Friday 1 March 2019

Home


So this is it - home.

Truly a smaller and simpler life. 

Just a girl, a Pug dog, a small car, a tiny garden and a van ... a caravan ... but she will always be 'the van' for short.
Four hundred and thirty two square feet of living space, plus a small outside decking area.  

Tiny living ... something I have always, always wanted :-)



Set out something like this.

Well almost exactly the same as this except for the en-suite in the main bedroom ... which in my vans case is in the opposite corner. With the tiny en-suite being in the top left corner (as you look into the bedroom from the doorway) and the fitted wardrobe adjacent to it.   I will show you photos of the actual rooms as they are now on a future post.  But I have some changes in mind and things may not stay exactly as they are pictured for long.

I gave a massive clue away almost a year ago, when I published THIS post shortly after starting this blog.  The photo actually showed the brochure photo of the kitchen area of our new second home.  Over the last year we have worked hard remodelling the outside space to make it work for us and the dogs.

And now this is to become my home for the majority of the time. 

 I'll be growing herbs and planting some edibles in the tiny garden, along with the flowers and shrubs we have already put in.  Shopping in the nearby village and nearest towns, and generally taking a step back and away from the hustle, stress and hard work of the last few years.  Self sufficiency on a large scale is not for me.  I don't want to own land, raise animals or hatch birds, I don't want to have so much relying on me ... I feel the weight of the responsibility of all that far too much.

And that I think is it, I don't need much and I don't want much.  I don't want a life of striving to make things work.  I want to take what I've learnt about me, my life over these last few intensive years, about my relationships with others and I want to make things better for me and the people I love.  And when I'm a happier and calmer person that works so much better for everyone.  And most of all I do realise completely that I am married to the most special of men that is willing to allow me to do just that.

And to make things crystal clear, we are not splitting up, we are not divorcing and we are not having a trial separation ... we are simply living the lives we each want to live for a few days each week and getting back together every weekend.  Exactly as we used to do when we first met and for the first few years of our marriage.  To enjoy each others company when we are not busy working at our individual choices and jobs.  Most of the time Suky will be with me and Mavis will be with Alan, as sometimes Mavis and Ginger like to snuggle up at bedtime and it would be cruel to separate them.  And of course we will all be together at weekends.


So come with me through a country gate, to a calmer, smaller and much simpler life.


Sue xx


42 comments:

  1. What a wonderful adventure ! Sounds a lovely plan, well done for choosing what works for you. Looking forward to being part of your journey. X

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We'll see how it goes ... but you're very welcome to be a part of my journey 🙂

      Delete
  2. I'm very happy for you, Sue. I'd guessed you have a caravan for a while - having had a caravan (albeit a tourer) ourselves and been on numerous static caravan holidays, I'd recognised the little glimpses you've given of it over the past few months. I've always been an advocate of following our dreams...that's how we got to leave our home of 25 years in the Midlands and move down here to Somerset, and it's the best thing we ever did. I shall look forward to reading more about your new life. I love caravans!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've always loved small living spaces and especially caravans ... and I mean ALWAYS. I started on Lego models of little houses for little people when I was about six 😄

      Delete
  3. Like Sooze, I'd sort of guessed. All the very best for your new life and I'm really looking forward to reading about your future.
    xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There have been lots of clues and a few slip ups, so I guess some of you lovely regulars would have half expected something like this. Thnk you for your good wishes, it is appreciated 🙂

      Delete
  4. How exciting - I love our caravan holidays (static not tourer). My first thought was "what about Mavis and Ginger" but I can see you've included them in your plans. You'll feel like you're on holiday every day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, Mavis is a real Daddies Girl and Ginger is a true homebody so this way it works best. Suky is much more chilled out ... up for adventure and change. As long as she has a bed, a bowl of food and one of her favourite humans to cuddle up to she's fine ♥️

      Delete
  5. Me too, and you know how much I have enjoyed time in my parents' statics for years. You will have a wonderful time and you don't have to justify your relationship's dynamics to anyone else.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was just nipping in the bud what could have been an influx of questions, and also setting family members and friends that don't see us that often minds at rest 🙂

      Delete
    2. Indeed. Folk have a habit of jumping to conclusions, especially when we decide to go "off piste" as opposed to sticking to the norm, whatever that is!

