After a really uneventful few days of calling estate agents and trying to book appointments, the move is not looking good. Not enough houses on the market and the ones that are just aren't very nice. So it will become a waiting game and as hubby starts his new job on Monday it will also become a can I cope without him for half of every week scenario.
I think the BIGGEST obstacle in this move is my son who this year started his GCSEs and despite his objects at leaving Hillingdon, he made me proud by making the move and then going on to become popular in his new school and is top (apparently) in the whole year for maths (again a very proud mum).
So do I just let him get on and finish his exams and then make the move before middle man needs to start at a secondary school. (Will we all be too settled ourselves in Norfolk by then??) or do we just take the plunge and get tuition for him to do his GCSE's privately??? and be able to move on a faster timescale.
Dilemmas dilemmas !!!
So on a lighter note i've decided to stop stressing so much about this move and focus on a midsomer move??
What's that you ask??
I follow the tour of all the areas that Midsomer murders has been filmed (and we all know how beautiful those areas are) so the list is such:
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| Used in: Sauce for the Goose |
 | Used in: The Killings at Badger's Drift Death of a Hollow man Death in Disguise Blue Herrings Dead Man's Eleven Sauce for the Goose |
| Used in: Blue Herrings Four Funerals and a Wedding Ghosts of Christmas Past Written in Blood Blood Will Out Small Mercies The Magician's Nephew |
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| St Mary's & All Saints Church Used in: Four Funerals and a Wedding Ghosts of Christmas Past Written in Blood |
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| Used in: The Magician's Nephew |
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| Used in: Death's Shadow Worm in the Bud Dead Man's Eleven King's Crystal Blue Herrings Dark Autumn The House in the Woods The Killings at Badger's Drift A Worm in the Bud Birds of Prey |
| Death's Shadow Worm in the Bud |
| Used in: Dead Man's Eleven King's Crystal Blue Herrings Dark Autumn The House in the Woods |
| Used in: Tale of Two Hamlets Four Funerals and a Wedding |
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| Four Funerals and a Wedding |
| Used in: four Funerals and a Wedding |
| Used in: Judgement Day Beyond the Grave Orchis Fatalis |
| Used in: Judgement Day Beyond the Grave Orchis Fatalis |
| Used in: Written in Blood The Axeman Cometh Things That Go Bump in the Night Sins of Commission The Black Book |
| Used in: Written in Blood |
| Used in: The Axeman Cometh |
| Used in: Sins of Commission (as Chapter One Bookshop) The Black Book |
| Used in: Things That Go Bump in the Night |
| Used in: Death of a Stranger Talking to the Dead Death in Disguise Death and Dreams Bad Tidings Shot at Dawn |
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| Death of a Stranger Death and Dreams Bad Tidings |
| Used in: Ghosts of Christmas Past Death in Chorus Blood Wedding |
| St Mary the Virgin Church Used in: Death in Chorus Blood Wedding |
| St Peter and St Paul's Church Used in: Who Killed Cock Robin? |
| Used in: Who Killed Cock Robin? |
| Used in: Who Killed Cock Robin? Dead Letters |
| Used in: Death in Chorus Blood Wedding |
| Used in: Death in Chorus Blood Wedding |
| Used in: Judgement Day Birds of Prey Orchis Fatalis A Talent for Life The Maid in Splender Vixon's Run Shot at Dawn Things That Go Bump in the Night Midsomer Life |
| Used in: Judgement Day Birds of Prey |
| Used in: Blood Will Out The Animal Within Stranglers Wood |
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| Used in: The Animal Within Strangler's Wood |
| Used in: Garden of Death The Axeman Commeth Things That Go Bump in the Night A Tale of Two Hamlets Second Sight Garden of Death Blood Wedding Dead Letters Death and Dreams The House in the W... |
| Used in: Garden of Death The Axeman Cometh Things That Go Bump in the Night |
| Used in: A Tale of Two Hamlets Second Sight |
| Used in: A Tale of Two Hamlets |
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| Dead Letters Blood Wedding |
| Used in: Death and Dreams |
| Used in: Sauce for the Goose |
| Used in: Sauce fo the Goose |
| Used in: Faithful unto Death Ring Out Your Dead Tainted Fruit Sauce for the Goose |
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| Used in: Painted in Blood |
| Used in: The Killings at Badger's Drift Destroying Angel Who Killed Cock Robin? Talking to the Dead Death and Dust |
| Used in: Destroying Angel Who Killed Cock Robin? Talking to the Dead |
| Used in: The Axeman Cometh Country Matters |
| Used in: Things That Go Bump in the Night |
| Used in: Things That Go Bump in the Night Death in Disguise Talking to the Dead Garden on Death |
| Used in: Talking to the Dead Garden of Death |
| Buckinghamshire Railway Centre Used in: Things That Go Bump in the Night Down Among the Dead Men |
| Cock and Rabbit Public House Used in: Painted in Blood |
| Used in: Death of a Stranger |
| Used in: The Killings at Badger's Drift Death of a Hollow Man Death's Shadow Death of a Stranger Painted in Blood Death in a Chocolate Box |
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Thankfully, the Midsomer Murders are fictional, but the villages and market towns seen in each episode are not. Location teams spend hours finding period properties in locations full of character and charm, the real stars of the show.
