Tuesday 23 June 2009

Country matters ....

I have been on the verge of writing a blog post for days.. but each time losing the momentum and slipping back in to a lazy fug.
As the days get longer.. I have become more distracted and my heart and head have yearned for leafy landscapes and wide open spaces. We are blessed to live in a 'city in the country' .. Evident of the lush skyline wrapped around the hollow of Bath urban life.. but deep down I really feel I belong in the country.. I am a 'welly' girl at heart and would love nothing more than to live in a stone cottage tucked down a winding lane with open vistas across fields ... A Country Girl.. just like the characters in one of my favourite old books by Edna O'Brien..There is something deeply romantic about rural life.. though I am sure those of you who live in the greener pastures of our fine land might disagree with me... 'What about the constant ferrying of offspring to their various pursuits, treks to the shops.... muddy lanes and the cacophony of nature that shatters the peaceful rural idyll...?
I would still trade in my neighbourhood noises... car alarms, screeching ambulance sirens.. the nocturnal sing song of an inebriated pedestrian or two.... and the living cheek by jowl with numerous earthlings....
Mr Custard and I took the opportunity to drive out to a village a few miles from Bath, to walk along a stretch of river.. unexplored territory.. and magnificent at this time of year.. with the abundant flora and fauna...The pale blue field of Linseed shimmered like mercury....Leafy, lovely, lush and oh so peaceful....Having decided some years ago that I was never going to be a driver.. despite passing my driving test.. I might find the 'Good Life' a little challenging.. without wheels... but there are bonuses..
Endless walks and the opportunity to finally own one of these.. or two even...Though in order to get some real exercise... it would be preferable to own the real thing.. and today I fell hook line and sinker for this little girl...She really stole my heart and made me more determined to up sticks one day and head for the hills... and own my very own Border Terrier.. who I will name Miffy.. Sigh!

30 comments:

Corinne Phillips said...

Miffy is so cute. It certainly wasn't the ending I was expecting to this blog entry!! Hope you enjoy loads of country walks with your little girl!

Selfsewn said...

Hi. Thought i should come and say hi.
I have read your blog before but just never got round to saying hello,
you know how it is!

Nice jug by the way, I have one of similar parentage!

Clare

Tracy x said...

cute dog :)
Border Terriers are so lovely, cute looking teddy bears of the dog world but with the terrier instinct in full force!!
my good friend had a sweet girl called Pippin and she was a true terrier in every way x
i hope that you find your "miffy" soon......
and may she quickly be joined by a friend :)
t x

Country Cottage Chic said...

Your special dog is out there waiting for you Michele!

Jayne

marble rose said...

My imaginary dog is a sheep dog called Shadow.

Fleur
x

Teena Vallerine said...

We LoVE the little blue tit hanger! All three dogs pretty cute too! Looks like you had a really nice escape. t.xx

Lyn said...

Oh what a cutie!
Yes having wheels is necessary I am afaid when living in the country, or excellent public transport-ha ha!
Love
Lyn
xxx

Niki Fretwell said...

Hi Michele,
What a sweet post ... I can picture you in your pretty tea dress and wellies! Canine pal at your heels....

Although I don't perhaps live way-out in the sticks, I am half-way there....It's an 18 mile round trip to my daughter's school. 7 miles into Bath (even more to Bristol) and a DIY shop always seems too far for us to bother, so jobs tend to get delayed!
There can be a few nasty niffs too in the countryside, just as we've decided to eat our lunch in the garden, usually! - sorry to lower the tone!
Anyway, you're very welcome to come and sample a spot of semi-rural living one lunchtime soon...

Niki x

A time to dance said...

Oh that little dog is so lovely, I would love a dog too but we dont have time for a dog and I dont think alfie cat would be too pleased....

Chelle said...

I can't believe how long it as been since I visited your blog. Your pictures are such a breath of fresh air. So relaxing and enjoyable. Your writing style is incredible. I have really missed you. But I'm back now, and will be for some time to come. :)

*Big hugs!*

Rubyred said...

Hi Michele,I so understand you yearning for a 'Miffy', I am desperate for a 'Wilson', but I can't persuade hubby at the moment!Unfortunately our beloved Peanut(our cat) died in February.We had him for nearly 21 years, I really miss having a pet around the place.Although hubby loved him to bits,he would like a break from pets, but I know if I got him to look at some puppies we would come away with one!I'll have to keep pestering!
Rachel x

jane and the happy crow said...

