So excited for you Sara! The relief that you describe of having something that just requires effort and hard work (not mental gymnastics) really struck me. I think in our online world of digital content and strategy it often feels like we're running circles in an amorphous space without knowing if we're really getting somewhere. There's a solidity to having a task that shows the rewards for your efforts so clearly.
Yes! It was something I didn't realise I was craving until I had it back in my life. Comitting to slow progress and staying the course are powerful actions, but it's human to also want measurable progress. Painting a wall is transformation in a day, and where else can you get that? I don't think we're ever supposed to live only in one camp of problem-solving, you know?
Oh I loved this newsletter, Sara! We are renovating an old Edinburgh tenement at the moment and though things aren’t as extreme as they sound with you, I totally nodded along with burning the vacuum 😂 I too am finding solace in the satisfaction gained from renovating efforts. Stripping wallpaper is tough and mind-numbing but oddly satisfying! Can’t wait to see what you do with the place and to follow along. Xxx
Ah Rosie! It's good to hear from someone else deep in the trenches of prior owner's interior decor decisions 😂 We should have a ceramonial vacuum-cleaning pyre ceremony when our houses are eventually clean enough to deserve a new one!
Oh my god, I LIVED this in Normandy for a year, genuinely thought that watching Grand Designs and Escape to The Chateau meant I would be able to renovate my cottage whilst also coaching and starting a new business 🤣 one break up later and me and the dog returned to Spain to recalibrate in June.... but last night I watched a leetle episode of Escape To The Chateau and opened up a new Moleskine to start sketching out the floor plans, properly this time and with a budget, can't wait to follow your journey with this Sara, thanks for sharing!
Bahaha yes! I swear, those shows have a LOT to answer for (and where is Kevin McCloud when you need him?). I remember the episode of Escape to the Chateau where they discovered their plumbing was just pouring into the moat and they... magically fixed it? In the space of an episode? A LIKELY STORY. Would love to see/hear more about those plans you're making. Perhaps we can share ideas? xx
Whilst I can imagine those ghastly few days you have nonetheless made it seem dreamy already with your beautiful pictures. I can’t wait for the retreats!
The power of photography, right? We get to tell the story we wish existed instead of the one that necessarily does 😆. Although all of the above moments are real, so perhaps that's unfair of me. It's just that not every moment is dreamy! Retreats YES, I want it to happen so much! Imagine a group of us there, sipping rose in the meadow, journaling in hammocks, working together at a big wooden table in the sun. It is HAPPENING. Just as soon as I know I can safely invite people without electrocuting them 😂
Literally got a little choked up seeing your bowl of pears on the table. Love following along with this. THANK YOU for taking me along for the journey ❤️
Just loved reading this latest update and seeing your photos. What an amazing and exciting adventure, spiders, bats and all. Looking forward to the next x
Once you've figured out opt-ins, please write a post about it? I need to figure this out too.
Also, you're stoking my dreams of the 500 year-old castle whose A-listed heritage garden has not seen an A-listed gardener in at least a century. (The castle has a roof. And windows in all of the realtor's pictures. Just to reassure you.)
And you clearly NEED that castle. Who doesn't need a castle? I'm trying to picture what this garden looks like... Plus roof *and* windows? It sounds like the height of luxury! 😂
It is so great to read about your French house, finally. I look forward to hearing about your renovation plans as we start our renovation (a little easier an 1990s care home in Oxfordshire). I love the idea of a retreat, to be honest I'd also love to revisit the Pennines, your pictures of the hills bring back so many childhood memories.
It was a small care home, just five bedrooms, and we're changing it back into our family home. We have a proper (but non-working) lift to remove! We moved here about 8 years ago and I thought I'd share about it on my blog or social media, but I don't know whether it will fit any more. Perhaps I should set up another publication on here - I could start with the current holes in the hall floor from a water leak :(
haha! Honestly, even the yucky bits haven't been *so* bad (yet). I'm really glad it's inspiring you though! This is the kind of project/adventure I've always dreamed of but assumed belonged to 'other types of people', so it's amazing to be blowing my own mind and actually doing it!