These two driving tours pass through Midsomer Murders countryside in South Oxfordshire, an area easily accessible from the M4 and M40. Travelling without a car?
Rail and bus routes to the area lead to many walking and cycle paths. An overnight stay is recommended to stop, eat and enjoy the routes at your leisure.
Southern Trail, taking in Causton Playhouse and Badgers Drift Primary School, as well as opportunities to enjoy manor houses, village pubs, museums, river trips and a steam railway
Henley - Nettlebed – Wallingford – Moulsford - Goring - Mapledurham - Rotherfield Peppard/Rotherfield Greys - Henley (total drive time approximately 3 hours)
From Henley, head out through Nettlebed, where the hotel and the village hall have appeared in the series. If you want to start the day with a walk, detour to the
Warburg Nature Reserve or visit
Stonor, one of England’s oldest manor houses, filmed in James Bond and featured in Simon Jenkins, ‘1,000 best houses’. (seasonal opening times)
Arriving in
Wallingford, you enter the original ‘Causton’ in time for lunch. The Corn Exchange, in the much-filmed market place, appears in a number of episodes as Causton Playhouse. Maybe you’ll bump into one of Wallingford's actors, many are cast as extras in the series, or hear the local choir which grace many Midsomer services as the Midsomer Worthy Choir. The famous crime writer, Dame Agatha Christie, was President of the theatre in Wallingford and is
buried at St Mary’s Church in Cholsey. For a step-back-in-time visit nearby
Cholsey and Wallingford Railway, a GWR branch line still running steam trains on event days.
Period architecture typifies the market town of Wallingford, set on the banks of the River Thames. Bathed in history, take one of the town trails, perhaps starting at
Wallingford Museumand finishing with the ruins of the
13th century castle and castle gardens.
Journey on through the pretty rural villages of Moulsford which featured in ‘Dead in the Water’ (an alternative lunch stop or boat hire is available at the
Beetle and Wedge) and Goring- upon-Thames; then on to Mapledurham House and Watermill.
Mapledurham House has a history of filming, having caught the eye of location managers with The Eagle has Landed, Inspector Morse, Miss Marple and, recently, the new series of Midsomer Murders with Neil Dudgeon replacing John Nettles as DCI Barnaby. Historically it has been a scene of parliamentary and religious dissent and one or two past owners certainly met untimely deaths! Find out yourselves why everyone wants to film here and enjoy a cream tea made with flour from the last working watermill on the River Thames. Still privately owned, the family have lovingly restored this magnificent 17th century home, the water mill and its extensive grounds. (seasonal opening)
Heading back towards Henley, you have two detours to choose from: Rotherfield Peppard or Rotherfield Greys.
At Rotherfield Peppard, both church and primary school featured in the series. The school is ‘Badgers Drift Primary School’ and children from the school appeared in the filming. A good stop is the delightfully restored 18th century barn called the
Herb Farm. Amongst its surprises are a beech hedge maze, pretty gardens, tea room and shop which demonstrates the versatility of herbs – be that food, drink, therapeutic or decorative.
Rotherfield Greys also featured and is home to
Greys Court, a 16th century, wisteria clad, mansion managed by The National Trust and only recently reopened after a much-acclaimed two year conservation programme. (seasonal opening)
Back into Henley, head to your hotel or B&B and choose your culinary delight from over 20 restaurants, bistros and pubs in this vibrant market town. The
Kenton Theatre is thought to be the 4
th oldest working theatre in the UK, a Regency gem with a diverse programme ranging from the traditional to the one-off treat. Chill out at the cinema or
enjoy a cruise to view this picturesque town in style from the River Thames. It's well worth an extra day to walk along the river and visit the Henley
River and Rowing Museum where the Wind in the Willow's Ratty and Mole make a special appearance. Henley's festival season runs for four months of the year, taking in food, literature, film, music and, of course, the world famous
Royal Regatta where Barnaby and Joyce attended the rowing in ‘Dead in the Water’.
