WELCOME TO BIDDYVILLE

Well here we are.  Let me introduce you to the new neighbourhood.  Our hobbit hole is at the bottom of a cul-de-sac of nice little bungalows with manicured gardens and large driveways.  Unlike traditional street numbering, there are no odds or evens here.  Each house is numerically ordered beginning and ending where the cul-de-sac meets the main road.  It’s a small cul-de-sac and we’re in a bottom corner of the turning circle.

View from our front driveway of the cul-de-sac

We made a point of introducing ourselves to the neighbours (at a safe distance) most of whom are called Ann which makes it easy to remember who they all are as I’m useless with names.  (If in doubt, just shout Ann and hope for the best).  One of them described the place as ‘God’s Waiting Room’ and with most residents being over retirement age it’s not difficult to see why.  I guess that makes us young whippersnappers in comparison.  The local busybody neighbours tentatively asked if we were ‘party people’ and looked secretly relieved when we said no.  At this point I thought it polite not to mention my preference for satanic rock music especially as the neighbour attached to our semi is an ex-priest’s wife.  She could have me excommunicated!

Our new house is a dinky semi-detached chalet bungalow with a garage, driveway and front garden large enough to be converted into a second parking space which is certainly something to consider for the future.  It’s a cosy little place with 2 bedrooms upstairs, a lovely spacious lounge/diner, kitchen large enough for baking and manageable back garden that has scope for a bit of landscaping. A perfect little retirement home.

 

Front garden - possible extra driveway?

Front of house

The previous owners (now deceased) lived here for 46 years.  Not surprising as it’s very peaceful, conveniently located for town (20 min walk) and everyone we’ve met so far has been very nice.  I get a real sense of community which I guess will be a welcome change although being a bit of a Grinch getting in with the neighbours is not something that will come easy. 

All sounds perfectly idyllic so far but get this, the house basically needs gutting throughout.  Built around the late 50s/60s, it’s totally lacking in those character features you take for granted such as ornate skirting, architraves and old fireplaces.  The place is a woodchip temple.  Every room is papered in the stuff including the ceilings and everyone knows what a bugger it is to strip painted woodchip paper.  Ugh!

 

Main bedroom with camp beds

View of back garden from lounge patio doors

Lounge

Lounge/diner

The kitchen is the room I most want to take a sledgehammer to.  The floor is covered in a patterned lino you wouldn’t line a coffin in and I can’t wait to chisel off the hideous ceramic wall tiles.  I haven’t seen formica units like these since the 70s.  Definitely a rip out and start again job.

Retro kitchen - it's just got to go

Vintage formica units

Just look at those awful wall tiles

With matching hideous lino

There’s no doubt the DIY to do list will keep us going well into the next century so no shortage of blogging updates on how we’re going to transform the place from biddy bungalow to perfect palace.