Loved reading this newsletter Sara! The goal of wanting something different. New problems to solve and a load of discomfort to get through to the pure pleasure of being here feels so soulful and uplifting. Keep the updates coming! Some of this made me laugh out loud & brought me so much joy. Keep going - also the interiors stores, gushing! Cannot wait to find out more about those. Lis x
Hi Sara, I'm loving reading about your French adventure - partly because I've embarked on my own (an old cottage in Normandy). Looking forward to seeing you work your magic on your place. I noticed you're planning on running retreats and wondered if you have any insights into the French visa system for this kind of work? My plan to run writing retreats has hit a bit of a bureaucratic roadblock because I don't have a work visa and even just cooking for guests is considered work... If you have any tips or know of a good visa expert I'd be hugely grateful.
Your photographs and perspective are delightful Sara - I look forward to seeing more of your adventures, textures, and creatures, and I especially love this:
"No intellectual puzzles... just the simple application of human labour and time... I just wanted something different. Fresh challenges; new problems. A fresh take on life."
Thanks for sharing your journey Sara! I literally heard the bats, beetles and other critters as you were describing it int he 40C weather because I was literally in the South of France visiting my in-laws in the country house in July. The houses were converted barns turned into a beautiful country home and it was literally 20 years in the making. I'm rooting for you and your family!
I love what you said about "the simple application of human labour and time"! It seems as though this is something modern life and technology has tried to steal away from lives or convincing us there's more "efficient" ways of spending it. I have never restored a home from the ground up before, but we have moved into long abandoned country houses with previous guests so I can appreciate this journey and the challenges that come with it! Simple labour and time can be a hard but beautiful and thereaputic passage through time... I discovered last year how tedious painting rooms is but also how exciting to watch the process transform a space completely. These photos are so vibrant and alive! I enjoyed reading your words and am excited to follow along with the french house updates, so happy for you and your family!!
So excited for you Sara! The relief that you describe of having something that just requires effort and hard work (not mental gymnastics) really struck me. I think in our online world of digital content and strategy it often feels like we're running circles in an amorphous space without knowing if we're really getting somewhere. There's a solidity to having a task that shows the rewards for your efforts so clearly.
Yes! It was something I didn't realise I was craving until I had it back in my life. Comitting to slow progress and staying the course are powerful actions, but it's human to also want measurable progress. Painting a wall is transformation in a day, and where else can you get that? I don't think we're ever supposed to live only in one camp of problem-solving, you know?
Oh I loved this newsletter, Sara! We are renovating an old Edinburgh tenement at the moment and though things aren’t as extreme as they sound with you, I totally nodded along with burning the vacuum 😂 I too am finding solace in the satisfaction gained from renovating efforts. Stripping wallpaper is tough and mind-numbing but oddly satisfying! Can’t wait to see what you do with the place and to follow along. Xxx
Ah Rosie! It's good to hear from someone else deep in the trenches of prior owner's interior decor decisions 😂 We should have a ceramonial vacuum-cleaning pyre ceremony when our houses are eventually clean enough to deserve a new one!
YES! Haha. I'd definitely be up for that. And they will! Soon...ish...! x
Oh my god, I LIVED this in Normandy for a year, genuinely thought that watching Grand Designs and Escape to The Chateau meant I would be able to renovate my cottage whilst also coaching and starting a new business 🤣 one break up later and me and the dog returned to Spain to recalibrate in June.... but last night I watched a leetle episode of Escape To The Chateau and opened up a new Moleskine to start sketching out the floor plans, properly this time and with a budget, can't wait to follow your journey with this Sara, thanks for sharing!
Bahaha yes! I swear, those shows have a LOT to answer for (and where is Kevin McCloud when you need him?). I remember the episode of Escape to the Chateau where they discovered their plumbing was just pouring into the moat and they... magically fixed it? In the space of an episode? A LIKELY STORY. Would love to see/hear more about those plans you're making. Perhaps we can share ideas? xx
Whilst I can imagine those ghastly few days you have nonetheless made it seem dreamy already with your beautiful pictures. I can’t wait for the retreats!
The power of photography, right? We get to tell the story we wish existed instead of the one that necessarily does 😆. Although all of the above moments are real, so perhaps that's unfair of me. It's just that not every moment is dreamy! Retreats YES, I want it to happen so much! Imagine a group of us there, sipping rose in the meadow, journaling in hammocks, working together at a big wooden table in the sun. It is HAPPENING. Just as soon as I know I can safely invite people without electrocuting them 😂
Literally got a little choked up seeing your bowl of pears on the table. Love following along with this. THANK YOU for taking me along for the journey ❤️
THE PEARS BREANNE! I love that you understand what this means to me!
