It’s almost time for these biscuit munchers to move to another field. The cows are massing, waiting to hit the field for the summer months. Hopefully the three cow friends of our dog are still here. Dog is wagging his tail at the sight of the herd in the distance.

That’s country life for you right there. That’s as exciting and as racy as it gets here. It’s such a different life pace than living in the city. It took me a couple of years to adjust. Life never stands still in the city. Constant noise, constant movement. Even at night it never stopped. So much light pollution, sirens wailing, so much human nightlife. Yes immediate access to facilities and entertainment but it comes at a price.

Here we get a chip van that comes once a week. A cycle race comes through maybe every couple of months. Once a year a vintage car rally might stop off. That’s it for the days. With the spaces and high hedgerows you hardly ever see signs of human life. That’s such a good thing somedays…. Son and I have our little challenges with forfeits. Basically it gives Son an opportunity to torture his Dad. I remember one challenge where the loser had to run round the garden ten times – naked. The inevitable happened and I found the whole experience most liberating. In a city that sort of behaviour would have got me quickly arrested. Here in the village all it produced was much chuckling from Son and bemused looks from the cows.

At night no street lighting or light pollution. No pub to foster human nightlife. Wander into your garden and it’s pitch black. The only noise is from the wildlife. I’ve told the story from the first night before. Stood outside looking at the stars. Amazed at how many I could see. Then a deeply unsettling feeling. I am not alone. I am being watched. Suddenly countless eyes appear at the fence. I of course took it in my stride. Screamed and ran. The eyes later revealed to be many sheep clearly waiting for biscuits.

But over the years it’s all changed. Now I find cities claustrophobic and unsettling. I’m not sure I could ever go back to living in one again. Certainly Son would struggle. He enjoys his space and the quiet. City life would be too many people in too little space. Too many sensory distractions. I remember my partner saying that we will never return to urban life. We might end up being in this house for the rest of our lives. She was right, sadly far too quickly right.

106 thoughts on “Village life”

  1. And far to easy to avoid life in the country. That can be good, or bad. Being by yourself, sometimes, you get so wrapped up in your thoughts you don’t notice your withdrawal from life. I can do that in the country or the city. I would just disappear. Eventually life will interfere, whether you want it to or not. I found it’s better to involve yourself your way.

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  2. I was used to dark like that when we camped in the mountains, but the first time I visited ex parents. The first time I met them really… we stayed at their house waaaaay out in the country at Christmas. It was so dark and so cold (record cold that year, of course) and so quiet, I couldn’t sleep. It was too weird for this city girl. It would be nice to have more space for Ben to run off when he felt the need.
    Are you far enough north to see the Aurora Borealis?

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  4. I couldn’t live in the big city. The traffic alone would be too much for me. Here we’re surrounded by houses and neigbors, but it’s not a bad neigborhood. Most of my walks are just myself and the houses around me. A few neigbors may be out–one walking a dog or one mowing the lawn. Andrew would like to move further towards the mountains away from people…one day. I’m worried it would be too isolating. I’m somewhere inbetween. I wouldn’t mind more space and beautiful views, but we live in an urban area and I feel isolated as it is. Mostly it’s the lack of human contact, but it is nice to wander down the street and get a hello and a smile from a neigbors or two. I don’t know what the future holds…. or where we shall roam, but for now this is our home away from home.

    I like the sheep. ☺ You certainly have some peaceful views.

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      1. Yes, like today I did my usual rounds around the neighborhood. I usually have one neighbor who asks me which round I’m on because he sees me all the time. Today I had a neighbor I’ve never seen before ask me how many laps I was going to take. It’s nice when people ask. ☺ It’s a very friendly neighborhood.

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  5. I would like to visit somewhere quiet and dark for awhile. But after living 57yrs in cities, always close to Disneyland, Hollywood, and a billion opportunities for entertainment, not having them would make me crazy after a very short while. I sometimes think about moving somewhere peaceful… the old Vox community’s fantasy “Yurtlandia”… but know it would be a difficult adjustment.

    Then again, I like talking to animals… sheep and cows included!

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  6. What you describe is what I love Gary. I am a country bird living in a damned town, which I hate. And now, with this lockdown I cannot get to my beloved countryside wwhich is actually only ten minutes away in the car. But they won’t let us go, just for a short ride. It’s driving me stir crazy. I love sheep. I love cows. Was brought up with them. When will life return to normal so that I can be in the countryside again getting mental relief? Sounds lovely where you live Gary.

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      1. At least you are not in an industrial area. It is realky nice in North Yorkshire. I started my life there and have just written about it in my lufe story. Hutton Conyers, Do you know it? Ripon, Kneresborough, Harrogate.

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  10. I have always lived a city life. My only experience with village life is when i visit my grandparents. Their home tucked aeay from hustle and bustle , amidst the green rolling hills and silent valleys. They are both gone now. It’s all a thing of past now.

