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A Totleigh-in-the-Wold of Our Own. . .

Not our eventual new house but Highclere Castle, aka Totleigh Towers, aka Downton Abbey, aka many other something or others in various films and TV programs.  But, we will soon have a new castle where yours truly can set up the soldier things once again and daydream about how to avoid falling afoul of Sir Watkyn Bassett, Lord Sidcup, and Alpine Joe. . .  to say nothing of Madeleine Bassett.

Good news.  A new Stollen Central and Zum Stollenkeller are on the horizon.

We meet with our real estate lady on Saturday (tomorrow) morning to set into formal motion the eventual purchase of a new home.  While modest and unmistakably suburban, it has everything we want.  Excellent schools, a quiet almost rural setting, an easy commute, yet far enough away from campus, large front- and backyards plus a tree-house with tire swing for the Young Master, plenty of space indoors, no major repairs or replacements that require immediate attention (roofs, furnaces, water heaters, and so forth), and. . .  a fully finished basement!  Cue the insane laughter, please.  

If the stars align just right, we plan to move in just before Christmas during mid-December.  I know, I know. . .  Serenity now! 

-- Stokes 


House Update. . .
Our offer on the house that we most wanted has been accepted.  Our real estate lady called me about 20 minutes ago with the news.  We have a few more pieces of paperwork to sign etc., etc., but we will be able to occupy the house after December 8th. . .  Well ahead of the Christmas holidays.  I cannot wait!  Our current apartment is very nice, fairly new, and so forth, but it's not 'home' by any stretch of the imagination.  It will be awfully good to have a month,or so to unpack and settle in before classes resume in January.  The Grand Duchess and I might just have a glass or two of wine this evening.

Comments

marinergrim said…
Good luck with the purchase. Good news all round.
Anonymous said…
Good luck. The basement sounds perfect. Much snow in December?
Glad to hear your getting a base to get back to painting and gaming , hope all goes well , Tony
El Grego said…
It sounds enchanting... best of luck!
Bluebear Jeff said…
Hopefully everything will go very smoothly, sir.


-- Jeff
Fitz-Badger said…
Sounds great! Good luck and here's to moving in in time for Christmas stollen!
Best of luck with a smooth purchase.
Der Alte Fritz said…
A true wargamer looks at the basement first and really doesn't care what the rest of the house looks like. :)
Unknown said…
Great news and my fingers are crossed for you.
Simon
Thanks for the kind words, men. And yes, the first thing I have examined in all of the houses we have viewed has been the basement. This house has the nicest and best appointed one yet, so I was ready to move in two weeks ago when first we saw it. Room for my den (you know, for REAL work), a painting area, and my table plus lots of built-in closets for storage. My very own Wargaming Holiday Centre. I may never come out again once we are ensconced.

Best Regards,

Stokes
guy said…
Well done! I have long thought what an excellent invention the basement is in so many N American houses. So long as its warm/cool (depending on the season) and dry then just perfect for the troops. Years ago in my parents old house there was a huge attic room where I set up my wargames table but in the summer it was unbearably hot and in the winter just freezing. There was therefore a short campaigning season!

Regards,
Guy
Sweet Pea said…

Greetings!

Is it possible to purchase from you the delightful prints of Santa dressed in
purple? He is perfect in purple for a reception I will be hosting.

Or are you able to direct me to the source to purchase?

Your site is splendid; I love the Duchy and Duchess, Young Master endearments!

Thank You~
Marsh Mallow












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