Neighbours; On the Farm

It's quite isolated on the farm, though we have got to know people over the years when they've been staying in what used to be the holiday cottages. But they're no longer holiday lets and we are now renting them out to permanent tenants. This obviously means we'll have neighbours. On our farm. Almost on our doorstep. Am I anxious?

You bet I am.

On the upside, I'm looking forward to getting to know new people and hopefully making a friend or two, but on the downside (and there's always one with me isn't there...) I'm hoping we will still have our little corner of paradise to ourselves. So far we have one of the cottages rented to a lovely lady who, all being well, moves in next week. I've had a few viewings on the others and am waiting for answers and feedback. But it's daunting. If you live next door to people and are used to a nod and a smile whenever you hang your washing out, I guess you'll think I'm loop the loop. Everyone else thinks I'm just unsociable, which I am, very, but I'm also quite possessive of my land and so I'm vetting everyone to within an inch of their lives before either of us sign on the dotted line.

Amy's looking forward to having neighbours - she's secretly hoping a hot teenage boy will move in - and I wonder often what she'll be like when we do have people living so close by. She's been brought up living miles away from anyone and perhaps it will be a welcome change for her. The Farmer likes a chat. Especially over a cuppa and a shortbread so whoever does move in will need references of 'likes a chat and enjoys a cuppa' before he'll entertain them. I, however, would like my peace and quiet to remain intact, not to mention my privacy to be respected. But, at the end of the day, we're poor farmers who need to do a little diversification and make some extra dough. And if having a few neighbours helps us to do that, then I'll just have to live with it. And get used to it.

Eventually.