This year has been difficult for everyone, with the Covid-19 pandemic and two national lockdowns. We responded by selling our homes in Salisbury and Woolacombe and buying a building plot and a caravan! Chris has always wanted a walled garden, inspired in good measure by Jules Hudson’s marvellous book ‘Walled Gardens’ published by the National Trust, and also fancied building a new environmentally sustainable house. Bev was bravely and kindly willing to go along for the ride and embraced the idea of selling our homes where we’d been for decades, living in a caravan and committing our funds and energy to a dream. We’ve all seen Grand Designs!
We were unbelievably lucky in finding Clouds Garden Lodge in nearby East Knoyle near Shaftesbury. We’d assumed we might have to move elsewhere in the Country to find what we wanted but here we are: in an area we know, within 40 minutes of Salisbury, midway between Gen and Henry, and able to stay in touch with local friends. And even better, the Fox and Hounds is a few yards around the corner!
The 3.5 acre site comprises the former kitchen garden of Clouds House and contains an empty 1970s bungalow, and was being sold with the benefit of planning permission for a massive new modern home. We’ve never found out why the vendors chose not to progress with their plans and perhaps we’ll find out as we set off on our adventure ….
Over the next year or so (how long?!), we need to design a house and garden, get planning permission, build a house and outbuildings, manage advisors and contractors, repair the walls and its features, get the garden under control and into a manageable state, and put our roots down in a new community. Along the way we’ll learn loads, rely on many other people and if it’s possible, we hope, have some fun and enjoy a fulfilling experience.
Chris and Bev - Heads in the Clouds 