@thecuriousglasshouse Lifestyle Blog by Oxford Cottage Gardener
Lifestyle, interiors and gardening – Follow on Instagram @thecuriousglasshouse for daily updates
Sorry to have been absent from my blog, I’ve been quite busy in the garden!
A quick update…..We exchanged and moved into the house on the planned date (after all the trials and tribulations of the purchase) and on the weekend we moved in, the heavens opened and it rained non stop for about 4 weeks. So no progress on the garden during the month of April but we did managed to decorate our study and get all our books and craft and hobby bits moved in.
Still trawling Rightmove…… I think I genuinely am OCD over searching on the website, I look probably 3 times a day just in case something new gets added and I miss it ?
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ne.
It's got nearly 1/2 acre✅
It's already had an extension to make a large kitchen ✅
The old garage has been demolished and a modern one built ✅
The garden is a blank canvas ready to go ✅
Ok the kitchen needs remodelling, and an en-suite needs adding but otherwise it's got all the basics.
Unfortunately it's a bit out of our price range whilst we still own our Oxford house but..... I need to be resourceful!
I've booked a viewing for Saturday, in case someone comes along to buy it under our noses (again) Let's see how that goes.
We viewed the house and loved it, trouble is 2 other people have viewed it and one person has had a 2nd viewing already! Hmmm I find the whole thing so stressful, now we’ve got to see if we can raise the extra finance and get an offer in ASAP if we want it.
To be honest if someone does put in a full asking price offer, I’m not going to get into a bidding war with them, the asking price is really what it’s worth so I wouldn’t be prepared to go any higher anyway.
So we’ve had our offer accepted ??? now to pay for a valuation to finalise our mortgage offer. That’s the nerve wracking bit …..what if another seller pulls out!
See the bluebells in all their glory RIGHT NOW in the bluebells woods in Nuffield Place.
Knowing that it is bluebell season we were determined to have a day out to see them, trawling through the NT website to look for recommended venues, we see delighted that Nuffield Place was suggested and not very far from where we live.
Last Sunday was a typical spring day, bright and sunny but very cold when the sun went in, so undetered we wrapped up warm and off we went. We have been before but last time it was at the end of the summer so we were hoping to see something different.
As it was sunny we thought we do the grounds first, so we walked through the gardens and into the small woodland beyond.
The sight of the bluebells was stunning as we seem to have picked the best moment with all the bluebells in flower and none of them had gone over yet. Further on slightly we could see the woodland beyond the fence which was even more delightful filled with bluebells as far as you can see.
It was such a treat to see as you always know that with a couple of weeks all this will be gone.
Back towards the house and the gardens were starting to bloom with just a few plants taking centre stage.
We decided to look around the house especially as it was getting a little chilly. The house itself is a fairly modest house (if quite grand) but does retain its 1950’s/1960’s charm. Its vintage pieces are such a draw as it is one of my favourite styles.
I always look at beautifully laid out tables with their cake stands and lace table cloths to imagine the bygone lifestyle.
The house was home to William Morris and his wife, he was famous for starting Morris Garages MG cars, which went on to create the iconic MG range as well as the Morris Minor, the Wolsey and other cars which are truly classic today. Therefore the house does have quite a masculine feel to it. One highlight is the cupboard in his bedroom which has a vice, woodworking kit and many bits where he could ‘tinker’ at night when he couldn’t sleep.
Other items on display include his and her robes as he was a peer of the realm
and delightful vintage bits I remember my grandparents having
It was a lovely day out, a tribute to one of the greats of the car manufacturing industry….well worth a visit.
Best wishes
Sarah x
I love my job of being a teacher, inspiring and motivating young people to be interested in my subject. Encouraging them to do well in the examinations they take and even to take my subject at university or for a job.
But of course what I also love is the long school holidays and the freedoms you get knowing you get long substantial breaks from work.
The Easter holiday is approaching with only a week or so left at school and I know the days running up to the break will be long and tiring, finishing off the syllabus for the exam classes and writing reports and collecting target data on all I teach, but I am already making plans for how to spend the 3 1/2 weeks off.
Unusually we are not going away this break, ordinarily we would have a week in a warm country just to relax and rejuvenate a little. This year however we have decided to stay at home and enjoy day trips (with occasional nights in B&B) to enjoy what is around us.
One outing we have planned is a day trip to London. For those who follow my blog know how easy it is for us to take the train. Since they’ve opened the new Oxford Parkway station it takes us straight into London Marylebone in just under 1hr.
I have two exhibitions I would like to attend,
Which is being held at the Royal Academy of Arts
and also
Vogue 100 – A Century of Style
Being held at the National Portrait Gallery
What is brilliant about this is both exhibitions are walking distance from one another and in the Jermyn Street, Saville Row area which are one of husbands favourite places to visit.
I’m so looking forward to going, I’ll let you know how I get on……..
Sarah
