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I Escaped To The Country - Season 10 Episode 5 - West Sussex And Norfolk
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00:00Many of us dream of making a break for the countryside and we're here to help
00:08people take that rural leap of faith we venture to the four corners of the UK
00:19searching for peaceful country properties couldn't be more stunning
00:24could it sold yes in truly spectacular scenery it is absolutely stunning is
00:31there Wow I want to get inside and have a look the sheep in the field it's an
00:36adventure of a lifetime my heart is pounding in my chest it really is Wow
00:45paving the way to a brand new lifestyle it's like yes this is ours and it's
00:51still unbelievable that it's actually ours so join us as we catch up with those
00:57who transformed their lives when they escaped to the country
01:18when it comes to buying your dream country home some people want a
01:23property that is ready to go you open the door pop the kettle on and boom your new
01:28life starts straight away others are searching for a project they don't see
01:33peeling wallpaper and crumbling fireplaces they see potential but whether you're a
01:38turnkey treasure hunter or a fixer-upper fanatic your rural adventure could start
01:44the moment you step through that door we begin today's show searching the lush countryside of West
01:52Sussex before heading east to Norfolk where in the summer of 2022 I went property shopping with Lou
01:59and her remit to find a home that captured the feeling of her childhood holidays in the county but
02:05first I'll be rendezvousing with Nicola and Nick who this time last year we're
02:11preparing to embark on a big move back to the UK after years living overseas
02:20both Nick and I are avid golfers and we're at our golf club today the L's playing in 44 degree heat and 90% humidity
02:32recently retired Nicola and her tunnelling engineer husband Nick had been living in Dubai for 15 years
02:41when they enlisted our help to find them a country home on England's south coast closer to their families
02:47when somebody asked me the other day what's the first thing you're going to do when you get back
02:51to the UK and I said well it's going to take these two for a walk and then go into a pub I think I'm
02:56nothing better than doing that they had already sold their three-bedroom semi-detached property
03:01complete with outdoor pool and had their heart set on returning home to Britain that would be really
03:09really nice to be able to have somewhere properly in the country where you can walk out of the back door
03:14or the front door be in the fields be in the woods and enjoy everything that Britain has to offer the
03:22couple wanted a detached character home with three bedrooms and an open-plan kitchen with doors to a
03:29garden preferably one large enough to house a swimming pool avid golfers they hope to find a local
03:36club nearby happy with the project their budget was eight hundred thousand pounds with a further two
03:42hundred thousand pounds set aside for renovations we kicked off our tour of West Sussex in the hamlet of
03:51ifold just a ten minute drive from Nick's mother in the village of Billingshurst sitting on a quiet
03:57private road I thought the house was an absolute gem and the couple's first impressions suggested they did
04:04too wow that is cute to be honest with you this is actually way above what we imagined that we would
04:12actually be able to look at excellent can't wait to get in we were off to a flying start around 300
04:19years old the period cottage was one of the original lodge houses on the ifold estate and cherry on the cake
04:26the nearest golf course was just two miles away we began the tour in the main reception room wow
04:33definitely got character love the beams yes and the fireplace that is gorgeous commercial sitting here
04:40in winter time oh yeah so cozy hmm but quite spacious I have to say the little it's quite light
04:47I know they can't wait to see the rest of it with the couple itching to see more we continued onto the
04:53kitchen I'm hoping this size works oh wow yes a great view of the garden it's like a park back there
05:03that's a lovely kid and great character as well well the current owners always had plans to build
05:09out the back but I think you'd be happy to start like this anyway absolutely it's fantastic it's really
05:14stunning as it is a door at the far end of the kitchen led to a dining room upstairs there were
05:21three bedrooms to explore starting with the largest it's lovely stunning I'm great views out the window
05:30look at this and the wooden this is what I wanted it was wooden floors as well it had an impressive
05:35ensuite designed with a second door to also service the two further bedrooms at the front
05:41yeah it's very spacious isn't it it is and there's still scope for a little bit of a project as well
05:50yes outside the surrounding land totaled half an acre and included a fenced off veggie plot plus a
