Don't get me wrong, I love the country. There is an undeniable pleasure of looking out over undulating paddocks of golden grasses and a quiet satisfaction of watching sheep ambling along grazing contentedly. Quiet, calm, peaceful. The traffic, crowds, ambulance sirens, police helicopters and drunken brawlers replaced by wide open roads, big skies, chirping birds and lowing cattle. The peace and quiet surely has a universal appeal to frazzled city folk everywhere. We visit a quaint country town for a weekend B&B stay and return home refreshed, thinking: "That's the life for me!". But be warned. The idyllic dream of country life is just that- a dream. Visiting the countryside and living in it are as different as visiting Venice and living there. Nice to pass through and sample all the pleasures while leaving before you encounter any of the inconveniences. Just as living in the city has its unpleasant elements, so does living in the country. My advice to anyone considering a move from the city to the country-
try before you buy!