      Delete
  6. It sounds like the best of both worlds! I love tiny homes, and dream of someday living in a little cottage or cabin by a lake.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm fifty yards from a river so I have water, walks and lots of ducks 😀

      Delete
    2. Oh, that sounds wonderful!! you'll have to post a few photos someday...

      Delete
  7. I applaud you and your husband for working out a compromise that works for both of you. Having followed your blogs for years now - you certainly deserve a break. You have both worked so hard - on the house and the garden - having some time to yourself is well deserved. I can't wait to read about this next stage of your life. Congratulations.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, that is a lovely comment ♥️

      Delete
  8. Have you got rid of the chickens in your other home?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No, the chickens still live in Chicken World, and will live out their lives their in happy retirement thre. Ethel will also be back in residence in a couple of weeks with a surprise little friend. This arrangement worked perfectly well last year so we see no reason to change it. The place is only unoccupied for a couple of days at a time.

      Delete
  9. I guessed about the caravan too.We lived in one for a year with 2 children under 4!It was OK - hardly any Housework!

    There is a sentence that says it all about self-sufficiency and 5 acres - The Responsibility. I used to even feel responsible for the people that stayed on the campsite! - crazy. It wears you out in the end.

    Look forward to seeing the countryside around your new weekday home and enjoy the quiet away from That road

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We've both had adventurous lives haven't we. I bet your children loved their time in the van ... maybe you not quite so much on wet, cold days. Keeping two under fours entertained must have been a bit challenging at times 😄

      I'm looking forward to sharing my little adventure with everyone on this blog.

      Delete
  10. The older I get, the simpler and smaller I want life to be. I understand about wanting less responsibility. Someone has recently constructed camping pods near us but they are quite big and I really would love one! Be happy and well done for figuring out what works for you. My husband's ill health over the last two years culminating in a cardiac arrest has made us take a step back and sort out priorities. For us it's not about obtaining bigger of more but about appreciating and being content with what we have and being totally debt free. Our first challenge to making life less stressful will be to pay off the mortgage and the goal for that is the end of the year, assuming hubby's health remains stable. Thank you for all your good wishes throughout my difficult times xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I guess we're in the same place in our lives. It's nice when we can work out what we want, and even nicer if with bit of hard work and determination we can make it happen. Settling into a comfortable life is never a bad thing, it's society that says we have to strive for more and more, and it's a brave person that stands up and says NO I don't.

      If I were you I would book me and my hubby into one of the pods for a lazy weekend of reading, treaty type foods and relaxation. It's always good to get away from home for a couple of days ... even if it is close to home. Xx

      Delete
  11. What an exciting adventure. I look forward to following the journey with you. We have now paid off our mortgage and are debt free so are cutting back on our work load to enjoy life more and make it less stressful. We are self employed caterers working from a kitchen on our property and have had many years of working all hours. It is so good to be able cherry pick now and we have both become much better at saying no to things. I enjoy my chickens and my husband has joined an allotment share. There is more to life than work. I wish you luck on your new adventure and look forward to reading all about it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yay to paying off the mortgage 🤸‍♂️🤸‍♀️🙂

      It sounds like you are both in a good place with your lives, well deserved.