05:58detached garden studio this is actually the perfect size garden this is really really nice it's not too big to be manageable and the dust could just run around easily couldn't they
06:09let's talk business how much do you think what's already here would cost you I'm gonna say maybe
06:15eight hundred and fifty thousand pounds okay I think a little bit more I think eight hundred and seventy five thousand pounds
06:25okay Nicola is spot-on it is on the market for eight hundred and seventy five thousand pounds
06:32it was ready to go and within their total budget but Nicola wasn't sold just yet
06:40great house love it I'm also want to see number two or number three for our next stop we ventured to the
06:48hamlet of Maplehurst and next door to the friendly community pub sat the next property a former innkeeper's
06:56house I have to say the the location for this one doesn't feel quite as private it's not private yeah it
07:07wasn't getting the rave reviews of our first house but I was optimistic that what was inside this detached
07:13double-fronted Edwardian home would really appeal I'm wondering if this wow wow this is awesome okay lovely yes the current owner had completely renovated throughout and I sensed that the sociable kitchen would be right up Nicola and next street so I know I sort of was losing you out there little bit reason I was bringing you in because this reminded me a little bit of what you already have in the
07:43in Dubai this is actually much nicer even than what we are moving from so this is very very nice the couple also like the style of the separate living room upstairs the finish was just as exquisite the largest bedroom had a roomy ensuite bathroom which also served via a second door another two bedrooms
08:02the second bedroom was in use as a study and the third was again a double but Nick and Nicola weren't exactly jumping for joy I was hoping the garden would lift their spirits but it was going to need some imagination they had said they wanted a bit of a project though
08:29this outside space is here to test your vision needs a little bit yeah yeah and it's got potential though I mean it's got nice kind of size you could put a pool in and there's enough space for the doggies I'd like the project to be a little bit less intense than you would need to put the vision out here really
08:51particular space shall we price the property here I would say six hundred and seventy five thousand pounds
08:58I'm gonna say seven hundred and fifty thousand pounds it's actually on the market for offers over eight hundred thousand pounds
09:06it might have been within budget but the property just didn't wow them
09:12as lovely as it is I just don't think the location is right absolutely same here I didn't get the same feeling that I got when I first saw house number one
09:27as the Sun set on our first day in Sussex it was clear that Nicola and Nick's hearts were lost to our first property a picture-perfect three centuries old English gem that they could move straight into
09:41but let's not forget they were also willing to get their hands dirty with the project so for our mystery house we went with even more history even more character even more English that anyone with a little bit more work
09:56and the location married countryside with coast situated in the hamlet of North Burstead on the outskirts of the seaside town of Bognor Regis the couple seem to love the quaint setting and the visual appeal of this grade two listed thatched cottage
10:14cute and it's thatched I do know that the insulation properties so actually from a sustainability perspective sustain the thatch is very very good music to my ears and those positive reactions continued as we headed through the front door into a spacious entrance come dining hall
10:36wow lovely fireplace yeah gorgeous fireplace it led through to a room in use as an office but I wanted to show them the huge rear extension I had to bring you straight into this
10:51wow this is not what you expect is it no it's lovely it's a great entertainment area I knew this 18th century house would pleasantly surprise them also down on the ground floor was a characterful living room
11:05with another ingle nook fireplace and a door that led to a staircase to the first floor where there were five bedrooms and a bathroom
11:12I would see us probably converting or merging some of the rooms and making more on suites I think there's only one bathroom
11:22outside a 78 foot garden was ready to be landscaped which stretched down to wait for it a pool house
11:34a pool house oh my gosh with a 30 foot long heated swimming pool
11:41my word I did not expect this up here where would you price it I'm saying let's go eight hundred thousand pounds
11:49okay I'll go a little bit more than Nicola eight twenty five eight hundred and twenty five thousand pounds okay it is on the market for eight hundred and fifty thousand pounds
12:04okay despite their genuine delight at seeing a property with a pool they both felt there was too much work required to make this house perfect for them
