I’m a dreamer, always was, always will be. I don’t see it as a character flaw, or something to be proud of, I just am. In my youth, I’d like nothing better than window shopping in stores I couldn’t afford; just looking at nice things and hoping one day that I’d be able to afford them. My then husband was so down to earth it was scary, and I do seem to attract that type; so opposite to myself. I once went to a shopping mall, a few years ago, and simply wandered around a department store looking at the lovely furniture and so on. The man I was with, was quite peeved when we left as I hadn’t bought anything. Maybe it’s a ‘girl’ thing? LMAO

Now and again my kid sister and I mull over our dream house. Despite being 4 years apart, we have similar ideas about what constitutes a dream house. It has to be on a good-sized plot of land, and have enough room for flowers and herbs, naturally, but also chickens and maybe a couple of pigs too. I’d love to grow my own veggies too and remember when my first husband and I had an allotment; one Sunday we sat down to a roast and felt quite pleased that everything we were eating apart from the meat and gravy, was grown by us; a lovely feeling. Nowadays, I’d need some youngsters to help with any heavy digging; I’m well aware of my physical shortcomings…

A big kitchen is simply a must, along with a wood burner for when the weather was very cold. A cooker with more than the usual measly 4 burners would be great, and my son, when playing this game with me, says he’d like a pizza oven, a wood stove, and a tandoori oven too. Maybe he should have been training to be a chef? Lol

A mud room would be good, and a house I used to stay at for Tai Chi had such a room – a large cloakroom with benches and hanging space for damp coats, and space for muddy boots. I’d never use the front door if I had a mud room.

The house also had a large sitting room with various sofas and armchairs, not new, but definitely comfy and casual. I wouldn’t have a ‘posh’ house, I’d have a tidy, but comfortable house. In school, I had a friend who was from a very well-off family. Her house was large, and very nice, however it never felt comfortable to me, simply like a show house. I was afraid to sit on the sofa in case I wrinkled it.

No neighbours, of course, would be top of the list. Nobody within half a mile would be ideal. Whilst I’ve seen some outstanding properties in the UK that would fit the bill, I’m not convinced my dream house would be in the UK preferring a more temperate climate.

Maybe a small body of water? My sister would love that for ducks, though I’d be leaning more towards some kind of boat, complete with plank so I could live out my pirate dreams. Ah, just think, being able to sail off now and again, with a crew mate for company and to do the heavy work, and a plank just to keep him in line. I’m so bad lol.

When playing this game, the trick is not be despondent or dissatisfied that you don’t have these things, but to think wouldn’t it be nice if we did…