This is a diary of sorts: I will be recounting some of the things I see and do; I will describe the weather, the seasons, the pleasures and difficulties of living in rural North Suffolk.
I live with my husband and youngest daughter (my eldest daughter is recently married and visits as often as she can) in a small hamlet in the Waveney Valley, the border between Norfolk and Suffolk, in a detached house nearly thirty years old with a large garden. The nearest towns are about twenty minutes drive away – we also live quite close to the sea. There is very little public transport.
Our social life is centred in the local church. My husband retired in September 2015 and has been slowly getting used to his new lifestyle after 43 years at work. My mother lives fifteen minutes drive away and I see her very regularly but my husband’s family live in Manchester. Β We all visit them once a year but my husband sees them more often. My brother now lives in Suffolk as does his daughter but my sister lives further away in Kent with her youngest son.
I am interested in the wildlife (animals, birds, plants) that I see in the place I live and I belong to a number of conservation organisations. I enjoy reading and listening to music. I used to play the piano, draw and sew a lot but lack of time through running a house and bringing up two daughters has meant that I hardly ever do these things any more. I also have rheumatoid and osteo arthritis which makes a number of activities difficult at times.
I dislike cooking but nevertheless have to do it every day and do my best to produce interesting and nutritious food. I also find shopping tedious and would get out of it if I could!
The area I live in is quite bleak during the winter but very beautiful. This part of England is dryer than most other areas and the summer months are usually quite lovely. Some of our visitors find it too quiet and isolated. I am fortunate in not needing much company and never feeling lonely.
I would not live anywhere else.
Congratulations!
I have nominated your blog for the Cracking Chrispmouse Bloggywod Award.
More about this nomination is at
http://dearkitty1.wordpress.com/2014/02/12/cracking-chrispmouse-bloggywod-award-thanks-dear-horty-2/
LikeLiked by 1 person
A very, very belated thank-you for nominating me for this award. I am very grateful. However, I decided when I began my blog that I would not be able to accept any awards so regretfully I must decline it.
LikeLike
I completely understand. All the best for you and your blog!
LikeLike
Thank-you very much for your understanding and your well wishes. I enjoy reading your blog.
LikeLike
π
LikeLike
I love England and I loved your blog posts. Look forward to reading more about your beautiful country.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank-you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a glorious photo!
LikeLiked by 1 person
How very kind! Thank-you, Luanne.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I followed you here from my wife Georgina’s navasolanature blog which you follow. Y ou must be quite near my cousin at Dashes Farm (on the Waveney).
LikeLike
Thank-you very much for visiting me here. Yes, we live very close to the Waveney but I don’t know Dashes Farm. We live in St Nicholas, part of The Saints, equidistant (almost!) from Bungay, Halesworth and Harleston. Clare
LikeLike
Oh sorry Clare – miles away. Dashes Farm is on the Waveney but west of Diss and Roydon. ‘North Suffolk’ is a bigger place than I thought. Georgina has gone to London today (yesterday). I’m still in Spain!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know both Diss and Roydon quite well. I take my mother shopping in Diss every week!
LikeLike
After years of reading the blog I finally found this page – I think you are too modest!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, too kind π
LikeLiked by 1 person
π
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love rural England. I’ve never been out of Australia, but if I ever managed to travel overseas, England would be the place. My best friend is from Cornwall and hasn’t been home for a long time. If either of us won lotto, we’d be up, up and away π
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wish you both the best and hope you win the lotto very soon!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds like to live in a beautiful haven. My wife and I have yet to visit Suffolk and Norfolk but they are most definitely added our holiday destinations list. π
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Kevin. I am very fortunate to live here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Strange too that I haven’t visited this page before and see my husband Trevor came first. We used to visit Suffolk a lot as many of Trevor’s cousins from Ilford have lived in the area for decades now! My ancestors are from north of Norwich,Reepham St Mary. A pub! Then moved to Sheffield and ran a pub. Perhaps a bit like Spanish bars, small family businesses.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Two years ago almost to the day!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Pleased to meet you, Trevor!
LikeLike
This is strange! And so interesting too. As you may remember, my elder daughter now lives in Sheffield and we are fairly frequent visitors there.
LikeLike
Yes, I do, as now my UK base is just the other side of the Pennines and I can easily go on the wonderful train journey, albeit through some long tunnels from Marple to Sheffield.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hello Clare β€οΈ
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hello Boomie Bol β€ Thank you for visiting my blog xoxo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much for all the love on my blog, I am truly grateful πππ
LikeLike
My pleasure, Boomie Bol β€ β€ β€
LikeLiked by 1 person