12:14so I had shown the couple a real range of properties across West Sussex some requiring more vision than others but truth be told there was a clear front runner and there always had been right from the very start
12:29almost an entire year later I find myself back to where it all began on the peaceful and private lane that leads to the very first property
12:44that I showed Nick and Nicola which can only mean one thing they only went and bought it
12:48well they were captivated by this delightful period cottage from the moment they laid eyes on it and who can blame them I can't wait to see how they've settled in
13:03such a gorgeous house that chimney
13:06hello hello congratulations oh hello welcome I've heard so much about you Sam and Eva lovely thank you very much
13:18welcome come in and have a look come on you two we can
13:24I remember this where you said the floor would suit the dogs I know lovely lovely cool in the summer and
13:36all our furniture fitted in from Dubai so yes of course everything kind of just slotted into place quite nicely
13:42the dining room we had a sideboard that fits in and it's about that space either side it was just amazing how
13:48everything fit so it's yes perfect are you using that dining room such a lovely room
13:53occasionally we do if we have people around for dinner we'll sit in there we had a lovely Christmas in
13:57there all family sitting around there so it was very festivals they've only been in a few months but no
14:05surprises that Nick and Nicola have big ambitions to put their stamp on this place yes there were there
14:13were extension plans weren't there when we were looking around the house they had some plans but what we want
14:19to do is something slightly different so the plan is then to level everything to this side extend it out but then
14:27purpose-built so we can get it sustainable we can get it open plan we can switch the side of the entrance
14:35so you enter here and I heard Nick had semi-retired this sounds like a big new job to me the couple want to
14:43extend at the back of the house to create an open plan kitchen dining living space
14:51so down this way open plan through here all the way to the bifolding doors on the right hand side
14:57will be the kitchen and then like an L shape at the end will be more of a daytime living room
15:03I wasn't expecting this an almost total reconfiguration of the ground floor upstairs the plans are just as grand
15:13so this is our main bedroom so is the gorgeous bathroom staying as part of the renovation no no
15:23that's one of the things that needs to change that's what sold the house you from the bathroom yes that was
15:29one of the things that really sold the house yeah but those steps up and that low door you don't want
15:37to keep crawling into your bathroom I get knocked my head on that door so many times and those steps
15:43it's all a little bit uncomfortable Nick and Nicola are hoping to block off the door from the current main
15:50bedroom and reconfigure the bathroom to create a guest bathroom a main bedroom and an en suite
15:57the old part of the house we're not going to touch oh that's all that is part of the charm yes that
16:07absolutely sold the house to us in the first place and we have to keep for ourselves all the charm and
16:15beauty of this old part having only been in the house a few months and with this huge project on the
16:23cards it's hard to imagine that they've had the time to focus on anything else but they've already
16:28become active members of the community so while Nick practices his golf swing have a look down at your
16:38feet Nicola's taking me to meet some of their new social circle at her local yoga class open your arms
16:45and your arms out wide reach up and perhaps cast your gaze up a little bit
16:52I'm going to be like the mischievous girl in the back at back of the yoga class disturbing everyone
16:58because it's great Emma I know you're one of them Nicola's new friends new mates oh yes here what's the
17:05goss so Nicola and Nick came to one of our social events here in the hall I'm on the residence
17:10association and they are good nights plenty of dancing and drinking and they definitely fit right
17:16in it's got such a good community and this is the heart of it location was always a huge factor in their move
17:24and it sounds like they found a fabulous community close to Nick's family and Nicola's sister is just
17:31an hour away now which means I get to catch up with her today
17:37you don't need a DNA test to tell this is Nicola's sister and one of the reasons that she wanted to move
17:43the only reason yes that's what we're telling everyone the only reason was that just an absolute joy to hear
17:51that she's moving back over the moon yeah did you think she would settle in so quickly
17:56because it's less than a year that we were here in this village showing her that house
18:01amazingly quickly yes it's found some fantastic friends in the lovely village
