More Overtures
The second visit gave a much more favourable impression. To start with it wasn't dark. L. insisted on taking the scenic route from the airport which made us late arriving. When we arrived there was a three-course lunch waiting, and four people waiting for us so they could begin eating. It was a lovely civilized lunch, accompanied by a glass of white wine.
After lunch we were shown around the house and gardens by Elizabeth and Dick, a trusted voluntary gardener and Rose expert. With each step the house was growing on us. The only down side was the accomodation offered, which was dirty, smelly, and more than a little bit pokey. I thought the problems where mainly superficial, L. was more concerned.
The house itself was great though. An interesting historical muddle. Great rooms, long rooms, four-postered beds, polished floors, diamonded windows; it was the real thing. We were shown a priest hole, and an armoury in the roof, where a republican army had been billeted in the civil war. It was a house riven with history and, even if it wasn't really to our taste, the thought that we could engage close up to this history was intoxicating. The gardens were even better. Again not to my modern tastes, but one could see the skill and dedication involved. The overall effect was stunning.
At the end of the tour (and the day) Elizabeth told us she'd had over 40 replies to the advertisement but that as far as she was concerned it was 'yes' and 'yes' to the two of us. She left us to think about it, however, and we drove away with the reality of living there a step closer. Yet still there was something holding us back.
The second visit gave a much more favourable impression. To start with it wasn't dark. L. insisted on taking the scenic route from the airport which made us late arriving. When we arrived there was a three-course lunch waiting, and four people waiting for us so they could begin eating. It was a lovely civilized lunch, accompanied by a glass of white wine.
After lunch we were shown around the house and gardens by Elizabeth and Dick, a trusted voluntary gardener and Rose expert. With each step the house was growing on us. The only down side was the accomodation offered, which was dirty, smelly, and more than a little bit pokey. I thought the problems where mainly superficial, L. was more concerned.
The house itself was great though. An interesting historical muddle. Great rooms, long rooms, four-postered beds, polished floors, diamonded windows; it was the real thing. We were shown a priest hole, and an armoury in the roof, where a republican army had been billeted in the civil war. It was a house riven with history and, even if it wasn't really to our taste, the thought that we could engage close up to this history was intoxicating. The gardens were even better. Again not to my modern tastes, but one could see the skill and dedication involved. The overall effect was stunning.
At the end of the tour (and the day) Elizabeth told us she'd had over 40 replies to the advertisement but that as far as she was concerned it was 'yes' and 'yes' to the two of us. She left us to think about it, however, and we drove away with the reality of living there a step closer. Yet still there was something holding us back.
posted by Peter Lloyd @ 1:48 PM
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