(An alternative route from Wallingford to Mapledurham would take you through the villages of North Stoke with its pretty 13
th century church and Ipsden, both of which are Midsomer Murder locations. Brought your golf clubs? Then North Stoke is a must for a stop at
The Springs Hotel and Golf Club. Ipsden offers picture perfect scenes of
village pub, village shop and post office, a cricket green and a great place to watch the red kites hovering overhead.
Northern Trail, taking in Midsomer Newton Museum and Causton Library, as well as pubs, churches and shops filmed for the series; with options to visit the gardens and nature reserves set in Midsomer countryside.
Dorchester - Wallingford - Ewelme – Watlington – Lewknor – Aston Rowant – Chinnor – Thame – the Miltons and the Haselys – Dorchester (total drive time approximately 3.5 hours)
The trail begins in
Dorchester, one of the prettiest Midsomer county villages. Become truly immersed in the Midsomer Murders experience by staying overnight. Your choices are a 15
thcentury or two 16
th century coaching inns, and make sure you visit the post office; all are film locations.
Dorchester Abbey was re-founded as an Abbey for Augustinian canons in 1140 on the site of previous ecclesiastical buildings. It displays traditional architecture from 11
th to 17
thcentury. A ‘free’ must-see in South Oxfordshire, the Abbey is open all year round. Remember Joyce Barnaby’s visit to Midsomer Newton Museum? That's the Abbey’s museum. (Museum and tea room seasonal opening)
Next stop is Ewelme, overlooked by many but not the Midsomer Murders film crew who have used this delightful, tiny village a number of times. With a village shop, tea room, church and school it’s worth a stop to take a walk around
Ewelme Watercress Beds and nature reserve and to watch the video of watercress being farmed in the 1970’s.
Move onwards to the market town of Watlington, where you can see buildings spanning the period from 15
th century to modern day. The library featured as Causton library in ‘OrchisFatalis’ and it is worth taking time to see the church, pubs and shops before setting off towards
Lewknor, a pretty brick and flint village complete with pub and village school.
Driving towards Thame, you enter the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and there are a couple of options depending on your interests. Download a walking leaflet and enjoy the
Aston Rowant nature reserve or visit the train station used in ‘Death in a Chocolate Box’ at the
Chinnor and Princes Risborough railway (steam and diesel trains run on event days).
On arrival in
Thame several locations are immediately recognisable from the series, particularly the
Spreadeagle Hotel, 16
th century on the outside with cosmopolitan comfort on the inside. Thame's independent shops and tea rooms have traditional frontages, there's a spectacular 13
th century church, a museum, walking trails and a 700 year old pub. It is likely you will arrive on
market day, with weekly markets, annual food fayres, festivals, fetes, cattle markets and the
Thame Show. Time it right and play a championship golf course at
The Oxfordshire Golf Resort, dine at one of the world’s finest restaurants,
Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons or stroll through
Waterperry Gardens to learn its remarkable story.
Head in the direction of Warborough, passing the Midsomer countryside of the Haselys and the Miltons where a number of scenes were located. But make sure you arrive in Warborough in time for a ‘swift half’ at the
Six Bells on the Green; a thatched 16
th century pub which features in so many episodes of Midsomer Murders, regulars will recognise it at once!
Returning to Dorchester there will be time over dinner to decide tomorrow's agenda. If it’s more Midsomer (or Morse) you’re after, then
Oxford is very close. Sticking to the countryside your local options include
Wittenham Clumps, a walk along the
Thames Path, or the Oxford University’s
arboretum at Nuneham Courtenay.
(A detour at Watlington could take you to Turville to
one of the most filmed pubs in England where the clues are found in the menu of Dibley Pudding, Chitty Chitty Bangers or a Midsomer Burger! The pub website also details a lovely walk through some of the finest Midsomer county countryside).
But obviously instead of going for a drive i'm going on a virtual tour (which then links into seeing houses prices, availability etc etc).
Should keep me busy for a while and before I know it hubby will be home from work every weekend :D.
I'll let you know how I get on!!
TTFN!!!!
ok maybe not quite as pretty as her lol!