18:07between project planning parties and new pals Nick's also found the time to rekindle his love
18:16for an old sport
18:21is it safe to come in yes
18:23so this is where you've been hanging out now that you're semi-retired and you've made the move properly
18:28yes one of those places I've been very lucky that one of our neighbours
18:32that we met at one of the social events mentioned he played squash I said that's fantastic I love to play squash
18:40I haven't played for years and he welcomed me down here got me involved and yeah thoroughly enjoying it
18:49can you already see a difference between Dubai Nick and Sussex Nick
18:53oh yeah definitely a lot more relaxed a lot more comfortable in myself
18:59what does it felt like coming back to where you went to school
19:03oh that's been brilliant but what's really nice is that again few people have reached out connections
19:10my old PE teacher from when I was at school for 45 years ago he's connected me to the cricket club old boys
19:22and there's probably 20 guys all of the names I recognize from when I was playing cricket from 11 years up to 19
19:29so yeah right you ready to see some bad squash playing now okay let's go for it you can return these ones
19:39sorry sorry sorry sorry
19:48it sounds like the locals have well and truly embraced Nick and Nicola and vice versa
19:53but I want to find out if the move really was as effortless as it looks
19:58so when I left you nearly a year ago you were going to go back to Dubai and you were going to extend your stay
20:08which would include a second viewing of this property yes and we did and we came to see this property
20:15had another look around
20:17but I said to Nick we cannot put an offer in the first house we see I mean it just sounds ridiculous
20:22so I stayed and then saw another 10 properties
20:25what
20:2610
20:2810 yeah well and there's some beautiful home slightly affected
20:31I was sold as I walked in off the drive
20:33yes you needed to see 12 more houses
20:36I did yes so yes it kind of reassured us that this was the right property
20:40it was on for eight hundred and seventy five thousand pounds if my memory
20:45correct yes so I think we got it for eight hundred and sixty yeah in the end
20:52you say in the end did it take a couple of back and forth conversation yeah there was just a bit of negotiation wasn't there
21:00once you put an offering it sounds like it all moved quite quickly it did unbelievably quickly didn't it
21:06yeah we transferred here beginning of November wasn't it yes and then yeah we moved in once container arrived end of November just all went so smoothly unbelievably smoothly
21:17I know you've only just moved back really a few months ago have you had time to sit down together and go oh my gosh we did it
21:24I know we do that breakfast time ago we own this it's like yes this is ours and it's still unbelievable that it's actually ours
21:32and when you say we've only been here for three months and it doesn't feel like it it actually feels like I've been here forever
21:40for our next country stroll down memory lane we are jumping back to the summer of 2022 when I came property shopping here in Norfolk
21:58with a buyer who wanted her new life to feel like one long continuous holiday it's the dream right
22:05I started coming down to Norfolk well literally when I was in my mom's tummy when my dad bought a place in Bacton
22:13and over the years grew of coming to visit I just absolutely fell in love with the place it's got so many happy memories for me
22:20with every passing holiday in the county Lou began to question why she was ever living anywhere else
22:26that's why I feel like it would be just so amazing to be able to just wake up every day and feel like you're on holiday
22:32I know you still have work to do but I just think it just feels too much like home to ignore anymore
22:38so Lou had ambitions to leave Cambridgeshire but didn't plan to slow down
22:44I couldn't use this opportunity to potentially start the holiday let business which I've always dreamt of doing
22:51she was moving alone but joining her in her search was her partner of 18 months Steve
22:57Ever since I've known her she's always talked about her ambition to move to Norfolk
23:01and I can really see myself moving to Norfolk at some point in the future
23:05She's also very good at DIY
23:08She's a good person to have along
23:10Lou was looking for a character property ideally detached with at least two bedrooms
23:17she wanted a minimum of half an acre of land and holiday let potential
23:23armed with a budget of £650,000 she could stretch to £700,000 for the perfect home
23:33Our search began in the village of Suffield just a 20 minute drive from Bacton Beach
23:39here we are house number one lovely looks very exciting beautiful front door and a nice front garden
23:47it was a strong start the semi-detached cottage dated back to the 18th century
23:53but we started our viewing in a much newer extension built in 2007 from green oak with a copper roof
