What's not to love about Bedford!

For starters the dialling code is 01234.
It has a river at least as lovely as the one in Henley, and just like Henley it has a rowing club right beside the bridge. Unlike Henley, you don't need to be a club member to enjoy their bar, and all the land along the riverbank is public gardens, not exclusive private land, which means that anybody can take a picnic blanket and sit where they like beside the river.

There is also a rather mysterious “Shrine of the Miraculous Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe”. Now pardon me for having a bit of a “The King is in the Altogether!” moment, but doesn't that image of the BVM look rather like, ummmm, a fig? For want of something polite to write.

I viewed a flat that is four minutes walk from the railway station in the attic of a town-house with four other flats beneath it. Despite the inexpensive rent it boasts a proper bath, a washing machine, a fridge and a freezer. It's a studio so no separate bedroom, but that's fine. I have agreed to rent it directly from the owner who also owns the building next door, and that means that ten flats get to share an enormous double-garden.

I measured the living space while I was there to ascertain how much of my furniture will need to be parked elsewhere for the duration and JOY! I'm going to be able to fit it all in and still have more floor to clean between the pieces.

Extra – Eat your heart out Canaletto!