Anne, hello, and how lovely to her from you! It took me a while to recognise you without your mud-splattered boots! Good luck with your renovations. Is your house listed? I couldn’t agree more with you and Penny (see above) – one does appreciate the principle of protecting old buildings and neighbourhoods but the principle does seem to be applied rather randomly and not always logically even within the same authority. Also, they don’t alway seem to understand that fashions and needs move on. In our case, what was acceptable to an 18th century lead miner might no longer be so appropriate for 21st century lifestyles.

Penny, I was so pleased to hear from you again! I have been wondering how you’re getting on, knowing that there was a fellow sufferer out there with the same intention of downsizing voluntarily before ‘moving on’ involuntarily. Neither John nor I has found it easy, both being natural hoarders always convinced – and often annoyingly correctly – that the minute one has got rid of something the need for it will return. I must admit that John’s study (technically our third bedroom) does look extremely full but partly because I haven’t yet sorted out my filing cabinet which is also in there in rather commanding position.
Does your flat come with a garden? We thought a large shed would help but the planning authorities think very definitely not! And are you in the same area, with lots of excellent charity shops? I do enjoy your frugal fashion blogs…
The very best of luck for your move.

Thank you so much Mike. It has been a fateful but ultimately very satisfactory and happy change for us. We are loving our new house and village, and the fact that we are still in complete touch with all our many and very nearby Parwich friends. We look forward to your swimming in Matlock restarting. Happy Easter to you and Gill.