Booked!

 I've gone ahead and booked us a week's holiday in a cottage - well, a large wing of a farmhouse, in September.  It's just over an hour's drive away and is located in a rural farming area very near where we lived when we first moved down to Somerset.  The last time we went away was in September last year, a 5 day stay in a beautiful lodge on a small holiday park in north Devon.  It wasn't a success, husband was dissatisfied with just about everything and we came home a day early as I was fed up with him complaining.  

Well, I was determined to find nice accommodation in a lovely area, not built up, with rural views and not too far from amenities and nice places to visit, something that gave husband nothing to moan about in other words, I think this place ticks all the boxes.  I showed it to husband before booking and even he was impressed.  The cottage itself is gorgeous, old with exposed beams and stonework, beautifully furnished, large rooms, a nice conservatory, big decking area with plenty of outdoor seating and a huge, secure enclosed garden which Betty should enjoy.  Typically, the first thing that husband asked was what size is the TV and does it have satellite channels 😂😒 Whereas I'm looking forward to sitting on the decking - or in the conservatory if it's raining - with a mug of coffee and a good book, looking out over the fields (it's a working farm) and watching Betty enjoy the garden.  One of the good things about the location is that it's not far from Wells, which remains one of my favourite ever places in Somerset.....in the 2.5 years since we've lived here we've not been there as it's too far to drive from here, it would take over 1.5 hours which is a bit too much for husband, but it's only about 20 mins or so from the holiday place.  Clark's Village (the retail outlet), Wookey Hole and several nature reserves are close by too, so plenty to do.  There's even a tea room not far away, and you all know by now how much I like those! 😁  I'm really looking forward to it and can't wait to go.  With the conservatory and large garden - and the working farmers encouraging guests to walk round the farm and even help feed the animals and collect eggs - there'll be ample opportunity for me to be by myself for a break from husband, if necessary.

There's quite a bit of noise coming from the building site next door but it's not bothering me as much now, I'm obviously getting more used to it.  They're certainly cracking on with the work now, although there's not much difference externally, I assume they're working inside.  They've still got the rest of the scaffolding to erect, still only the one gable end of that done, and then they'll be taking off the roof slates, building up the walls to double height and putting the roof back on, I expect it'll be noisier then.  I just hope they keep the overall character of the building, it's a lovely ancient stone barn.