Weeping and wailing - and wiping.

Yes why is the stray tissue always in the dark wash - is that somebody's law ?
My requests on Escape to the Country would be an ensuite shower room as I don't like to share with guests and a utility room for white goods. It would double as a dog drying, feeding room. No conservatory for me and definitely no more than two stories.

We 'downsized' once to a lovely village but a conversion of a very old police station. Consequently, it was gorgeous to look at (the old cells were our kitchen with the bars on the Windows etc) but we had the proverbial master bedroom with ensuite up three flights of stairs! Everything you wanted was either on the top floor or ground floor. I got so fit vacuuming those stairs etc and running up and down, cleaning three bathrooms! What were we thinking of? I loved the village, the people, made good friends but the house!

We then got our sensible heads on, bought a bungalow on the outskirts of a small market town, easy walk everywhere, bus stop outside, all the shops you need for every day, masses of clubs and societies if you want to join, etc etc. It's not romantic but very practical and suitable for if either of us are left alone. I wish I could put that last phrase in very small writing because I'm whispering it!

How I agree with so many of these comments. What about those who cry then distort their faces so that they can wipe any mascara runs from under their eyes. USE A HANKIE! And then there are those on Escape to the Country who want a traditional country cottage and then complain about low ceilings and beams, not to mention (but I will) those who gave a budget of over a million pounds. If you can't find something for yourself with that budget, you don't deserve it - am I being cynical? Of course I am.

merlotgran

We have two acres in the middle of nowhere, Gill

DH is now a happy bunny as he's just seen one of his farming mates. I just like the crisps

I think I like your DH merlotgran, we could shout at the screen together

Blinko DH watches it sometimes and I annoy him by drifting in and out and making remarks such as 'How on earth have they got a budget of £1.3million?'
'What are they going to do in that kitchen? Hold a dance?'
'Mind the beams!!' as 5'2" woman saying 'ooh, lovely' is followed by 6' 6" partner!
'Who's going to clean all those bathrooms?'

There was one on not long ago in a place we know - with an extremely difficult sloping garden - why would you buy that when retiring?

merlotgran do we have the same DH? Or can I just hear yours? Now, if you had 5 acres in the middle of nowhere I wouldnt hear him.

Watching ETTC at the moment because it's in Cambridgeshire so hoping to see some familiar areas.

So far DH has shouted, 'You said you were downsizing so how much bloody room do you want FFS?'

Off to a good start

Loved Howards Way Witzend particularly one of the main characters who did a few hours in a frock shop and decided to become an international designer- the shoulder pads were enormous!

a family friend grew up in a three bed semi with 6 siblings ,she was recently on Grand Design and was building a house with 4 bedrooms and SIX bathrooms ,all massive of course .I still cant figure out why she needs SIX bathrooms and I'm happy that I wont ever have to clean them all .Even her brother who is one of our closest friends thought it was bonkers

Another Escape to the Country fan here.

My pet gripes are: where oh where do some of the much younger couples (say, in their forties) get nearly £1m to spend? There seem to be quite a few of them about.

And second, when the couple (of whatever age) view the kitchen that's as big as a bus station and say 'Well, it IS rather on the small side'. What on earth are they planning to do in it???

Another one with tissues everywhere. I in buy one of those cheap job lots of little packets and have one in every pocket and bag. Boxes dotted around the house.
I don't think I could afford to keep this habit up if I had a huge house.
What about the programme where people want to move to Australia and they show them a film of the family they would be leaving behind? Sob.

I do watch Escape to the Country sometimes & can't believe how unrealistic people nearing retirement are. I was brought up in a small village, lived on the edge of "suberbia" for many years moved to rural Somerset after DH retired & I took early retirment. Sadly DH died 15 months after we moved, I have now moved to Devon to be nearer DD & DGSs, edge of small town with everything I need apart from a Hospital (closed 2 years ago), shop 5 mins walk away, half hourly bus service to nearest larger town or Exeter. Whilst I still drive I am 5 mins from Dartmoor National Park.

Back to the subject of tissues, they are more hygenic than handkies (unless boiled), always have some & yes I have needed them in public loos.

I keep a toilet roll in my bedside drawer Tissues would cost a fortune when my hayfever kicks in .I do have a pack of tissues in every bag though and in coat pockets .If it was the programme I watched last night with the disabled 13 year old ,I broke my heart at it too,and I DONT cry at TV or films etc .I thought that woman was amazing,so strong for her family and her son was lucky to have her.I understood why it was all so overwhelming for her and I hope life will be easier for them all from now on.

I read somehere that 'old people' keep tissue under their pillows..aaaagh guilty!!? Got tissue OCD pockets.bags.car.etc....also watch..with a very cynical eye..Escape to the country..love seeing the properties...cant stand some of the "buyers??? hmmm?"....but do love Alistair&Jules?....

Going back years everyone carried a hanky and mostly used it. Since hankies went out of fashion not many people seem to carry tissues. At home I have a man sized box of tissues always open...yet my husband will always use kitchen paper to blow his nose. The only programme I have seen were tissues are used is a programme called Judge Rinder ....were his assistant Michelle is usually needed to bring a glass of water and the box of tissues.

It drives me mad when presenters asked bereaved people. How do you feel? Wait for the close shot of the tears. It's obvious how they feel. Devastated!

Also presenters who feel they have to walk and talk. They look awkward, like they might trip!

henetha isn't it about choice? Myself and late DH visited many countries during our working years. I am so glad we did it that way round, the world today fills me with horror, so on retirement we bought a coastal property with far more rooms than would be lived in and with a large garden that kept us occupied.
This was to be an investment and in which our children will benefit.

Escape to the Country is one of those progs. I love to hate, don't watch it often but when I do, I enjoy having a good old internal bitch about the ( mostly) annoying people.
IMO a lot of them just want to be on telly, which is pathetic anyway, and many also want to show off about their extra-large budget, and how very discerning/demanding they are - Oh, I couldn't possibly live with that! etc.

There was a prog. yers ago that Dh and I only ever watched because all the characters were so unbelievably annoying, so we'd enjoy a really good bitch-fest about them. I think it was called Howard's Way - anyone else remember it?

Always have tissues - every pocket, every handbag, every room!!

Annoyed by politicians patronisingly saying 'now, look ..'. and the constant so, um, er, you knows from supposedly professional people.

Blue skies - I have that DVD on my Amazon wish list, going to order it today. Love the dance/tune. At a party years ago I was enjoying dancing it with my eyes shut, only to discover I was the only one, everyone else was watching me!! Just as well I am fairly uninhibited.

Margrete I salute you. Bring back the hanky, banish the tissue in the wash rage.

My friend used to call her DC that.

When I had DC I always tried to keep hankies/tissues handy! Same now with the DGC.

And NEVER the same tissue for eyes as for noses!

I am thankful my property is detached or my neighbours
would not appreciate my language viewing on tv some of the dripping noses that are disgustingly wiped on the back of hands. Another of my pet hates,do not actors on tv soaps know what handles on cups/mugs are for?

Don't you hate that Jalima!