Peaceful Rural Idyll? I think NOT!

I sat staring at an empty Blog page over breakfast this morning wondering what on earth I could spellbind my dear readers with. Nothing came to mind. (Partly due to the fact that my brain had been numbed by sharing a bottle of very expensive white wine with my BF in the village last night!) 


As I have previously mentioned, it is Crumble's 21st birthday today (in dog years) but looking at her curled up in her basket in front of the fire there was clearly little excitement to report on that!


We left the house at about 11.30 to walk to the village shop. This can sometimes take us a while as I stop and talk to other wandering villagers and Crumble sniffs their dogs!  We can only have been gone 40 minutes and as I turned the corner into our lane there were police everywhere. MOST unusual. a) because nothing ever happens in this quiet corner of The Cotswolds and b) because, what with budget cuts etc, we don't have the services of the Police Force readily to hand.


The cottage next door to me has long been a property owned by an absent landlord who rents it out.  Shortly before Christmas a couple moved in having, I learned in conversation, come from living in a caravan somewhere in the east of England.  They were there to refurbish the place for the owner who in return would provide them with solid housing during the winter.  Wise move considering the winter we just had.


A quiet unassuming rather - erm - simple couple.  Their first no-no was to repaint the outside door frames and window frames a hideous shade of red. NOT in keeping with a Cotswold environment and leaving the poor 18th century cottage look as if it was in a back street of Liverpool.  They had 2 dogs which Crumble enjoyed barking at.


Today he allegedly tried to kill her by strangling and assaulting her and has done a runner with one of the dogs, leaving one locked in the cottage and leaving her locked out.  So, we are to be questioned as neighbours. I know nothing except what appalling taste in paint he had. 


Poor girl. She is now being looked after by medics.  The dog has been rescued from the house. And life in this peaceful idyll rolls quietly on..........