24:00it had its own front door and entrance hall
24:03oh my goodness
24:09I love all the wood as well
24:11they've done it really nicely
24:13you'll want to keep this for yourself
24:15yeah
24:16but I think this could make lovely guest accommodation
24:20definitely
24:21and there's a bathroom just there as well at the shower room
24:23so actually you really can have it as a self-contained bit
24:28I could tell Lou was keen and I hoped she felt the same about the older part of the property
24:34there's another front door
24:35yeah
24:36this is a dining room but you could have it as a sitting room or hallway
24:40depending on how you use the space
24:42yeah
24:43and then this comes into what would be your kitchen
24:45I think another dining area anyway
24:47yes exactly
24:48that looks out onto the garden
24:51yeah
24:52that's lovely
24:53it's nice
24:57there was a further reception room with feature fireplace
25:00flowing through to the main entrance hall
25:03where a staircase led to a contemporary family bathroom
25:06with a separate bath and shower
25:08serving three double bedrooms
25:11we headed straight for the largest
25:13they are lovely room
25:17really like so many features everywhere
25:20love the old beams as well
25:21no I just love the color scheme
25:23the way they've done it out is actually very similar to my choice anyway
25:26so not too much work to do
25:28feels really good actually
25:29I'm liking this this place a lot
25:31it takes pretty much all my boxes so far
25:34but there was a compromise with this property
25:37Lou wanted half an acre
25:38and the garden was about a quarter of an acre
25:41but it did have a second holiday let option
25:47oh wow
25:49goodness me
25:50another business
25:51it's not too shabby is it
25:52it's gorgeous
25:54and another business opportunity
25:55or Steve's place
25:57yeah
25:58it's too good for Steve
25:59isn't it
26:00absolutely
26:02the house
26:03has a guide price
26:04of 595,000 pounds
26:08ooh
26:10interesting
26:12which is great
26:13that's music to my ears
26:15there were plenty of positives at my first offering
26:18but still room for improvement
26:22I'm really excited having seen this
26:24if there's anything that probably this property may be lacking a bit for me
26:27it's probably space in the garden
26:29I would love to have that extra bit of space
26:31the next stop was the village of Great Wichingham
26:36a part of Norfolk that Lou knew less well
26:39but this property had ready-made business potential
26:42which is where we started the tour
26:46so this is something I think that would be lovely
26:49for guests
26:50very pretty
26:51looks lovely
26:52really self-contained and not directly on the doorstep of the main property
26:55which is nice with its own parking
26:56it's very open
26:57yeah there's lots of space here
26:59yeah
27:00I thought this lodge would make a superb holiday let
27:03with its cosy double bedroom en suite and open plan living room
27:08ooh
27:09that's lovely
27:10it's cute isn't it
27:11oh that's so sweet
27:12yeah
27:13it's got a nice layout isn't it
27:14yeah
27:15it's got a nice feel to it
27:16you want to live with it don't you?
27:18well it could be your first guest
27:21there was even more potential in the five bed main house
27:25where we headed next
27:26entering via the back and straight into the kitchen
27:31I think styling wise this space
27:34is quite similar
27:36to that potential holiday let
27:37it is isn't it
27:38yeah
27:39it's lovely actually
27:40it all looks quite new
27:42next to this was a large living and dining room
27:45sitting in the oldest part
27:47thought to date back to the early 1800s
27:50the owner has looked into renting this house out
27:55oh okay
27:56and in peak time
27:57yeah
27:58he says you could get around two and a half thousand pounds a week
28:01really?
28:02gosh
28:03now think about ten grand over a month in the summer
28:06yeah
28:07why would you not do that in many ways?
28:08why would you not do that?
28:09exactly and in the summer to live in that lovely cabin
28:11it's a really good idea gosh I hadn't thought of that
28:13but yeah I would have no problem living over there at all
28:19downstairs there was an ensuite double
28:22then the remaining four bedrooms upstairs were all recently refurbished
28:27and a contemporary family bathroom served three of them
28:31the fifth and final bedroom was the biggest
28:34wow
28:38gosh
28:39that's a room and a half isn't it?
28:41it's like a show home isn't it?
28:42it really is
28:44once again I succeeded in pleasantly surprising Lou and Steve
28:48when I revealed that all of it was on the market for offers over £640,000
28:54giving Lou a lot to think about
28:56it's a difficult one because the business side of it is really enticing
29:01but then I think am I doing what I've done with all my last few houses
29:04I've moved about five times in the last ten years
29:06and would this then end up being another maybe just a few years and then move again?
