Our new house is at the end of an unmade road, off a side road that is traversed only by residents. It's nearly impossible to find the house without explicit directions, and even then so far every one who has come here has gotten lost on the way. The life we are living is about as rural southern England as it gets.

And I can't believe it. My whole life I've been yearning for the city life, achieving it for most of my adulthood. I never wanted to know my neighbors because I figured a flat meant that I would never need to know such information. I despaired even of anything smacking of the suburbs, I wanted to be in an area where the shops were open 24 hours and the bars were within walking distance. I wanted to be near my favorite funky boho shop. I deplored living anywhere but the metropolis of many lights. I wanted to be in the center of all of the action.

But now this. There isn't even a shop within walking distance, and none of them are open 24 hours, but my favorite shop? A family-run nursery with the healthiest looking plants I've ever seen. There is a pub in our neighborhood, and it sits opposite a smooth cricket green, framed by a duck pond and a clubhouse from the late 1700's. A milk truck brings deliveries and DHL needs GPS just to find our street. The only thing I'm a center of here is a field with bluebells popping up.

The theme song to Green Acres runs through my head all the time, particularly the part where Zsa Zsa chastises Darling I love you but give me Park Avenue.

I live in the countryside.

And I can't believe how much I love it.

We remark about it all the time-in the garden with me picking weeds, him soldering pipes, we can't believe how peaceful it all is. Laying in our bed with our heads under the windows, we revel in it. Looking out over the neighboring fields, we both sigh just a little bit.

Turns out rural (or, considering the fact that we live within an hour of London, I guess this is semi-rural) suits this girl just fine.

One of the best parts of the day is walking Gorby. When we have a lazy morning we tend to take the young lad for a long walk through a neighboring farm. A perk that I love about England is that they have footpaths everywhere-you have walking access on these paths and luckily they are prevalent.

The walk to the farm takes us under massive pylons that, in the morning, hum and zimmer with people waking up, and crackle with the power. The road is quiet, and we pass lush green fields spotted with horses. The farm has real signs of spring-everywhere you look there are signs of the babies.

He's just finished filming the next release of Babe.

Follow us! Follow us! We're headed for the new world!

If this kid doesn't make your ovaries* throb, then you are heartless. Heartless!

This character is called Houdini, and he's a goose gone wrong. He's about the ugliest creature I've ever seen, but he does like himself a nice Milk Bone. He can't honk, bark, or fly (due to a badly broken wing that healed incorrectly) so the farmer has taken him in and treats him as a cherished pet. The farmer's my kind of people.

The farm is also stocked with these creatures, called Rheas. I want to ride one, but am aware they can kick my ass.

Gorby is afraid of them, and barks at them.

Gorby is also afraid of sheep, cows, horses and goats so...well, what can I say.

What Gorby does like is a run through the woods.

And what we like is being there with him.

-H.

*unless you're a guy, then it's ok if your ovaries aren't throbbing.

PS-And despite the new city loving, I'm not going to wear a pair of fucking overalls, or walk around with hay between my teeth. I hate hay. Hay itches.

Posted by: Everydaystranger at 05:55 AM | Comments (14) | Add Comment
Post contains 692 words, total size 5 kb.

1 What joyful photos!! Esp the ones of Gorby. Very very happy for you.

Posted by: Mia at April 18, 2006 06:29 AM (hNcyt)

2 You are very funny! Gorby looks great in full swing, it is very obvious he loves his new life too. Enjoy...

Posted by: Karen (Australia) at April 18, 2006 06:47 AM (PEzRO)

3 That duck there is a Muscovy duck. They are all over the place in South Florida - and they are ugly, except when they're babies. Who knew they were in England, too? I thought they just lived here. Muscovy ducks hiss - they don't quack. It is nice that the farmer is kind to him. Not every creature can be lovely....

Posted by: suze at April 18, 2006 10:44 AM (k1Y5v)

4 I deplored living anywhere but the metropolis of many lights. I wanted to be in the center of all of the action. that's how my husband is right now. I'm wearing him down, but he's a tough cookie. I'm so ready to get the hell out of Houston and move somewhere that we can actually afford a HOUSE. I'm so over living in an apartment. I'm tired of shitty, disrespectful neighbors, I'm tired of not having a yard, and I miss our nephew that we only get to see once every month or less. it sucks. I'm nto cut out for big city living. it's really wearing on my patience.

Posted by: girl at April 18, 2006 01:08 PM (HQuHV)

5 It's wonderful to read your happiness. Thank you so much for sharing.

Posted by: Lisa at April 18, 2006 01:19 PM (ELUjU)

6 Oh don't get me wrong, Suze-Houdini IS ugly. But he's so ugly he's careening back towards cute. You know, like "so ugly he's attractive", which is the premise Sandra Bernhardt works off of I think. I like ugly animals (except Shar-Peis. There's something fundamentally wrong with those things.)

Posted by: Helen at April 18, 2006 03:15 PM (JAkLK)

7 Im so glad you're happy! May spring bring you fertility of your own.

Posted by: That Girl at April 18, 2006 03:23 PM (QzfsY)

8 You forgot to take a picture of the telephone pole you use to call me.

Posted by: statia at April 18, 2006 04:20 PM (NsnoE)

9 You know, like "so ugly he's attractive", which is the premise Sandra Bernhardt works off of I think. LMAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!! ZING! POW! Good one, hon. Those pictures are absolutely wonderful. I especially love the action shots of Gorby. That is ONE HAPPY DAWG. xoxo P.S. To continue the theme, the pig should be named Arnold. Arnold Ziffel. *blink* It's a massive load of crap I've stored in this brain, instead of theorems and equations. Why else would I remember the PIG'S NAME ON GREEN ACRES?! *siiiigh*

Posted by: Margi at April 18, 2006 04:44 PM (BRtaN)

10 I'm with you. We lived out in the country for three years and it was so awesome. Gorby is so freakin' cute!

Posted by: caltechgirl at April 18, 2006 05:49 PM (/vgMZ)

11 Beautiful, beautiful dog.

Posted by: B. Durbin at April 18, 2006 05:55 PM (tie24)

12 "But I am the only gaaaay in this town!"

Posted by: Sir Henry at April 18, 2006 06:45 PM (19Fw6)

13 We live out in the boonies as well, and for the most part I wouldn't trade it for anything. Loads of open space and animals and trees. Sometimes I wish the grocery store wasn't a 20 minute drive away, but you can't have it both ways!

Posted by: Donna at April 18, 2006 07:15 PM (Aanzg)

14 I can't believe nobody has yet pointed out that the kid goat looks pretty much like Gorby's cross-bred brother! Muscovy ducks are apparently very tasty - even more bonus points to the farmer who keeps him as a pet instead of writing him off (and into a recipe). That first shot of Gorby is the word ecstatic personified; considering where you've brought him from, no wonder! Paul

Posted by: Light & Dark at April 19, 2006 02:59 AM (M9GWX)

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