A Valentines to remember.

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I’ve been longing to get the time to write this post.  You may remember that when I first started my blog I wrote a post entitled Cottage life.  Looking back at that post, I am in total disbelief about the changes that have happened in my life since that day, as sitting on my swing seat in my garden I tentatively stepped my toes into the blogging waters and put my heart into words.

On Valentine’s day, having spent a lot of time packing over the last few weeks and months, I woke early, excited and full of expectation for the day ahead.  Handing the removal men the key so they could lock the door for me on the past 12 years of my life, I stepped into ‘Daisy’, my blue VW Beetle which was bursting to the bumpers with more of my treasures, hidden from Mark (who seemed determined to skip as much as possible). Then with Jess in the front, and my two hens in a box on the back seat I started the engine and began to drive.

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I’m not a confident driver who can jump in and go anywhere, and over my years as a single mum my driving has suffered due to stress and anxiety, but I knew where I was going.  I had learned the route as we had spent time looking around the area, and knowing what lay beyond my fears was enough to send me happily on my way.

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Along with valentines day this year holding so much joy and expectation,  I also climbed a personal mountain as I made my way to our new home.

Talking of mountains I am now to my total amazement completely and utterly nestled in the Peak District of Derbyshire.  Or to put it another way, I feel like I just became a leading role in the film  ‘The Holiday’,  Kate Winslet you have been sidelined for sure! and as for Cameron Diaz well my little beetle ‘Daisy’ definitely beats the little mini she was navigating at high speed through those country roads.

As well as feeling that I am living ‘In a movie’ I also have the feeling that I have been painted straight onto an artists canvas.  As I’m writing this post I am surrounded by beauty wherever I look.  My ‘babbling brook’ fountain from my post Cottage life. has morphed into a real babbling brook just feet away from where I am sitting.  Pheasants have replaced the pigeons, and we are awoken in the morning by the sound of a woodpecker pecking away on the bird box with the intention I think of attracting another passing woodpecker as a possible mate.  Well, it has just been Valentine’s day after all.

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Our cottage was built in the 17th century and along with being used as a wheelwright’s, it was also for many years used as a hut where girl guides would meet and we have a stone above the back door to remind us of this.

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Thankfully the previous owner has lovingly modernized our new home, and the ladder that the girl guides used when they camped in the loft, over the barn which is now our lounge, has been replaced with a little staircase, making life a lot easier for us when we head for sleep.  I’m quite sure that there was a lot of girl guide laughter and merriment as they climbed that ladder to bed in years gone by.

Living in a home enshrouded in history is a first for me and makes it even more special.  The house is a wonderful mix of old and new, cottage and modern.  Which is ideal as I’m a cottage girl but Mark is a modern guy, so it blended perfectly.  I am also sneaking in all those items saved from near death, and gradually finding homes for them.  I’m hoping he won’t notice!

The Peak District National Park is an area of great diversity,  it is split between the dark peak where most of the moorland is found and the geology is gritstone, and the limestone area of the White Peak’.  Until recently I had really never spent much time here but all I can say is that I wish I had, as it is a place of amazing beauty, stunning breathtaking scenery, and the sights and sounds of the countryside are filling my heart and lungs with something new, something that I think I have needed for a long time.

Moving home is known to be stressful and it has certainly been teetering that way,  but as the mountain of boxes is reducing and the tension of the last few weeks is beginning to ease, those feelings I hope will be replaced with an appreciation of how very fortunate we are to find ourselves in such an amazing place.

I feel like I have a ‘world outside my window’  just waiting to be captured and I’m sure my blogs will take on a new lease of life over the coming weeks and months.

I am one lucky valentines girl for sure.

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Love Alison x

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Published by throughrosetintedglasses54

Writer, photographer, countryside lover. chicken keeper dog lover, dreamer.

29 thoughts on “A Valentines to remember.”

  4. Oh, Alison what a dream move, I think its stunning, I am the same, I love the history of a place with modern amenities. What a beautiful location, I am looking forward to seeing photos as you get out and start adventuring around the area. Congratulations, I can tell you are so very happy.

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  5. OMG you moved and I hadn’t realized!! What a wonderful cottage and area to move too. It’s one of my favorite places and I bang onto Tony about visiting. I have walked many routes in the area and the scenery is spectacular. Well now you must blog all about your adventures. Bet the chickens are happy…tonnes of fresh air and maybe more friends later? 😉 Very happy for you. Enjoy x

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    1. I thought you would like it. We don’t own any of the land so not sure we will be able to enlarge the flock, depends on whether the farmer would be willing to sell us a bit. We had planned on a large garden but they are few and far between up here and the location of the cottage was so idyllic that we had to have a trade-off. We do of course have the freedom to totally enjoy all the magnificent views around and they are on every side of the house.

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      1. Great decision. You have the National Park as your garden. But do ask farmer. We put in an offer and that’s how we got the barn behind ours and the land. Sometimes you need to be cheeky. It’s a favorite area of mine for walking. Stunning views.

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  6. It looks and sounds utterly beautiful. You are in an amazing part of the world and your cottage sounds so full of character!

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    1. Thanks, Ali, I’ll be glad to get back to reading blogs, I’ve missed out on a lot over the last few weeks. It really is a very special place with an amazing view out of every window of the house. I feel blessed for sure.

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  9. Your peak district looks like an English fairyland. Maybe it is! I’ve visited England half a dozen times (I live in New England) and walked the Lake District with great pleasure. Looks like on my next visit (whenever that may be) I should walk around the Peak District. It’s beautiful. I send you bouquets of good luck in your new home.

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  12. Pingback: And then there was one! – Through rose tinted glasses.

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