do you think?

0:28:550:28:59

It's not as big a mystery as I thought it was going to be.

0:28:590:29:02

SHE CHUCKLES

0:29:020:29:04

It looks lovely. It's very nice, clean-looking, lovely garden.

0:29:040:29:09

So, yeah, looks good.

0:29:090:29:11

-Now, this, Ann, is a turnkey house.

-Uh-huh.

0:29:110:29:14

Turn up, drop your bags, it's all done.

0:29:140:29:17

There is one extra mystery about this property.

0:29:170:29:20

There is within the plot another house that has permission

0:29:200:29:24

to be built. But I'm going to talk to you a bit more about that...

0:29:240:29:27

-That's a project?

-..when we head inside.

0:29:270:29:30

-Right.

-Come this way.

-OK.

0:29:310:29:33

Built in the 1960s, the current owners have spent in the region

0:29:340:29:39

of £120,000 extending and refurbishing this house

0:29:390:29:42

to an extremely high standard.

0:29:420:29:45

I know Ann wasn't planning on buying a newly modernised property

0:29:450:29:48

as she wanted to do the work herself,

0:29:480:29:50

but this one is so beautifully presented,

0:29:500:29:53

I think it's worth throwing into the mix.

0:29:530:29:55

And we come through into your kitchen-diner.

0:29:580:30:02

-Oh, fabulous.

-It's amazing.

-Yeah.

0:30:020:30:06

-I'm feeling this is a good speechless.

-Yeah.

0:30:060:30:09

It's giving me goose bumps. It's lovely. Yeah, this is nice.

0:30:090:30:14

-Well, don't cry yet!

-Are you...?

0:30:140:30:15

Yeah, well, it was such a bad day yesterday. I just...

0:30:150:30:19

Yeah. No, it's lovely. I mean, it's...

0:30:190:30:22

It's so like my one at home, you know, in many respects,

0:30:220:30:25

-you know, because of the style, but better.

-Even bigger and better.

0:30:250:30:28

-Even bigger and better. Yeah.

-Stunning.

0:30:280:30:31

-Let's explore your Mystery House.

-OK.

-Let's keep this tour going.

-OK.

0:30:310:30:35

Come on, ladies. Into your living space.

0:30:350:30:38

Which connects from the kitchen through into your sunroom,

0:30:400:30:43

-so very open, fluid living.

-Uh-huh.

0:30:430:30:46

Would that work for you?

0:30:460:30:47

Yeah, and certainly this furniture is a similar size to mine, so...

0:30:470:30:52

-Yeah, it would fit.

-Yeah. But a nice corner unit would actually work,

0:30:520:30:56

-wouldn't it?

-OK. OK.

-Yeah.

-Shall we see more?

0:30:560:30:58

-Oh, yes. Carry on.

-Come this way.

0:30:580:31:00

As we move into the newer part of the house,

0:31:020:31:04

the ground floor benefits from the addition of a utility space,

0:31:040:31:08

a small double bedroom and what is now the largest of the bedrooms.

0:31:080:31:12

And into the main master bedroom.

0:31:140:31:17

It's lovely. Lovely colour.

0:31:170:31:19

You've got a lovely open space here.

0:31:190:31:21

You've got en suite bathroom, you've got a little study area there,

0:31:210:31:25

which you could turn into a nice dressing room area for yourself.

0:31:250:31:28

Goodness me. It's like a TARDIS.

0:31:280:31:30

And there's all those wardrobes.

0:31:300:31:32

Built-in wardrobes.

0:31:320:31:33

I feel I'm related to the owner!

0:31:330:31:35

We seem to have, you know, the same taste.

0:31:370:31:39

I would do everything the same.

0:31:390:31:41

Originally, you were asking for a property with older character.

0:31:410:31:44

Do you think more of a new build is really what is appealing

0:31:440:31:48

-to your heart?

-I think probably, yes.

