Staying Local

This week’s Lens-Artists Challenge invites us to stay local. After a bumper month of travelling, that’s not at all a bad idea. But how local is local? I decided I’d confine myself to the sights we see just a few metres from our house: or as Boris Johnson might say, a few yards.

When we came back from France eight years ago, we needed a base from which to hunt for our Forever Home. We found something interesting to rent at the edge of a village just beyond Ripon. It ticked not a single box: it wasn’t within walking distance of shops and amenities; it had no garage (for junk-storage, not the car), and it had no garden of its own. Still, for a few months, it would be fine. We’re still here, and have no plans whatsoever to move on. And one of the reasons we love it so much here is that we share the use of this walled garden with our landlords.

Aren’t we lucky?

Author: margaret21

I'm retired and live in North Yorkshire, where I walk , write, volunteer and travel as often as I can.

64 thoughts on “Staying Local”

    1. Oh, isn’t there just? But I take my turn with the weeding (dreaded convolvulus and cleavers especially). Yes, walled gardens do have a really special appeal.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Weeding is not my favourite, but has to be done! Right now I am busy cutting things back as everything is looking a bit too much like a jungle! I have my eye on a tree branch which is shading the patio, but it will need some careful consideration.

        Liked by 1 person

  17. Wonderful local vista Margaret. I can see why you decided to stay. Nature’s beauty is certainly a draw. Somehow having shopping a bit of a distance away adds to the natural enjoyment. You’re not drawn to “run” to the store!

    Liked by 1 person

  19. Gifts often come in all sorts of sizes, some are one time use, and others simply keep giving. it seems you have found a gift without ever having to leave. Stay well, Peace.

    Liked by 1 person

  20. Hi Margaret
    We found our home just 40 years ago. When we left New York City we only knew it should be in Europe but not in the south. We were invited to the coast of Norfolk and stayed. Like Rebecca wrote, a home finds its residents.
    It looks quite romantic at yours. We know Ripon, we have been several times there.
    Wishing you a wonderful weekend
    The Fab Four of Cley
    🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  24. Oh my goodness Margaret, how incredible! I don’t think I’d have the heart to leave either! Reminds me of the phrase “the best laid plans…” How fortunate to have found such a marvelous place!

    Liked by 1 person

  26. Margaret – you never told me you had a walled garden! WHAT an absolute dream! Yes, you are lucky indeed. So beautiful, calm and lush. ♥♥♥

    Liked by 1 person

  29. Lucky to find it and wonderful to stay there. Your photos are so enticing and the garden is lovely in every way. Planning is good and necessary but its great to be able to be open to such serendipity.

    Liked by 1 person

Comments are closed.