29:19after our first two properties I felt confident I'd shown Lou two genuine contenders
29:25each with ready to go holiday let possibilities
29:28but for our mystery house well it was a case of if you build it they will come
29:35we hopped in the car and headed to the village of Beatley
29:38where the mystery house offered a good old chunk of Norfolk bricks and mortar
29:43but an even bigger slice of Norfolk terrain
29:47welcome thank you to the mystery house which as you can tell used to be stables
29:51yeah all of this all of this
29:54perfect can't wait to see inside
29:58the building dated back to the mid-1800s and the present owners had lived there for more than 20 years
30:04now I'm wondering if this is more the rural idyll that you had in mind
30:10oh yes oh my goodness there's so much character here
30:13and this is just the carport area
30:15I know
30:16can you imagine?
30:17that's enough
30:19at the other end of the carports were several outbuildings that could be converted
30:23subject of course to planning permission
30:25but we started our viewing in the main house
30:28oh it's got a lovely feel isn't it?
30:32it's a nice kitchen
30:33yeah it's proper country kitchen isn't it?
30:35it's just got so much character
30:37so many lovely features
30:39it's this really quiet here as well
30:41nice views
30:42love this gorgeous wood as well
30:45beautiful
30:47the kitchen led to a large reception room and a charming sunroom
30:51with views straight out across the generous garden
30:55that is a view and a half isn't it?
30:58how perfect would this be for dogs as well?
31:00it'd be great
31:01it's great
31:02the sunroom led to an inner hallway
31:05off which was a good sized double bedroom
31:08a family bathroom with separate bath and shower
31:11and another large double that overlooked the rear garden
31:15great view
31:16yeah beams and a view
31:19but it was the outside I was really excited about
31:22where not one but two acres of land awaited
31:27you've got outbuildings that you can do something with
31:30yurts or tents or
31:33shepherds huts you could do anything you wanted with this land
31:37yeah I mean I can see a massive amount of potential here
31:41it is currently on the market for 550,000 pounds
31:47it's just been reduced
31:48really?
31:49yes
31:50coming in at 100,000 pounds under budget
31:54the mystery house was another great option
31:57and left Lou with some big decisions
31:59we had presented Lou and Steve with three very different homes
32:05introducing some different areas across the county
32:08each property was packed full of potential for a holiday business
32:12offering variations on the lifestyle Lou could experience once relocating to Norfolk
32:18but in the end
32:21sadly none of our selection gave her the feeling she was searching for
32:29after we left her Lou continued her Norfolk property search and found her dream home eventually
32:35or rather what would be her dream home because in typical Lou style
32:40she went for a bit of a project and after months of living amongst the dust and the dirt
32:45she has finished and the result takes your breath away
32:50in the autumn of 2023 over a year after I first met Lou
32:57she bought this breathtaking three-bedroom cottage in the village of East Beckham
33:03just half an hour's drive from her father in Bacton
33:07in the village of East Beckham
33:10well hello
33:12hello
33:13is that you shadow knocking?
33:14yes
33:15how are you?
33:16I'm good
33:17thank you
33:18it's nice to see you
33:19hello
33:20see you again
33:21welcome
33:22do you live on a film set?