0:31:480:31:52

I've had so many new houses and you know,

0:31:520:31:55

not had to do a lot to them.

0:31:550:31:56

So there was that worry that if I buy an older one,

0:31:560:32:00

will it need keep doing and, you know,

0:32:000:32:02

will I adapt to it as much as I would to something like this

0:32:020:32:05

with the clean living?

0:32:050:32:07

And Shona, is this more of what Ann has traditionally lived in,

0:32:070:32:10

the houses she's brought before?

0:32:100:32:12

This is very much more in the style of Ann's homes that she's had before

0:32:120:32:17

and in fact, this is very,

0:32:170:32:19

feels to me just like she could just move straight in.

0:32:190:32:21

So it's time to head outside, look at the garden,

0:32:210:32:24

talk about price and a little more about what makes this

0:32:240:32:27

-the Mystery House.

-Right. OK.

-Come this way.

0:32:270:32:31

On the first floor, there are two more good-sized double bedrooms,

0:32:330:32:37

sharing a smart modern bathroom.

0:32:370:32:39

Now, it's time for me to take a deep breath before tackling an issue

0:32:390:32:43

that awaits us outside.

0:32:430:32:45

Ann, now, you can really take in the house.

0:32:450:32:48

The current property comes with this garden up to the fence,

0:32:480:32:52

and the original property came with the extra space there,

0:32:520:32:56

but the current owners have permission, planning permission,

0:32:560:32:59

to build a new property in that corner of the garden.

0:32:590:33:02

But for this point,

0:33:020:33:04

I just want you to think about the price for this bit of garden

0:33:040:33:08

-and the house.

-You can go first today.

0:33:080:33:12

I think that it's probably on for 495.

0:33:120:33:14

I'm going to say an optimistic 475.

0:33:140:33:18

This property is currently on the market for £495,000.

0:33:180:33:24

Shona, you are bang on the money.

0:33:260:33:28

But I've had a chat with the owners and they would be willing,

0:33:300:33:34

further to a little extra negotiation to walk away

0:33:340:33:38

from the entire plot.

0:33:380:33:40

But that's a conversation you would have to have with them.

0:33:400:33:42

Yes, I understand.

0:33:420:33:44

Well, now you know the price,

0:33:440:33:46

why don't I let you explore the upstairs bedrooms

0:33:460:33:48

and I'll catch up with you a bit later. Lots to talk about.

0:33:480:33:50

-Lovely.

-Thanks. OK.

-Thank you.

0:33:500:33:52

It looks as though this converted dormer bungalow might just

0:33:540:33:57

have won Ann over.

0:33:570:33:59

It has four bedrooms and a modern open-plan kitchen-diner

0:33:590:34:01

she was after.

0:34:010:34:03

Its high standard of finish means there's no work needed

0:34:030:34:06

but with a neutral decor,

0:34:060:34:08

it still gives Ann the chance to make it her own.

0:34:080:34:10

There's a lovely lawned garden and the journey to Ann's parents

0:34:100:34:14

would take around an hour.

0:34:140:34:16

-Oh, this is lovely.

-Mm.

0:34:160:34:19

I think what I would do would be to make the whole of this one level

0:34:190:34:25

as the master suite.

0:34:250:34:26

As soon as I walked through the front door,

0:34:260:34:29

I had a feeling that this could really be a house that Ann would

0:34:290:34:32

love and that's been reinforced all the way round, actually.

0:34:320:34:35

-It's got my name on it.

-It has, yes.

0:34:350:34:37

I think the last couple of days have certainly been a bit of

0:34:370:34:39

a roller-coaster emotionally.

0:34:390:34:42

You know, I was caught between,

0:34:420:34:44

"Do I want an old house? Do I want a new house?"

0:34:440:34:47

I knew what I didn't want.

0:34:470:34:49

And I knew what I did want.

0:34:510:34:54

At least, I've found that now.

0:34:540:34:57

What do you think of the garden?