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      1. Well looking at some of this mess, the bulk of the cases and worse are in heavily polluted areas. It stands to reason. Looking back on my childhood, neither damp, nor heavily polluted air is good for lungs.

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  15. Village Life:: way better than city life any day of the week. And the challenges are to behold! How fun! We live across from a pasture of cows and right now there are four newly born and I love to watch them frolicking across the field. I would never give up my country living for the city.

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  16. I live on a tiny Island and its very beautiful. Pace is slow, detached from big cities and surrounded by the most beautiful beaches. Sounds lovely where you are and a great place for healing 🙂

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  18. I don’t drive so need to be in a city. But we have a garden and live by a canal so it’s not too busy.
    I used to think I could live anywhere. But actually I get very on edge and paranoid when living somewhere rural. I feel very vulnerable, for example if a car I don’t recognise drives past.

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  20. I can relate well to what you said. I am living in Liechtenstein (in the country side) but was born in Vienna and we used to be there for vacation during the summer holidays and later at least twice a year. When I was a teenager until my late 30s I always wished to move there again. But it changed a lot. Now imagining that I had to live in a city feels a bit suffocating. I love it too much to step outside and gaze at the amazing night sky.

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      1. Me neither, at least, not anymore! But Vienna truly is a beautiful city and I love to be there. It is my hometown and the roots of my physical being. Its spirit is flowing through my veins.

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      5. It depends on how many years back. There was a lot built on the municipal areas. Also the recreation areas have developed. But the city center – the old town – still has its magical charme.

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  21. I love living in the country ❤️ so peaceful – so beautiful ❤️ – kinda respite for the soul? Well to me anyway. I don’t think I can ever go back to the city either – I have zero desire for that.

    A chip van??? As in potato chips? We use to have that when I was little… a chip van would come around and we had these tins they would fill will chips 😄 I haven’t thought about that in years and years 😄… that was maybe when I was 8 or 9? It was “Charlie’s Chips” Lol

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      1. Oh ok… ours were potato chips… like Lay’s? Not French fries lol

        Here in California yes… we are definitely warmer than you are. Hands down lol 😄✌️

        But different areas of the United States are all different. But yeah I think we might be warmer? Although we do have Alaska lol ✌️

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      3. I have never been to Alaska…

        That was my dads bucket list trip …they took that trip right before he died… literally right before

        I always remember him saying he wanted to always take that Alaskan cruise …

        My mom always made a face 😄😄 she likes to be warm lol 😄✌️ she liked beaches … she would always be like “Alaska??” Lol she just teased him 😄❤️

        But they got their trip ❤️ the photos are incredible!! Is so incredibly beautiful ❤️

        I would like to see Alaska maybe one day ? It is very beautiful – I can only imagine how that would take your breath away in person!! 😮

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  23. I’ve been a city girl all my life but now in the outskirts so I can experience it when I choose and get out again when I want. I’ve never lived anywhere as quiet as where you are though and up until 6 mths ago I didn’t think I could. Now, it definitely has its draw. Visiting bustling cities for a few days is fun but I’m always ready to get out of the buzz after that.

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      1. Honestly I think I’d really enjoy living out in the sticks now. Surrounded by countryside and not many people. Strange how you change over the years isn’t it? X

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  24. I grew up in a rural area, when Dad moved the family to Ontario we lived in a small town. We have lived in the country, in small towns, and now in a small city. I miss being able to see all the stars at night. I miss long quiet days. I miss the ocean and the beach and hikes through the woods. I guess there are pros and cons no matter where you live. With hubby’s health we have to stay urban, near doctors/hospital etc. but I miss the countryside.

    I think you’re in the ideal place for your son and it sounds like you’ve adjusted rather well.

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  25. I envy you … stay right where you are, as you and son are both content there. I live in the suburbs, so not a city exactly, but far too much noise and activity and far too many fools & idiots to suit me. Not to mention guns. A few shooting incidents here in the past few years, one right in our backyard. I used to live in the country, and longed for the city … now I wish I could turn back time.

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  27. I have been a small town boy and moved to the city a couple of years ago but I cannot wait to get back to a smaller town, to a more slower pace of life.

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  28. The country life does have it’s positives. I love the garden part about venturing out at night, and it’s completely dark well except for the beautiful stars above. I believe even if the chaos of the city, you could get lost in your thoughts. It’s just how you see this. Hugs to you😌

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  29. I love being surrounded by countryside and wildlife and having sheep and cows for neighbours. I love laying in bed at night in the darkness and listening to the hooting of an owl in the distance. I love it when the cows arrive in the field and I wake up to the sound of munching outside my bedroom window. I love the peace that is broken just by the occasional tractor trundling by. My grown up offspring live in the city and I like visiting them but I think I am a country girl at heart and would be heartbroken if I had to leave and go back to city life. Hoping that you and your son are coping with the lockdown. My son Simon has had to move back in with me and is finding the days long and difficult to fill and doesnt really grasp why it is all happening.

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