Dearest Jane <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I hope this finds you well and that Sally is looking after you <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or rather you are looking after Sally <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As you can guess I have arrived at my parents house <\/p>\n\n\n\n
And have been rewarded by their continuing fine health <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the eight years since I was last here the village has changed little <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although if you look more deeply small changes can be noted <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The village shop has since closed and is now a private residence <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This said a community shop has been opened and it is very fine<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crows are still as noisy as they have always been <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Numbers of students are attending the field studies centre <\/p>\n\n\n\n
They are easily identified as they hold expressions crossing between boredom and awe<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Only in future years will they realise how special these days were<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you were last here you remarked on the silence <\/p>\n\n\n\n
That has not changed and if anything it is even quieter <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I am greeted by everyone I pass and believe it or not some people even remember me <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mrs Peters still calls me Stuart as she has always done <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It seems that only eight seconds have passed and not eight years <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another subtle change is that most of the properties are now owned either as second homes or holiday lets <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This said I have noted that more people have actually retired here <\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are locals (you can meet them in the pub) but one is lucky to pass them in any of the lanes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The village is 100% white and is as English as they come <\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many who would consider this wrong but I disagree with them <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If there was an influx of the wrong sort of people then it would change this village forever <\/p>\n\n\n\n
One has only to see how the London suburbs have changed in thirty years <\/p>\n\n\n\n
And this is sadly repeated throughout the country but there are many places such as this and thankfully they are still breathing <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Long may this be the case<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My father has noted that there is an unwritten rule down here where estate agents will discourage the sale of properties to the wrong sort of people<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If they break this rule then their businesses might suffer <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I would not have really believed this but why would my father lie to me <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What I have also noticed is how I am slowing down without really applying the brake <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This part of Devon is working its subtle magic <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I am writing this mail from our blue room after a busy day <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is pitch black outside with only the light of this room illuminating the garden <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Everything is the same although I believe the nights are even darker <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I do wish you were here as I miss you as I always do when we are apart <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mum and Dad are so excited about the baby and whilst they understand your inconvenience they insist that we visit as soon as we can after the happy event<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mum said that we should consider purchasing a second home in the village but I am not so sure not through any idiotic political convictions but because I am not sure that we would use it for any length of time <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also with baby on its way our future is a little Stan and Jane fluid <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Will close now as Mum is telling me that dinner is imminent <\/p>\n\n\n\n
They still eat as late as they always have <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do look after yourself and give Sally my regards <\/p>\n\n\n\n
That and kiss our baby goodnight <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Always here and you can chat at any time <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sleep well Jane <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I love you <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stan xxx<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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