0:34:570:34:58

I think it's fabulous.

0:34:580:35:00

I love the established bushes over there and the fact

0:35:000:35:02

-that you've got...

-Hello.

0:35:020:35:03

Ann, it sounds like you're moving in already!

0:35:030:35:06

-Possibly, yes.

-Lots to talk about.

0:35:060:35:08

-Let's go find somewhere to chat.

-OK.

0:35:080:35:10

With spring most definitely in the air,

0:35:160:35:18

farmers across the country are busy planting crops

0:35:180:35:21

for the growing season ahead.

0:35:210:35:23

I've come to Home Farm,

0:35:230:35:25

to meet third-generation farmer Peter Richardson,

0:35:250:35:28

to talk about the wide variety of crops he's currently planting

0:35:280:35:32

and to find out what he's going to do with them once

0:35:320:35:35

they've been harvested.

0:35:350:35:36

Hi, Peter. Good to see you.

0:35:360:35:38

What are we planting today?

0:35:380:35:39

Just a bit of broccoli today. These are the first of the season.

0:35:390:35:42

So we're putting in about 10,000 plants to the acre.

0:35:420:35:45

This crop will be ready mid-July.

0:35:450:35:47

How many different crops do you grow here?

0:35:470:35:49

Oh, somewhere in the region of about 19 to 20.

0:35:490:35:52

So it's fairly full-on.

0:35:520:35:54

And why do you plant so many different crops,

0:35:540:35:56

because that's a little bit unusual?

0:35:560:35:58

Well, just basically, we're involved with this Riverford, and basically,

0:35:580:36:01

we've got this box scheme.

0:36:010:36:02

Most growers will just tend to grow one crop for a big supermarket and

0:36:020:36:06

then it will be packed centrally.

0:36:060:36:07

The model we use is totally different.

0:36:070:36:09

It seems to work. Customers like it.

0:36:090:36:11

The 500-acre farm grows in the region of 70 to 80 acres

0:36:110:36:16

of veg most years.

0:36:160:36:17

In 1996, Peter decided to convert the farm to organic before joining

0:36:170:36:22

forces with the Devon-based Riverford team who were looking

0:36:220:36:26

to set up a box scheme in Yorkshire.

0:36:260:36:28

When you decide as a farmer to go organic,

0:36:280:36:31

what does that mean for you?

0:36:310:36:33

You've got to think differently.

0:36:330:36:35

You've got to work with nature.

0:36:350:36:37

You can't fight it.

0:36:370:36:39

Your crop rotation is very, very critical.

0:36:390:36:42

For instance, if we grew broccoli on the same land year in, year out,

0:36:420:36:45

we'd get pest problems and disease problems.

0:36:450:36:47

But it's what the market wants

0:36:470:36:50

and it's a nice way to do it, to be fair.

0:36:500:36:53

Despite using modern machinery,

0:36:530:36:55

being organic means that Peter uses traditional farming methods

0:36:550:36:59

like crop rotation, which makes for harder work but promotes healthy,

0:36:590:37:02

nutrient-rich soil.

0:37:020:37:04

They also make their own organic fertiliser

0:37:040:37:07

with an anaerobic digester.

0:37:070:37:09

So, Peter, what does this do?

0:37:090:37:11

Well, basically, it's a process where we make methane,

0:37:110:37:13

which creates electric and we also have a by-product of fertiliser

0:37:130:37:17

-which we use on the farm.

-And how does that actually happen?

0:37:170:37:20

Basically, the big, blue thing over there, that's the feed hopper.

0:37:200:37:23

We feed that up with about 18 tonnes of food a day,

0:37:230:37:26

and every half hour, it automatically feeds itself,

0:37:260:37:28

basically pushes the food into the tank,

0:37:280:37:31

whereas the temperature in the tank is about 40-odd degrees.

0:37:310:37:33

-A bit cosy!

-Yeah.

