Survival up North - Guest Post from Amelia at Homework

Monday, 11 January 2016

A guest post from my friend Amelia who blogs about interior design and other things over at Homework.  We met at work and kept in touch after ... Well, read the post and you'll see:


18 months ago I gave up a big salary, international business travel and a busy social life in central London and moved to rural Cumbria. My colleagues were astounded. [In between the jealousy and the admiration! - Mrs T].  The nearest wine bar is 10 miles away. There is no 3G in my village, or bus service. But we do have a weekly mobile library (I know, I didn’t think they existed anymore either). And as the average villager is 70+ the WIFI is great, particularly in the evening when presumably they’ve all gone to bed. My family and friends were not so surprised by my decision as they knew I had grown weary of corporate life, but I think even they thought I would take a break and then return. No chance.

Cumbria
My new home in Cumbria

So I spent a few months in the garden. Then I set up a new business as an Interior Designer. No, I hadn’t done it before and no, I don’t have any professional qualifications (yet), but an expert in anything was once a beginner and I was always getting compliments about my home décor so I thought what the hell. If it doesn’t work out I’ll just do something else.

So far it’s working out. I spent more on stationary in my last job than I earn now, but I’m still establishing myself and things are heading in the right direction so no reason to stop. And more importantly I’m happy and healthy.

Before and After
Before and after shots of a recent project

Mr W stayed in London initially and we embarked on a 5:2 relationship (like the diet but 5 days apart and 2 days together). With all the travel we used to do we didn’t see each other any less. It’s the secret to a long and happy marriage. It did mean learning a few survival tactics though, namely:

  1. Always keep a spade, wellies and a torch handy. It rains a lot so at some point you’ll need to unblock a drain/pipe/stream in the dark
  2. Get a smart TV and/or Sky. Regular TV is terrible.
  3. Make sure you don’t run out of wine, chocolate or salted peanuts. It’s 10 miles to the nearest supermarket.
  4. Make friends with your neighbours in case you run out of wine, chocolate or salted peanuts.
  5. Find a reliable electrician and plumber and keep them sweet. Things break and it’s cold and dark for a large part of the year so you’ll need them.
  6. Keep chickens. The eggs will mean you’ll never starve and you can use them to keep the electrician and plumber sweet.
  7. Make sure one of your new friends/neighbours is handy in case you need something lifting, drilling or hammering, or you need a dead chicken disposing of.
  8. Make sure one of your new friends/neighbours is proficient in first aid. Particularly if you’re clumsy. I am clumsy. Mr W suggested a panic button when I moved here.

Chickens
The girls that keep my electrician and plumber sweet

So I managed not to have any serious incidents (only one call for first aid) and I’ve actually enjoyed the freedom and solitude. Don’t get me wrong I’ve had the occasional London trip to get my burrito, sushi and wine bar fixes but I’m always ready to come home after 48 hours.

But now its all change again as Mr W has taken redundancy and we’ve figured out he can afford to retire early. It’s great news but I might need to compile another list of survival tactics to prevent us killing each other…..

AW

I'm hoping that once the survival list is compiled, I'll be able to tempt Amelia back to share it.

Ever made a similar life change?  Let me know in the comments.  Or, if you have some survival tips to help Amelia and Mr W not kill each other, then please share them.

If you'd like to guest post on Someplace Strange, then please contact me on nawood3k at hotmail dot co dot uk.  Thank you


More Amelia:





Houzz http://www.houzz.co.uk/pro/amy-wilson52/amelia-wilson

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24 comments

  1. This is a very brave decision to move to the rural country side. I've relocated a couple of times in my life and started all over, so I know how hard it may be.
    Well done for the bravery and keep enjoying the path! xx

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    1. I'm seeing Amelia on Friday so I'll find out more, but she assures me she's never coming back to London!