      Delete
  12. Absolutely wonderful. I hope its all you want it to be. Xx

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hello Sue, yes I realised it was to be a van too, I wish you all the happiness in the world, may you find peace and contentment we only have one life and it's important to be happy xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, you are all very good detectives 😃😊😆

      Delete
  14. I'm very glad to hear you're not splitting up - though as someone said, you don't have to justify your lifestyle choices to anyone!! I know that when my OH was working one week in London, & then coming out to France for one week, I really enjoyed both parts of my life! It can help enormously to have a break from each other!! I look forward to reading more about your life in The Van

    Fat Dormouse (https://fatdormouse.wordpress.com/)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We've had more years living split lives than we have together, like you say it makes both parts much more enjoyable. You get to see and enjoy the best of each other when you're together, any niggles can stay uncomplained about as they are only temporary and you can do, watch and enjoy what the other doesn't while you're apart.

      I wasn't justifying myself, I was nipping any streams of questions in the bud and hopefully setting our families minds at rest. Some folk just don't 'get it', those on the same wavelength as us just do. So I was just trying to spell it out nice and simply 😀

      Delete
  15. How wise of both of you to follow your hearts and not try to fit into the conventional boxes they are designed by society.
    Your new home looks amazing. It will be fun reading the parts you are willing to share.
    Like others, and possibly because we had a VW camper van till 2 years ago, I had sort of guessed your secret.
    It's always exciting to change your style of living and assess what is really important in your life.
    We have not regretted selling our van for a moment though at the time it was dreadful.
    Now we stay in cottages. I love the lack of responsibility, there's that word again!
    I feel free to be me, I hope that you and Alan will both feel the same.
    Sue

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The only time I tried to fit into a 'conventional box' was in my former marriage ... I was desperately unhappy for years. I did my own thing for a few years when I left and loved it.

      Trying to get into a different kind of box recently just let all the frogs out ... so I'm staying out and playing with frogs. Now THAT could have been a brilliant name for this blog ... 'Playing With Frogs' 😆😆

      Delete
  16. Phew, I was worried for a bit about you and Alan!! I had also guessed that you were moving into a caravan. I hope this arrangement is what you need. As you say, you have spent much time apart because of hubby's job, so you know what will work for you. I totally understand what you are saying about the responsibility of your little farm. It was a lot of work. Will there be no vegetable patch at the farm now? Looking forward to hearing all about your simpler life!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alan's been working at neatening up the Veggie Patch on the hillside, and now the beds have been cleared and manured they'll be covered to keep weeds at bay. Just the asparagus and rhubarb beds will be in use. The Net Tunnel is still holding turnips and leeks. The polytunnel will have a planting of salad crops as usual, seedlings and plants will be started there for both locations.

      There will be enough for Alan to be able to cope with watering daily during Summer, it used to take me up to an hour a day to water when we were in full production, that wouldn't work now.

      Delete
  17. Another one who loves caravans and had guessed about yours, wishing you and Alan much happiness in your new situations. I have followed your blogs for a long time now and look forward to reading of your new adventures. I am sure that you will find the peace that you need. Ali from Shropshire.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, I really appreciate that Ali. 🙂 xx

      Delete
  18. Wishing you both the best as you follow the path both of you need to follow to make your lives what you want.

    God bless.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Oh Sue I am glad that you and your Lovely Hubby are OK. I must admit I did guess something was going to change, but I didn't forecast you living separately (albeit for a few days a week). Guess I am one of those that don't "get it", but everyone is different and strives for different things in life. I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all the very best in your new adventure. I have followed your blog for a long time and taken great enjoyment from it. To be able to follow you in this 'Smaller Life' will be lovely. Thank you so much for sharing. P.S. I am glad you have still got your chickens - I was worried about them. Good luck to you both.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The chickens will stay til the end of their days, we have some real old timers living out their happy egg laying retirement with us.

      Delete
  20. I've been blog hopping and finally caught up. I wish you well in your new home, you have to do what's best for you. Please can we have some pics of Mavis. ilona x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'll snap a few soon ... promise. You don't have to worry about her, she's a real daddies girl and loves travelling. 🙂

      Delete

Comments are now turned off for this old blog of mine. Thank you for reading the posts, I hope you enjoyed them. xx

Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.