0:37:330:37:35

And all the bacteria gets to work and it creates the methane which

0:37:350:37:39

goes off to the CHB engine and we probably use about 20%

0:37:390:37:43

of the electric it produces for the fridges and the rest of it

0:37:430:37:46

is exported to the grid.

0:37:460:37:48

And when you say food, what are you feeding it with?

0:37:480:37:51

Basically, cattle manure, any out-grade veg, and grass silage,

0:37:510:37:55

which is basically grass.

0:37:550:37:57

-All the leftovers, almost.

-Basically, yes.

0:37:570:37:59

As well as producing electricity to power the farm,

0:37:590:38:03

the remaining vegetable matter is used as compost and the liquid mass

0:38:030:38:07

pumped back out and used as an organic fertiliser,

0:38:070:38:10

meaning nothing of the farm goes to waste.

0:38:100:38:13

So it sounds like what you're producing here

0:38:130:38:15

is the most natural, sustainable way

0:38:150:38:17

-to create great fertiliser for the earth.

-Without a doubt, yeah.

0:38:170:38:21

Can't beat it, in my opinion.

0:38:210:38:22

-And how do these veggies look that you're growing?

-They look fantastic.

0:38:220:38:25

-Yeah?

-We're actually just packing a few at the moment.

0:38:250:38:27

-Can I give you a hand?

-Of course you can. Please come this way.

0:38:270:38:30

In the packing shed, every veg box is packed by hand with a range

0:38:300:38:34

of seasonal produce.

0:38:340:38:36

Manager Greg Penn is on-site to show me how it works.

0:38:360:38:39

Greg, good to see you.

0:38:410:38:42

Hi, how are you, Margherita?

0:38:420:38:44

I'm good. How can I help today?

0:38:440:38:45

Well, we'd like you to pack some broccoli, it that's all right.

0:38:450:38:48

-OK.

-I need two heads of broccoli per box.

-Great, OK.

0:38:480:38:51

And what can we expect from each box?

0:38:510:38:53

What will the customer get?

0:38:530:38:54

It's really a range of organic, seasonal produce.

0:38:540:38:57

It's all grown for flavour and taste and depending on how,

0:38:570:39:00

the sort of time of year,

0:39:000:39:02

it depends a little bit on what we're actually growing

0:39:020:39:04

and putting on in the boxes.

0:39:040:39:05

The line moves fast, doesn't it?

0:39:050:39:06

-It does, it does.

-SHE CHUCKLES

0:39:060:39:09

The boxes come in a variety of sizes, as does the veg.

0:39:090:39:12

Some of it might not look as beautiful as it does

0:39:120:39:14

on the supermarket shelves, but the taste certainly isn't compromised.

0:39:140:39:19

So, Greg, do you think organic farming is actually changing

0:39:190:39:22

the way we're eating as a nation?

0:39:220:39:25

Absolutely, because ours is a seasonal box of vegetables,

0:39:250:39:28

our customers really have to cook with what we provide them, really.

0:39:280:39:32

A lot of families get our veg boxes and they cook with the kids

0:39:320:39:36

and they explore our recipes and they have to do a little bit

0:39:360:39:39

of research, as to what they might want for tea that night,

0:39:390:39:41

depending on what's gone in the veg box that week.

0:39:410:39:44

And people get really excited about that, certainly.

0:39:440:39:46

Passionate about food again.

0:39:460:39:47

Really passionate about food, really passionate about vegetables.

0:39:470:39:50

We are real veg nerds and we really want people to embrace that,

0:39:500:39:54

you know, really fantastic-quality veg and we believe we do that

0:39:540:39:57

in the best way.

0:39:570:39:59

Well, I'm going to get going now, but thank you so much for having me

0:39:590:40:01

and showing me the ropes.

0:40:010:40:02

It's been really lovely to have you and I think it's only fair

0:40:020:40:05

-that you grab yourself a veg box on your way out.