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  2. And here I thought moving from a big city (Baltimore, MD) to a small town (where I am now in Massachusetts), was a big move! Sometimes I think I want to move into the country and just be done with society as a whole but then I realize that I love my town. It's my own little perfect part of the world and it was the best move I ever made! Best of luck to you and that is really awesome about starting your own business without little to no experience! That is truly admirable! #mg

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    1. Ah, bless you and thank you for the lovely comment

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  3. we certainly did the move to the country thing with Coombe Mill and have never looked back, I hope your move is the right one for you too. #sharethejoy

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    1. Thank you for the lovely comment. What you're doing at Coombe Mill is amazing and it sounds like you've achieved loads. And more planned! Good luck getting it done

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  4. Glad it's worked out so well for you. & I am really glad to discover that mobile libraries still exist! Funnily enough, I have always thought that interior design looks like something that would be really enjoyable to do - hope it continues to work out! #fartglitter

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    1. Thank you for the lovely comment and good wishes

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  5. Ah, interior design! I debated going to school for interior design, and sometimes I regret NOT choosing it for my career path. The rooms are lovely! Best of luck to Amelia with her business and adjusting to her new surroundings! #mg

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    1. They are! Thank you for the lovely comment and good wishes

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  6. What a move, but an inspiring one at that. I've thought a lot about whether I'd prefer to live somewhere in the countryside and I think I would, but we've got lots of saving to do before that can happen. It must be so relaxing. Good on you for starting up something new with no experience and sticking to it - good luck for the future! #TwinklyTuesday

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    1. Amelia is the most determined person I know! If anyone can make it work, she can

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  7. What a cool and brave adventure. I love moving and get itchy feet after a year or so. Very excited to make the leap to Europe in 6 months. I wonder if I can convince the Mummy to let mw keep chickens....

    Thanks for linking up to #fartglitter

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    1. I wish you luck with the chicken acquisition! I love the idea, but chickens are a lot of work!

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  8. That's a very big life changing decision indeed! Hats off! I am glad that it's working out for Amelia. Thanks for sharing with #abitofeverything PS the room looks amazing

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    1. Indeed, hats off. I was so pleased for her when she told me. Thank you for hosting each week

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  9. I am not big on moving. I change a lot of things about myself but moving is not one I like to change. So I am hoping that we will live in this house until our kids go off to college. Great guest post! #AnythingGoes

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    1. Thank you :). I'm not big on moving either, but it' goes with Rev T's job so I've got used to the idea. Good to see you and hope you're well

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  10. Yup, we moved out of London years ago for a more rural life and I have to say that while I love to visit the big smoke I couldn't go back to living there again! A brave and wonderful decision and great to read about a new blog find! Thanks for linking up at #sharethejoy x (Michelle at The Joy Chaser and The Essex Barn)

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    1. Thank you for hosting each week. I'm sure you'll enjoy looking around Amelia's blog. I've always lived surrounded by concrete. The thought of a completely rural life makes me nervous!

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  11. haha no hints for the not killing each other, although I think having your own interests as well as some joint ones helps any marriage survive at any time. I truly admire her bravery too, I feel jealous. We are travelling in Tassie right now and part of me longs to stay and just open up a little studio where we can sell our photography and my books and yummy homemade scones, and other local art work. It would be nice, but I also love my life back home, my connections with family and where my children go to school. I just followed her on Instagram, love her style. Thanks for sharing on #mg

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    1. I admire her too and I'm so glad you enjoyed it :) I know we're going to have to move on eventually and the convention is that ministers live a good distance away from where they were before. I'm not thinking about it. God will tell us in his own good time that we're moving on. Enjoy the Tassie trip. :) Please share photos when you're back!

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  12. No 3G! Seems totally worth it though, totally love the bedroom makeover and retiring early must be amazing to look forward too (not that any of us want to think about growing old quickly). Thanks for linking up to #MarvMondays! Kaye xo

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    1. Thank you for hosting each week and have a lovely weekend :)

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