Just loved reading this latest update and seeing your photos. What an amazing and exciting adventure, spiders, bats and all. Looking forward to the next x
Adventure is definitely the right word! Everything is so new and fresh and different, even the hard bits, and I'm so grateful for it.
Once you've figured out opt-ins, please write a post about it? I need to figure this out too.
Also, you're stoking my dreams of the 500 year-old castle whose A-listed heritage garden has not seen an A-listed gardener in at least a century. (The castle has a roof. And windows in all of the realtor's pictures. Just to reassure you.)
YES, absolutely I will. Will keep you posted!
And you clearly NEED that castle. Who doesn't need a castle? I'm trying to picture what this garden looks like... Plus roof *and* windows? It sounds like the height of luxury! 😂
Oooh can’t wait for next instalment 🙌. Love your ideas for things to come
Thanks Em! It's so nice to know people are following along ❤️
It is so great to read about your French house, finally. I look forward to hearing about your renovation plans as we start our renovation (a little easier an 1990s care home in Oxfordshire). I love the idea of a retreat, to be honest I'd also love to revisit the Pennines, your pictures of the hills bring back so many childhood memories.
Oooh your project sounds fascinating! Are you making it into something new? I'd love to see!
I'm always in need of housesitters here in Yorkshire if you ever want a break away! You just need to be ok with cats... many many cats 🙈
It was a small care home, just five bedrooms, and we're changing it back into our family home. We have a proper (but non-working) lift to remove! We moved here about 8 years ago and I thought I'd share about it on my blog or social media, but I don't know whether it will fit any more. Perhaps I should set up another publication on here - I could start with the current holes in the hall floor from a water leak :(
I can't wait to hear more - I have loved watching every moment of this adventure, and feeling so inspired by it all (even the, um, icky, bits!)
haha! Honestly, even the yucky bits haven't been *so* bad (yet). I'm really glad it's inspiring you though! This is the kind of project/adventure I've always dreamed of but assumed belonged to 'other types of people', so it's amazing to be blowing my own mind and actually doing it!
The electric water shock treatment had me in stiches --- cannot wait for the opportunity for a retreat!
Loved reading this newsletter Sara! The goal of wanting something different. New problems to solve and a load of discomfort to get through to the pure pleasure of being here feels so soulful and uplifting. Keep the updates coming! Some of this made me laugh out loud & brought me so much joy. Keep going - also the interiors stores, gushing! Cannot wait to find out more about those. Lis x
Hi Sara, I'm loving reading about your French adventure - partly because I've embarked on my own (an old cottage in Normandy). Looking forward to seeing you work your magic on your place. I noticed you're planning on running retreats and wondered if you have any insights into the French visa system for this kind of work? My plan to run writing retreats has hit a bit of a bureaucratic roadblock because I don't have a work visa and even just cooking for guests is considered work... If you have any tips or know of a good visa expert I'd be hugely grateful.
Your photographs and perspective are delightful Sara - I look forward to seeing more of your adventures, textures, and creatures, and I especially love this:
"No intellectual puzzles... just the simple application of human labour and time... I just wanted something different. Fresh challenges; new problems. A fresh take on life."
I dream of the same. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks for sharing your journey Sara! I literally heard the bats, beetles and other critters as you were describing it int he 40C weather because I was literally in the South of France visiting my in-laws in the country house in July. The houses were converted barns turned into a beautiful country home and it was literally 20 years in the making. I'm rooting for you and your family!
I love what you said about "the simple application of human labour and time"! It seems as though this is something modern life and technology has tried to steal away from lives or convincing us there's more "efficient" ways of spending it. I have never restored a home from the ground up before, but we have moved into long abandoned country houses with previous guests so I can appreciate this journey and the challenges that come with it! Simple labour and time can be a hard but beautiful and thereaputic passage through time... I discovered last year how tedious painting rooms is but also how exciting to watch the process transform a space completely. These photos are so vibrant and alive! I enjoyed reading your words and am excited to follow along with the french house updates, so happy for you and your family!!