Well I had one of them. There was this barn, up on a hill top called Windy Ridge, between the family farm and some outlying fields. It was a bit of an ugly brute - all concrete blocks and ridged asbestos roofing sheets, but my god the views. Miles and miles of green tapestry stretching across 3 counties to the sea, and the distinctive silhouettes of Pilsdon and Lewesdon hills separating land and sky. The barn would be a unique opportunity with a unique view. Sure it would be windy, but you could put something there that hunkered down against the wind, with underfloor heating and log fires to keep you toasty and an expanse of glass to protect you from the elements and let you drink in that glorious view. I even pictured sipping Spanish hot chocolate from a favourite mug, curled up watching a storm come in. My dreams have details.
I've walked past this barn beating for the local shoot, I've run past it in rare enthusiastic (yet inevitably short lived) quests for fitness, I've ridden past on ponies as a kid and racehorses as an adult, I've driven past in dad's truck on the way to check the sheep (generally via a pub) or on the way to different jobs picking strawberries at Forde Abbey, or riding out at different yards. And I've always harboured that dream that nobody else had noticed it and some how I could buy it and turn it into my dream home - my grand design.
Unfortunately it was noticed. For years it remained empty, abandoned even by the cattle it once housed and gradually descending into decrepitude by the assault from the wind and weather that gave the ridge its name. Various attempts to get planning were submitted by the farmer that owned it and summarily declined. The dream still lived. And then the crushing news I had dreaded for years - not only had the barn been sold (and to beastly Londoners no less!) but they had got planning permission to turn it into a house- AND horror of horrors - it was going to be on Grand Designs!
Jesus wept. How could this be? Not only had these people stolen (well worked and saved the money to buy *technically*) my dream conversion, but they were getting to live my Grand Design dream too! It should be me chatting to Kevin not them! And to add final insult to injury - the bloody episode was aired ON MY BIRTHDAY. What the actual ***k? It seems the universe did align - but in a horribly ironic way against me!
When my indignation subsided and I actually watched the episode - Series 16, episode 6 "The Concrete Cow Shed" It was totally gutting. And as much as I wanted to hate it and them, they actually seemed like a really nice couple and as per usual on the lower budget, hands on approach Grand Designs, I was rooting for them albeit reluctantly by half way through. It wasn't finished at the end, but you got the gist of what it would be like and it will make a great revisited. I wont put a pic from when it's finished - the reveal is always the best bit!
Maybe next time I'm home, I'll swing by and take a look in a non stalkerish type way. The best part of a fantasy is that it could come true. But I'll have to let get of this particular dream, and just enjoy the thoughts what could have been...
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