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Consider yourself well in

April 28, 2006 · Posted by staffFerrari
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We`re well enough in to this blog to have learned a bit about each other but I`d like to know even more.Ferrari brings us all together & photo #1 is of the first Y&F baby. Alix & Sarah`s little Samuel.Seems he has all the charm of his Mum & cheek of his Dad!  Just for once on this blog, no talk of Ferrari or F1 – let`s talk of us. To get the ball rolling, I`ll tell you a little about where I live. Our parish (on the coast of one of the UK`s National Parks) is just over 1570 acres in size.In 1821 the population hit a high of 130. It`s down to about 40 now. Sheep probably outnumber humans 100-1 so there are plenty to count – should be no trouble getting to sleep here. Unless, that is, it`s April – lambing.April is renowned as the month we all stop talking to our neighbours ….. self-preservation. If you`ve been up most of the night checking four-legged mothers-to-be that have an amazing habit of going belly-up at the slightest opportunity then you probably wouldn`t be at your most sociable either. It brings a whole new meaning to the old saying “Ne`er cast a clout till May be out”. Luckily we don`t have sheep ourselves but we don`t want to be on the wrong end of the clout – so we keep our heads down with the rest & wait for the all clear. A traveller passing through in 1832 wrote "This sequestered village, reached by rugged & precipitous roads, not to be traversed except on horse, donkey or on foot, and not without a guide, while the thinly scattered and wild looking population suggest the idea of a foreign country - when gained the place seems to be seated in the wildest solitude."Not changed much then – particularly the odd looking population.Sounds like it scared him but then, until 5 years before, this was the haunt of a centuries old smuggling band (I`ll tell you about it sometime, but not today) & strangers were, understandably, looked on with suspicion. Living here is not to everyones` taste – too isolated for some – although we`re only half an hour or so drive from most of the action. If, like us, you love natural beauty & tranquility, it`s hard to beat, though. They say you need to have lived here for 30 years or 3 generations to become a true local. Next year will be our 20th year so, while still not true locals, we have been told we can consider ourselves well in. Do you live in the countryside, a town, a city or by the coast & what is it like there?

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5 responses so far


  • Tuesday, 24 Feb 2009 10:40 by
    Well Ann I live in a town called Ísafjörður in Iceland (on the north west fjords slightly North of 66°), here live about 3200 people but even so everyone knows everyone. Ísafjörður is a fishermanstown and almost everybody is working with or around the fishing industry. Here it only takes about 6 years to become local, so I qualify as one after 16 years. It¿s really nice here surrounded by mountains a bit of snow over the 7-8 months of winter, but wery often calm wind and good weather specially in the autumn.
  • Tuesday, 24 Feb 2009 10:40 by
    A typical English countryside then ha Ann? It simply sounds beautiful; a place where time is not of utmost significance. And as you've said, where solitude and nature's beauty is abundant. I hope places like these remain unspoilt, untouched by ravenous hands urbanization. A place where you could lost , and a place where i wouldnt mind getting lost! .......and where you dont want to be found either. In sharp contrast, im slam bam in the middle of city. Bangalore, the state capital - a cosmopolis, a mix of people national an international backgrounds, cultures & traditions. A visitor from anywhere would never feel left out. Living here you'ed have to be trippin on a drug called "IT" cause this place is "High" on Hi Tech.....any tech. Talking about change, in the past 10 years there has been an unrecognisable transformation. Change is the only constant, and if you hate change you wouldnt like it here. Ofcourse if you wanna break, the city has the most and the best pubs and night clubs in the country. Located at about 1000 mtrs above sea level it has one the best climates year round; you can experience a typical English summer kinda weather. Known as the "garden city" for its obvious green, its now moved on to be called various other things*roll eyes* Cute lil' fella, that Samuel is. Doesnt he know he's on camera!
  • Tuesday, 24 Feb 2009 10:40 by
    OOOO Ann , what a sea! I live, and i'm born in Roma. The eternal city. I travelled a lot in my life and i also live for five years near Torino (Turin), but for romans our city is" the city". I live and work in a new zone of the city, not in the center. We always think that here is the best city in Italy in particoular for the weather, but after last ten years changed in bad. After we have alwas warm weather, now only tropical. Much rain, much wind, much cool. I love my city, in particular the center. Rich of story, strangers, famous shops (Ferrari Store), monuments... Thers only a particoular wrong: too traffic. The city have 2,5 millions of people who really live here but diuring the day arrive to 6 million. So you understand waht kind of caos is. But if you like the city you may accept this. How not spent words also for Vaticans the Pope town, the city in the city. Is really important for the businnes and for religion. If you are not cattolic but you are romans you have a particoular feeling with the Pope and S. Petre's. Somthing special who only our city leaves in the mind of people.
  • Tuesday, 24 Feb 2009 10:40 by
    Brilliant photographs, Ann. None from here I'm afraid although with a bit of googleing you can get an idea of the district. I live on the south coast, not so far from you in miles but light years in terms of quality. The benefits out weight the drawbacks for me. The victorians built wonderful promenades so that you can walk by the sea, Brighton, Hove, Portsmouth, Bournemouth. The south downs shelter us from the north and are very picturesque, the weather is temperate and there is lots to see and do. Lots of theatres, museums, follies. The Royal Pavilion at Brighton... I mean what was he on? We have a roman palace at Fishbourne, fossils at Lyme regis, relics at the Goodwood Revival meeting [sorry, I had to get that one in] Go and see the navy and the Mary Rose at Portsmouth, the biggest cruise liner in Southampton yesterday. I'm starting to sound like a tourist guide! I've lived all over country and although this move was because of extenuating circumstances, I have to say that it's not such a bad place to live. It seems from the other posts that home is where the heart is and the trick is, of course is to work out where that is! Keep up the goos work. W
  • Tuesday, 24 Feb 2009 10:40 by
    I forgot to mention...... your wise old saying about not casting clouts, It means don't take any clothes off before the blossom of the hawthorn tree is out. Usually mid to late April in the south. Although not hitting people until June is more interesting! I don't think my quality comment reads how I intended. What I ment was, you have the quality, fresh air, no people etc but I have the quantity. lots of people and lots of everything else, good or bad.

 

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