-Oh, lovely! OK.

0:40:050:40:08

The company has three farms in the UK, between them

0:40:090:40:13

delivering to a staggering 47,000 households a week,

0:40:130:40:16

which goes to show

0:40:160:40:18

there's certainly demand out there for organic produce.

0:40:180:40:21

I for one am definitely converted.

0:40:210:40:23

Taking Ann to the Mystery House really was a bit of a gamble

0:40:270:40:31

but I think it's paid off.

0:40:310:40:32

There's only one way to find out.

0:40:320:40:34

Ann, Shona. It's been an adventure.

0:40:400:40:43

-It has.

-We've had a few ups and downs.

0:40:430:40:45

-I hope you'll agree we ended on an up today.

-We did, we did.

0:40:450:40:48

Now, usually with a Mystery House,

0:40:480:40:50

it's the property that takes people right outside their comfort zone.

0:40:500:40:53

-We brought you right back into yours.

-Yes.

0:40:530:40:56

And that concerns me a little bit,

0:40:560:41:00

that I kind of haven't gone for that adventure

0:41:000:41:02

of finding something different.

0:41:020:41:04

And probably most people who know me will not be surprised

0:41:040:41:08

that I've ended up where, you know,

0:41:080:41:11

thinking that the Mystery House is the one, really.

0:41:110:41:14

So what happens next?

0:41:140:41:16

What are you going to do about the Mystery House?

0:41:160:41:19

I like it. I like it a lot.

0:41:190:41:21

I think what I would have to do is work out the distance

0:41:210:41:26

from my parents.

0:41:260:41:27

And Shona, do think the Mystery House is a home

0:41:270:41:30

that Ann could be happy in?

0:41:300:41:31

I'm sure it's a home she could be happy in.

0:41:310:41:34

Just her instantaneous reaction when she walked through the door,

0:41:340:41:38

it just told me that she felt she was at home there.

0:41:380:41:40

She could move straight in.

0:41:400:41:42

Ann, if you find out that commute could be workable

0:41:420:41:44

from the Mystery House to your parents,

0:41:440:41:47

would you go back and have a chat with the vendor?

0:41:470:41:49

I think a bit of negotiating needs to be done, yes.

0:41:490:41:52

OK, that is wonderful news.

0:41:520:41:54

I'm over the moon to hear that and just thank you so much.

0:41:540:41:57

It's been a joy to share your home county of North Yorkshire

0:41:570:42:00

with you and show you around a little bit more,

0:42:000:42:02

-welcome you back home.

-Thank you very much.

0:42:020:42:05

It's been a pleasure meeting you and I've got to also thank Shona

0:42:050:42:08

-for helping me out.

-And being my moral support as well.

0:42:080:42:11

It's been my pleasure. It really has.

0:42:110:42:14

In the Mystery House, Ann described the last couple of days as being

0:42:190:42:22

a real roller-coaster of a journey and I know how she feels.

0:42:220:42:26

I've been right there with her.

0:42:260:42:28

I'm hoping that after a little more investigation into that journey time

0:42:280:42:32

between the Mystery House and her mum and dad's and whether

0:42:320:42:35

that commute could work for her, we'll be getting a call from Ann

0:42:350:42:39

to say that she is now calling North Yorkshire home once again.

0:42:390:42:43

We wish her all the best and I will see you next time

0:42:430:42:45

on Escape To The Country.

0:42:450:42:48

After further research,

0:42:480:42:50

Ann decided the Mystery House was a stretch too far from her parents

0:42:500:42:53

in Middlesbrough.

0:42:530:42:54

She's continuing her search but has altered her criteria.

0:42:540:42:58

She's now definitely looking for a modern property.

0:42:580:43:01

If you would like to escape to the country in Wales, Scotland,

0:43:010:43:05

Northern Ireland, or England, and need our help,

0:43:050:43:08

you can apply online at:

0:43:080:43:09

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