After all of shenanigans of a week trying to escape to the Wiltshire countryside (Escape to the Country), it has been fascinating how it has stimulated so many conversations about what the future holds.
Gazumping and Gazundering
If we could pick the absolutely worst time in the last five or six years to dip our toe into the property market it would be now. The beat the stamp duty rush, the get to the country dash and an over 10% hike in prices make it not the ideal time but life isn’t like that. For us if the time feels right, and it is beginning to, we adopt our usual blind optimism that it will all come good.
Small Steps
For both practical and sanity reasons, this massive change to our lifestyle needs to be done in a measured way. In other ways, Jonno style. There are spreadsheets evolving as I type. The ETTC team quite astutely got the measure of our different personalities and opinions on things. What they didn’t seem to “get” is that these differences compliment each other and somehow we end up working out what suits us both. To be fair, I don’t know how we get to a decision sometimes but we do.
Rustbucket or Jalopie
As much as we love a train or bus ride, house hunting by public transport is totally unachievable. Then there will the necessity to buy essentials to set up home. That shopping list will be rather long but in this throw away world and being a lover of upcycling and charity shops, we will start there. It could be quite a quirky eclectic mix.
So the first of our small steps is to look out for a little car. It will be so strange to have our own wheels after just using the occasional hire car.
Mothballing the Backpacks
Will we be hanging up the backpacks I hear you ask? The answer is a resounding no! However long the house hunting and purchasing takes, depending on how the budget looks, we will plan a trip. We have cancelled so much over the last 18 months it will great to get back exploring again. So a little coat hook for the backpacks is a must allowing us to grab them and go if we get cabin fever.
End or Beginning?
Far from feeling that this is the end of something, we are seeing it as a new beginning. One of the ironic things is that with orders to “Stay Home” for a good proportion of the last 12 months, it is only now, when we have more freedom that we decided to get a home to “stay” in. The options seem endless, location? house? lodge? apartment? but wherever and whatever it is it will be our treasured home. Having not had one and any possessions for such a long time, we will certainly appreciate every piece of brick and mortar and knife and fork.
One of the most important things for us both is that our home will be about the moments we will be able to share within it with family and friends. Home comforts are great but, for us, it is more about have a place to “be” rather than having material things.
So if you are ever passing by – you will get a warm welcome you will possibly have to bring your own chair!!
Research or a Walk?
So with a few decisions made it would be tempting to spend hours trawling websites but we are a bit more old school, or should I say slow school. With the fantastic weather and footpaths still to explore, this definitely won’t be all consuming. Sitting with the laptop or wandering through a wheat field. No competition.
This could take some time………
12/06/2021
JWalking 
Exciting times! I wonder when you have your own place, if the open road calls would you rent out your own place while you travel?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Possibly… haven’t worked things out just yet. Could go one way or another. We will get cabin fever or won’t want to leave. Time will tell.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are not the only ones, one of my old school friends – yes we have known each other for that long – is stay for a while to try to find a home in this area. Apparently houses here are going within hours and if you say ‘umm’ more than once, it has gone.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a tricky time. Hope your friend finds “the one”.
LikeLike
Good luck in this new venture!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. Bit scary but exciting
LikeLiked by 2 people
Another adventure . Are you settled on an area? good luck!
LikeLiked by 1 person
No set area decided upon just yet. We are probably too flexible!!
LikeLike
It’s probably a good idea to have a home base but that needn’t stop you from still travelling and house sitting. Good luck with the house hunting. If your market is anything like what’s happening here it may take you a while. I’m sure you’ll find the perfect home when the time is right.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We are quite relaxed about it and know its not the best timing. If its meant to be we will find something that suits us.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s the best attitude to have. I hope it all works out for you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sure it will. Ever the optimist. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
I read this with mixed feelings Jo. A tinge of sadness that your wonderful nomadic lifestyle has been so abruptly put on hold. But, also with a sense of admiration for your enthusiasm and positivity towards that way of life changing, for which you had no control over. I wish you both the very best with your future plans and as always look forward to reading all about them.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Liz. You read it exactly the way that I wrote it with mixed feelings. We are both viewing this as a new adventure and I’m sure the odd nomadic moments will continue even if for shorter bursts.
LikeLike
All the best for your searching and it’s lovely of you to include us all ion this new journey! Can’t wait to read more and you’re right it’s definitely a new beginning 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Deb. Truly the start of another adventure.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good luck on your search! Funny how the pandemic has opened our eyes to a lot of things, I know a lot of people are rethinking their homes, where they live, where they work, etc. right now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It has certainly made people take stock and prioritise what is important to them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, good luck! I do appreciate how difficult the last fifteen months must have been.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Mick. Tricky last 15 months but phoenix from the flames and all that. 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, big news! Not the end but the start of another new beginning somewhere or another. Ringo must be swamped in spreadsheets. But where to go Jo? You’ve seen so much of the UK and been rather impressed by most of it that just picking a county will tough. Maybe start with N, E, W or S of Maidstone. Good luck.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Too many options but the budget will dictate a lot of the decisions. Will keep you posted.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh wow, another adventure, just slightly different. Enjoy!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Slightly different indeed!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Wow, this is news. I had no inkling, perhaps I’ve missed an earlier post. I’m just scrolling through my unread emails, so I may come across an earlier post. Don’t count on staying low on possessions, it just doesn’t happen. People will give you things, and you’ll find bargains. We’ve gave up our free and easy lifestyle less than 5 years ago. We had nothing except one box of photos, and one small box of Wedgewood that had been stored at my daughters. We’re moving again, and as we sought through our ‘stuff’, I’m almost sick at the accumulation. We had good intentions…..
LikeLiked by 1 person
It doesn’t bode well then but we will do our best. Maybe the key is to move every 5 years?
LikeLiked by 1 person