Things They Don't Tell You About Country Living!
Unveiling the Rustic Reality
Living in the countryside is often painted as a dreamy, perfect lifestyle, complete with birds chirping, the smell of freshly baked bread, charming rustic windows, and breathtaking surroundings. And yes, that’s mostly true. But let me tell you, it’s not all about wicker baskets and fresh rose clippings. Sometimes, this lifestyle is not for the faint-hearted.
8 things they don’t tell you about country life and rural living:
1. Beware: Wild Rabbits Will Devour Your Pretty Flowers!
Within two months of moving in, I learned a hard lesson. After a delightful weekend tending to my garden, I felt like Snow White with birds chirping and woodland creatures helping out. But the next morning? Disaster struck—flower stems everywhere, their heads munched off. It was like the local wildlife threw an all-you-can-eat buffet at my expense! Now, all my pretty flowers are safely planted in rabbit-proof pots around the garden.
2. Rodents: Tiny Terrors of the Countryside
I love all wildlife, but these little devils give me the creeps. Their speed and those long, rubbery tails—ugh! I expected a rat or mouse occasionally because what’s a woodland without a few uninvited guests? Yet, every time one darts by, I feel like I’ve joined the cast of a horror movie.
3. Power Cuts: Welcome to the Dark Ages
Thankfully, power cuts here are brief, no more than a few minutes. But when it happens, everything stops. It's like losing your ability to hear; the silence is deafening. With no street lights, the moon becomes your only light source, looking even more spectacular without light pollution. With no Wi-Fi, phone signal, or TV, you have two options: talk to each other (gasp!) or embrace the eerie beauty of the darkness.
4. No Phone Signal: Curse or Blessing?
People spend a fortune on retreats to escape interruptions. Here, I just step into my garden, and poof—no contact with the outside world. Some might see that as a curse, but I see it as a blessing. No phone signal means no constant scrolling, just pure, unadulterated peace.
5. Flies and Midges: Nature’s Little Annoyances
I need a lifetime subscription to citronella candles to keep these pests at bay. Seriously, it’s a constant battle. These teeny-tiny creatures appear from nowhere and get everywhere, making it impossible to enjoy evening meals outdoors.
6. No Deliveries: Amazon is a Memory
Amazon orders? Takeaway delivery on a weekend? Forget about it. The only people who can find us are Royal Mail. I’ve seen delivery drivers reach the gate, then turn around in defeat while I run after them, waving my arms like a madwoman. I’ve had parcels marked as delivered with a photograph of someone’s cobwebbed shed that I’ve yet to claim, and for the most part, drivers give up, especially on a Friday afternoon. Honestly, I can’t blame them.
7. No Neighbours: Solitude or Sanctuary?
I’ve always had lovely neighbours, except for the one who threw outrageous parties for 48 hours straight on weekdays. Living out here with no neighbours might seem unnerving, but I love it—I can sing as loud as I want and wander to the chicken coop in my dressing gown without judgmental looks from curtain twitchers. My only suggestion, which I need to follow myself, is to get lots of solar lights for a bit of light when returning home in winter.
8. The Great Taxi Debacle: Navigating Nightlife in the Countryside
If you love the hustle and bustle of nightlife, a cheeky post-work drink, or nightly shopping sprees, make sure you have a plan before moving to the countryside. You need to be sober enough to guide the taxi driver and rich enough to afford the ride home—especially if your rural retreat is in the next town over. Case in point: we took a taxi a mere 2.1 miles and coughed up £15 for the trip. Extortionate, right? And no, I’ll never get over that!
While country life is often painted with broad strokes of bucolic charm and serene beauty, the reality is both delightful and challenging. From the unexpected voracity of wild rabbits to the surprise encounters with rodents, the practicalities of rural living require a certain resilience and adaptability.
Power cuts and lack of phone signal can seem daunting but offer opportunities to reconnect with the simplicity and tranquillity that draw many to the countryside in the first place. The constant battle with flies and midges, the frustration of missed deliveries, the solitude of having no neighbours, and the logistical challenges of enjoying nightlife all contribute to a lifestyle that is far from the idealised version often portrayed. Yet, for those who can navigate these quirks, country life provides a unique and enriching experience, filled with moments of peace, privacy, and an unparalleled connection to nature. Ultimately, embracing the full spectrum of rural living reveals a lifestyle that is richly rewarding in its own distinctive way, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
If you missed my last newsletter ‘Welcome to Our Country Life’, you can read it here!
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