I am sure you will have your house in the country and little doggie. We are lucky enough to live down that winding lane in a stone cottage with fields all round, gloat, gloat!!!! Are those the little doggies that are coming to the fair? They might have a home waiting for them. Miffy is a lovely name for a little doglet, what a lucky girl she will be when you find her. Jane xxx

Margie’s daughter Leiny said...

Hi Michele, Your photos are so pretty, I love the blue of the linseed, and what cute bow wows you have. Miffy is a little sweetie. I love the "Country Girls" reference, I grew up in that environment. I too am a country girl and find that you get out of the country what you put in. Thank you for the "appreciation reminder". Hugs, Margie.

Dana and Daisy said...

is she really real? She looks like a little stuffed toy with button eyes!

THISNTHAT said...

Hi, Bath is a great city but I can see why you are drawn to the peace of the countryside. It's just a bit easier to just 'be' and to think away from the bustle isn't it. Hope you get that dog one day:)
Lesley X

Sue said...

At least you live in a beautiful city whilst you are dreaming of your 'country escape'.

And yes you do need to drive to live in the country, unless you're going to hibernate. I have to drive for 10 mins just to reach our front gate!!

Your dream dog is gorgeous, I have a big muddy Border Collie and would love a terrie of some description to go with her.

Hold on to your dreams, one day you can make them come true.

Sue xx

Vintage to Victorian said...

Hi Michele

I do miss being able to look out on fields from our windows. Houses and rooftops just don't foot the bill somehow. Our last cottage was 10 feet from the garden boundary and fields. Oh to be back there!

We had a Rosie for nearly 14 years and she made our little family complete. As mad as a hatter, but such good company. One day you'll have your Miffy I'm sure, and the countryside to match.

I just love it when I come across a blue field. There's something so evocative about it somehow.

See you soon.

Sue x

Evsie said...

Hi Michelle,I love country lanes,but this time of year there is a small annoyance ..... Caravans !! but as GP said thats another story.

Ragged Roses said...

What lovely photos Mrs C. It does one wonders to be outside in the country, one of the best tonics... As for Miffy, are you sure you can't just smuggle her home inside one of your baskets?
Mx

Joshy and belle said...

i live in a little town in between the country and the sea but really im right there with you in a little stone cottage tucked down the end of a sleepy country lane, with climbing roses by the door!!
felicity xx

Suzy's Vintage Attic said...

Hello Michele

I enjoyed your previous post very much, I learnt a lot about you. We share some similar favourites. We are lucky indeed to live in an area of such beauty. I love the English countryside especially the West. I have lived in busy cosmopolitan cities and the countryside. The countryside is the winner for me, you can't beat it! I love the view from where you live! Bath is a beautiful city.
Take care
Isabelle x

Josie-Mary said...

I would love to live in Bath, I was thinking of coming up today for the races. Lovely post.... my dog would be a bernese mountain dog called John..lol!!!
One day I will have him... when I'm not working all hours & living on an estate. We can but dream :)

LiLi M. said...

Ah I wish that more people were thinking like you. I am not a driver either (though I have a license too). Many people aren't good drivers either, but unlike me they don't think that is a problem, they think that whatever they do in their car they are right. Choosing the wrong lane and then blow their horn towards me...I won't spend another word on them. And I think that too many cars make cities very ugly. I think that you can absorbe a landscape so much better when you are walking through it. Dreaming of anything; like a Miffy for example. Enjoy your dreams and your days!

Frances said...

Hello from New York. I share so many of your thoughts about country life. Earlier this week I also had a glorious day at a friend's beautiful house by a lake on the edge of a protected forest. Saw a wild turkey and deer, and breathed in such clear air.

Bliss!

hens teeth said...

One day, my friend.

thevintagemagpie said...

Hi Michele, that border terrier, what a beautiful face! I'm a country girl too at heart, love be knee deep in mud, always have done. I am looking for books to read for my reading group, and Edna O'Brien is someone I'd never heard of... I'm off to check on Amazon!
Have a great weekend

Kitsch and Curious said...

I often think it would be lovely to live in the country. My dream is to have a duckpond with ducks and geese. Maybe chickens as well....
But I know in my heart I would miss the city - shops, galleries, restaurants and the convenience of it all for the non-driver (yes me too). And we're so lucky to live in Bristol and Bath, where greenery is never that far away.

Theresia said...

love your blog!!

Louise said...

I can just see you on the cover of The Country Girls Michele! I hope all your dreams one day come true. I want a cat! x

Elizabeth said...

The country is great, but oh Bath is so beautiful! We really enjoyed our trip there a few weeks ago! Very cozy and walkable. :)I posted some pictures on my blog of your fair city.