Moving to Cornwall (an in-comers view)
Cornblogger - blogging about Cornwall
15 countryside hazards |
| Posted on Jun 24 2008 >> Back |
Living in the countryside has its hazards.
Quiet country lanes in the summer can turn into snow clogged traps in the winter, whilst cute little deer will munch through your roses in no time!
If you’re prepared you’ll be fine but if not - well don’t say people didn’t warn you!
Here are 15 of the commonest countryside hazards and some tips on how to avoid them.
1. Not knowing what you’re getting yourself into.
Explore the area around your new home on foot or by bike. Cars are okay but foot power is better - you’ll see, hear and smell more and get a much better feel for the landscape.
2. If your new home is near a farm check for smells
Muck or manure spreading is not kind to the nostrils! Pig-poo is the worst but chicken farms smell no better!
3. If you’ll be living near a farm, does the farmer have a cockerel or goats?
If you like an early morning call then fine, if not then living near a farm with a cockerel is no joke! Goats, from personal experience, can bleat and bleat eventually turning you into a screaming zombie!
4. Are there or will there be cows in the fields near your new house?
Picture this - a gentle mist rising off a green grassy meadow whilst the soft morning sunshine warms the backs of some friendly fresians - screeeech! Cut that and picture bellowing bullocks trying to mount each other whilst shouting farmhands drive them into the cattle trucks. Aaargh!
5. Harvest time - what it’s really like!
Harvest time is always busy for farmers and vehicle noise from combine harvesters, tractors, 4?4s and delivery lorries is likely late into the night. Huge vehicles (usually with spikes) such as harvesters, travel at speed around country lanes and will eat you and your motor for breakfast.
6. Flight paths.
Make sure that your rural retreat isn’t directly under a flight path to the local airport. With up and coming regional airports like Newquay, more and more planes will soon be flying over our green and pleasant land!
7. Noisy neighbours.
The worst are those who have huge gardens and use sit-on lawnmowers and petrol strimmers, or owners of larger properties who throw big summer parties and noisy barbies. Of course, if you get an invite you may wish to reconsider this one!
8. Filthy rich city slickers with big toys.
Always check with local residents to see if any of your prospective neighbours has a helipad. It happens and being woken by rotor blades at 5am in the morning as your super rich neighbour goes off to work is no fun.
9. Highways and houses
Always check if there are any plans for a bypass or housing development nearby. So often you see a beautiful historic house a hundred metres from a motorway - how galling that must be!
10. Pubs, clubs and wine bars.
Don’t buy a house near a pub, club or wine bar, or on a road or path that’s used to get there. Noise from traffic and swooning drunks can ruin an otherwise peaceful location.
11. Local services.
Is your new home going to be in a hamlet or village? Does it have a shop, a post office, a bank or even a bus service? If not think twice and consider buying somewhere that does. Being near these essential services does make life easier in the country.
12. Emergency services.
Where is the nearest doctor’s surgery, emergency hospital, dentist or vets? Living down a narrow lane in a quaint farm cottage is no fun when the ambulance can’t get to you in an emergency. Also, if you have to drive miles to get to them it will be very stressful!
13. The school run.
Let’s face it, trundling to school twice a day to drop off and pick up the kids is boring and it goes on for years! The nearer you are to a school the better and if they have a bus service then thank your lucky stars!
14. Traveling to work.
In the countryside there are numerous different hazards to consider. Floods, snow, black-ice, fallen trees, the ‘wrong’ leaves on the railway line and even road collisions with foxes, badgers, horses, cows and deer! Some of these things will probably happen at some time or another and keep you from getting to work on time. Have you ever been stuck behind a flock of sheep? Believe me they aren’t in any hurry!
15. Working from home.
The thought of working from home is the dream job for many but have you considered the isolation that living in the countryside can bring. Seeing no one for days on end will lead to cabin fever and madness - I know I’ve been there!
Your suggestions...
Many of these are from personal experience although I’m sure there are many more I haven’t thought of. Please get in touch if you can add your own experiences to the list.