As you know, Pete and I have decided that we would like to move. In fact, we’ve decided that a move is the only thing that will save our sanity. We’ve had various discussions about how and when this might take place, and have considered selling up and renting, building our own home and buying a (very) smallholding somewhere out west. The idea is that I will have the peace and quiet I crave and we will have enough room to swing a cat.

All of that seems impossibly far away and for several weeks I have been harbouring a substantially different dream – downsizing and living in a pair of LandARKS. A LandARK is a very funky, off-grid eco house which is built from a kit. I thought we could have two – one for a home and one for an office. With solar water heating and space heating from a wood burning stove we could be warm and cosy and energy efficient (although we’d need a grid connection for the office, at least. And the internets. We must have the internets).

Pete has never really shared this dream. It’s not about the downsizing – he’s as keen to get rid of the clutter as I have and has been enthusiastically ridding us of our possessions, one way or another. He was bothered by the fact that there are no photos of LandARKS – only artist’s impressions. He didn’t think they existed (although the smaller version, the GardenARK, was taken to various trade shows last year).

I have, reluctantly, come around to his way of thinking. I have emailed RuralZed to ask for further details, and received no reply. I have emailed Tensen Buildings (they do the woodwork, as far as I can see) and received no reply. Pete has rung both companies and left multiple messages on their answerphones – and received no reply.

And so it seems a need a new dream. Bummer.