33:24no
33:25no
33:26but it's a nice little slice of the countryside isn't it
33:30honestly I don't know what to say
33:32I'm looking around and every little detail is gorgeous
33:36that's the reaction you wanted
33:38yeah
33:39Steve I feel like that's the reaction you wanted
33:42I know how much hard work has gone in
33:45yes there has been a bit of blood sweat and tears
33:47show me around show me around
33:49come on through
33:50oh this is for you by the way
33:52oh thank you
33:53such as your pet plant
33:54thank you so much
33:55that's lovely
33:56blood sweat and tears
33:59and I thought Lou was looking for that relaxing holiday feeling
34:03I am intrigued
34:09this is stunning
34:11welcome to the lounge
34:13this detail on the wall
34:16where you can see the brick
34:18yes
34:19it seemed a shame to cover it all up
34:20it was
34:21there were so many
34:22lovely old
34:23parts to the house
34:24that I really wanted to embrace and show off
34:27what did the house look like
34:29because I hear it's a project
34:30your face says it was a project
34:32it was a project
34:33it was
34:34it hadn't been lived in for years
34:35I stripped everything
34:36a lot of the walls needed damp proofing
34:38so literally all the walls in here had to come off
34:41and also the beams were quite dark
34:43so that made it quite oppressive
34:44so I lightened up the beams
34:46and then decorating and new carpets and things really
34:49how soon after seeing the house did you see the potential
34:53that you had the
34:54did you always know your house would look like this
34:56I didn't get that feeling when I first came strangely enough
34:58and it was only when I went away and thought about it
35:00and I saw the potential
35:01and I thought actually this has got everything that I was wanting
35:04oh yes it didn't have as much land
35:06because do you remember I wanted quite a lot of land
35:07yes I remember
35:08you were giving me acres of land
35:12but yeah it's just that thing that you don't know what it is
35:15that's the magic
35:17so it wasn't land she wanted
35:20it was a project all along
35:22well they do say when you know you know
35:25and this was no small project
35:27Lou has completely renovated throughout
35:30creating a cosy snug
35:32a stylish dining room
35:35and a gorgeous new kitchen
35:40oh cute
35:43this had a completely new kitchen
35:46new flooring
35:47but also a new electric fuse box
35:49and everything as well in here
35:50so it was still quite a lot of work
35:53really it sounds like it's just the exterior shell
35:56that has been kept
35:58yeah
35:59if I knew it was going to be like that
36:01I probably would have been a bit more daunted
36:02but I think that I discovered that as I started doing the work
36:05so maybe to your benefit
36:07yeah
36:08so you thought it was a smaller project than it really was
36:11probably yeah
36:12you've done a great job
36:14I get a bit obsessed
36:16as you will vouch for
36:18he's only just reaping the benefits of relaxing at the weekends now
36:22every time he came up it was just exhausting
36:24wasn't it
36:25it'd leave a shell of a man
36:26no matter
36:27upstairs
36:28Lou's elegant style continues through a cosy double bedroom
36:32with exposed beams
36:33a second smaller room
36:35and the principal ensuite bedroom
36:37none of the bedrooms are very large really
36:42but I love the detail on this wall
36:44and to wake up to those lovely beams as well is really nice
36:47it's the view as well
36:48I love the view out of this window
36:49it just is stunning
36:51yeah it's been lovely hasn't it
36:53just to enjoy it
36:54and having friends and family
36:55come and stay
36:56it's been really nice
36:57you've become everyone else's holiday home
36:59yeah that's right
37:00but you said that to me
37:01you wanted the holiday for life
37:03yeah
37:04and that is how it feels honestly
37:06I do wake up excited every morning
37:07just what the day is going to bring
37:09and to be surrounded by everything here
37:12it's just beautiful
37:14Lou has definitely been busy
37:16but it's not all dust sheets and DIY
37:19she fosters and rehomes dogs
37:21which has also been a great way of connecting with people
37:25today her new mate Sheila is stopping by
37:30well Sheila I hear that Lou has made lots of friends already here in Norfolk
37:36yes
37:37yes
37:38she spoils me
37:40she talks for me
37:41you were looking for some company another dog
37:44yes my previous greyhound had died
37:47my husband had died eight years ago now
37:50and um
37:51we'd had rescue dogs all our lives
37:54and I wanted
37:55well I got a
37:56the different to anything rescue or never had before
37:58I know
37:59I never had a hairy one before
38:01no
38:02she cost me more in groomers than I go in hairdressers
38:05and cleaning
38:06yeah
38:07yes I gained a friend
38:09we've done lots of things ever since
38:12while Lou catches up with Sheila
38:14I'm off to find her partner Steve
38:16if he's not busy with his toolkit
38:18I'm genuinely glad I managed to sneak you away before Lou grabbed you for another job
