This blog is our adventure in renovating and our new life in Northumberland.

After living in the city for over 20 years we decided we wanted a new life in the countryside. We found a pair of old farmworkers cottages that we just knew we could make home.

With 1/4 acre (more meadow than garden) and so much potential we took the plunge, sold our lovely Listed Georgian home in the city and moved in.

Originally four cottages built between 1830 and 1840 for farm workers, buying was an interesting process as it was the first time they had been registered as a house in their own right, having always been part of the farm.

Now two cottages and soon to be one with no central heating or gas, just electricity, open fires and a septic tank we knew it would be challenging.

The 1841 census shows up to nine people living in each cottage and each cottage was only 1 or 2 rooms.