Almost everyone, it seems, aspires to live in the countryside. Rudyard Kipling's picture of England as a place of quaint, rose-covered cottages, of hollyhocks and delphiniums in 'gardens full of stately views' is embedded deep into the national psyche. The governent may promote an urban renaissance, but the English are voting with their feet, drifting away from towns and cities, many doubtless lured by the idea of a country pile, labrador at the gate, Range Rover in the drive and village pub around the corner.
New figures out today show that in the last recorded year alone (2003-2004), there was a net migration of 105,000 people to England's most rural areas. And there is every reason to expect that this will continue, as families search for a lifestyle with fresh air, less crime and- if they can find them- better schools. Indeed if trends continue, according to the Comission for Rural Communities (CRC), the population of these rural areas will rise by almost a fifth in the next 20years. This represents a significant population shift that could transform the face of England.
I'm supposed to be doing my I&R but picture this, a house covered in flowers and vines, with a front porch and pathway infront leading to, I don't know, maybe a huge piece of land with white horses on it and sheep, or a field strewn with apple trees and maple leaves. Maybe a garden behind the house, where you can plant your own flowers, and grow your own fruits. A treehouse is situated just next to the house and the swings are made from tyres.
Well if one does not want to live in isolation, imagine a cosy close-knit village then. Everyone knows everyone else, but the neighbours are not those gossipy typical types whom we always see in our current city governed by tabloids and thrash music. How about mountains covered with fog, where one can trek up and sleep on? Most importantly, the weather will always be cooling and never really hot. In the winter when it gets a tad too cold, one can sit inside the house infront of the fireplace, eating smores and drinking hot chocolate. Maybe reading a book too. Or maybe one can go outside and make snowmen, or iceskate on the lake.
Having a rural life isn't that bad. Though I doubt I can be away from civilisation for too long, so the ideal place will be on the rural-urban fringe. I have not yet succeeded in finding a picture for this place, but I believe I saw one before. If I find it, I'll put it here. But for now, just imagine.
