unfulfilled dreams

[ramtops]

I have a number of as yet unrealised ambitions in my life - some I might manage one day, others are pretty much unattainable.

one of them is to live on the west coast of Ireland - Galway or Mayo or Cork or Donegal. Anywhere would do. It's both wild and quiet there - few people (but they are friendly and welcoming), majestic scenery, and wild weather. Atlantic views and Atlantic storms. Wonderful. We *might* manage to live there one day, when they get broadband rolled out to rural Ireland, and we've worked out a way to transport the Tribe (currently a trebuchet looks favourite).

another dream is to live in something that didn't start its life as a house - so a barn, a windmill, a school, a church ... This is less likely, given the way propery prices are going, but hey ho.

last night, we caught up with this week's Grand Designs, which was about the conversion of a ruined church in County Mayo. I wouldn't necessarily have done what they did with it, but oh - how I wish I could have the opportunity. perlmonger and I practically wept with envy.

Comments

[sheepthief.livejournal.com]

I'd just like a house! Any house!

It's horrific that one of my early jobs was as an interior designer and for wealthy clients too - my tastes are so far removed from my means that there's just no point in even starting!

[thewingedteapot.livejournal.com]

Think of the programme as a useful guide to what you will do one day - property available, planning guide, building problems etc.
And you will do it one day.

[tanais.livejournal.com]

we were going to buy a welsh cottage 5 years ago but the Welsh can't stand me and In the end I felt the form factor for the welsh capel we had made an offer on would have been unsuitable. So I am glad it fell through.

In the end we decided geography was less important but it had to fit broad requirements.

no street lights
rural location
no roads or cars so the dogs can roam freely
land for horses
stables
no less than a couple of acres of land
Own Water supply
CHEAP

I'd certainly move to Galway and/or nearby Connemara. But lack of a needed location made it quite hard but we found our place in a magazine called "In the Sticks". For properties off the beaten path. I was even about to go down the straw bale home route -- glad I didn't -- this is fine.

Our Scottish crofters cottage is easier it doesn't feel like less of a compromise and there is plenty still to sort out. Its a challenge and one we took slowly... its not less fun and its actually got a 26-foot x 19 foot living room large enough to play throw the sock for Galen (who is now Miniature shetland sized).

My point is It took me many years of dreaming, planning, and getting to the point where we could do it, but it can be done and believe me if I can do it, then anyone can. What I doubt these TV shows tell you... and don't be surprised if it happens to you... is the change of lifestyle and pace changes you and some things fall by the wayside. I totally lost interest in tech journalism an media stuff in general (to the point where I am bewildered at these newfangled things people fire at me conversationally expecting me to know)... a bugger really I could do with the cash.

[wruf.livejournal.com]

Oh God, I really wanted that place. I just thought it was a crying shame that it's just a holiday home! How could you leave that for a normal house?