Very deceptive

This is Belcot Manor Farm, according to information on the internet this has all the charm of a period property set in rolling Kent countryside only a few minutes from Tenterden. Yet is is only 30 years old. The vision of the family living here was to build a new home using as many historic and reclaimed materials as possible giving an authentic feel of a property which has nestled in the landscape for centuries.

It sets a very pretty picture indeed and we were taken in by its appearance and situation so it came as a surprise to find it is less than half my age. I shudder to think how much it cost and what its value may be today.

We'd journied down to Tenterden with Barbara and David, us to go for a walk, they to browse the town. We had lunch together sitting in the sunshine in the park then repaired to a cafe for a very fine coffee before we set off on our respective missions.

Our walk took us through some lovely rolling Kent countryside, passing an extensive traditional orchard filled with large apple trees which were laden with fruit. I was itching to do a bit of scrumping - I'll have to find out more about it if I can.

We were surprised too with the number of new houses being built on the edge of Tenterden. One site had blocked off the footpath with no alternative route which meant a detour to get to the other side. Another site was tastefully done (which shows tasteful and 21st C can go together) houses of an interesting design and catering for first time buyers as well as the well healed. And you have to be well healed to live in this part of Kent.