38:26I just feel like that sometimes it must be there they're getting smaller and fewer so it's it's a positive
38:33do you think Lou has changed certainly since the workers finished but since moving here to Norfolk
38:39and finally making Norfolk her home
38:43I wouldn't say she's necessarily changed as a person
38:46she's definitely more content
38:48she always was a bit frustrated she couldn't put more effort and energy into dog rescue
38:52she always wanted to spend more time walking and exploring and seeing friends and having time for that
38:58and she does have that here and she's making loads of new friends which is great
39:02the time and love that is going into this property is obvious
39:06and Lou seems to have smoothly settled into country life
39:10but there's one thing I am wondering
39:12Lou initially wanted a holiday let business
39:15and I don't see any sign of that around here
39:18so I'm sitting down with the couple to hear the full story
39:24being close to Bacton was
39:26was really important
39:27the central thing for you
39:28it was
39:29because you were moving
39:30to be near a dad as well
39:31to be closer to your dad
39:32yeah
39:33but he sadly passed three months after getting here
39:35which was unexpected and very sad
39:38I'm so sorry
39:39yeah thank you
39:40but he did get to see the property and he did make it on the stairs to see all of it
39:44which was lovely and he was really supportive about it
39:47but I've since moved my mum up here as well
39:49so she's now ten minutes down the road which is great to have her nearby
39:53and then with dad's passing he left the bungalow at Bacton for me to look after
40:00so I've been doing that and renovating that slightly as well
40:04and it's been great because again friends and family have been able to use that still too
40:09so I think he'd be pleased with how that stand out as well
40:12so you are running the holiday let business
40:14it's just not a business
40:15yeah
40:16so the holiday let business actually
40:18no
40:19you're not going to pursue that
40:20no
40:21no it's sort of busy
40:22I don't know where the days go
40:23but it's been busy enough with the renovation and with dad's very big moving mum up here
40:28and then the dog stuff
40:30your budget was with me was what up to
40:33I think it's $6.50
40:35do you mind me asking how much you ended up getting this for?
40:38yeah I got it for $5.75 in the end
40:40it had been on for about $100,000 more
40:43and then that money I guess has gone on to
40:45it's all gone sunk straight in
40:47yes very quickly evaporated
40:49because the survey uncovered so much
40:51and the foam in the roof which was the biggest problem
40:53so I knew I'd have to take the whole roof off
40:55it also needed a new cesspit as well
40:57so that was quite a big expense
40:59Lou now that you've been there done that
41:02you're the perfect person to give advice to someone who's thinking about this
41:06they want to move
41:07yeah
41:08the amount of people that say it to me
41:09yeah
41:10but always put it off
41:11I know
41:12what would you say
41:13so many people procrastinate
41:14and I just think genuinely life can be very short
41:17and you'll just regret it
41:18I regret not doing it sooner
41:19and I just think you've got to take that chance
41:22because you'll never know and you'll always wonder
41:24and people say what if it goes wrong
41:26but what if it goes right
41:27I couldn't agree more
41:30what a life Lou is carving out for herself here
41:33one DIY project at a time
41:36so I suppose it's only fair
41:37I roll up my sleeves and get stuck in before I go
41:42I hear you do this with everyone
41:44everyone who visits
41:45yes they have a job
41:46they have to earn their cup of tea
41:47exactly
41:48I've got five of these gates
41:49is that alright before you go?
41:50yeah
41:51right
41:52are you done now with the renovations?
41:54erm there's a couple of little bits
41:57not here
41:58oh right
41:59here you can carry on
42:00yeah
42:01in terms of moving again
42:03no
42:04I think this is a forever home here now
42:06I can't quite believe it
42:07I do have to pinch myself sometimes
42:08and think
42:09that I don't have to go home this time
42:11I am home
42:12and that's a really lovely feeling
42:14there is no right or wrong way to make a house your own
42:23whether like Nicola and Nick
42:25you choose a property that's ready to move into
42:27and then over time put your own stamp on it
42:30or like Lou
42:31you pick a project that needs immediate love and attention
42:34whichever path you choose
42:36I think the result is always the same
42:39a house to call your own
42:40because at the end of the day
42:42it isn't just about the bricks and mortar
42:44it's about the life you build inside
42:48if you also dream of escaping to the country
42:51in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland
42:54and would like our help
42:55why not apply online at bbc.co.uk forward slash take part
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