Well, at last we have moved into our new home in St Ives, just outside Ringwood.

Many outsiders might think that leaving Basingstoke would be an easy thing to do but actually, I have really enjoyed the 15 years I spent living there.

I will keep my links to Basingstoke as the boys are still there and I remain the chairman at the cricket club in Oakley, at least for another year or two.

It is only 35 minutes away and we plan to see the likes of Richard, Pete and Steve at least every couple of weeks and hopefully they will visit here too.

With all that said, I have never been afraid of change and the nomadic streak in me always makes me to try new areas to live, even if I am not adventurous enough to leave my county town of Hampshire, which in my opinion is England’s finest area.

I haven’t yet had the time to explore our new surroundings but after a brief visit to the village shop the indications are that we are in a friendly area and a walk over the footbridge takes us into the heart of the Forest.

I have also been told there is a village club/bar that has various things going on and is well used by the locals so that will be interesting. Perhaps it is an indication of how old I am looking that the girl in the shop informed me that Thursday is Bingo night!

Christchurch, Mudeford, Bournemouth and Poole are a short drive away so I am really looking forward to loads of seaside visits throughout the seasons as I am naturally drawn to the sea; perhaps my ancestors were mariners?

Nearby, we also have the Dorset Stour and the Hampshire Avon meandering by by before merging together in Christchurch which, as we speak, is a flood plain; the temptation to dig out the old fishing gear is growing by the day.

The house itself is pretty humble and quirky as opposed to the rather soulless cardboard box modern estate houses I am used to. Built in 1890 it retains the high ceilings and big windows. It has three double bedrooms, a large kitchen and separate dining and living areas.

There is plenty to do as it currently has a vintage 80’s style, featuring lashings of artex, anaglypta and hideous wooden ceiling fans/lights that would look more in place in a Canadian log cabin. The previous owners apparent addiction to pine cladding is also a concern.

Out the back it has a large garden that is slightly chaotic with a big workshop, a pond made of old motorbike tyres and a patio area that feels like a rustic pub garden, which is an obvious attraction to me. With work, it will look great.

All in all, we love it, well we love the vision of what it could be, there is so much that could be done to make it a great house.

Going from being single and living alone for half of my life, to living with a future wife, two girls (Justine’s) and two boys (mine) will take a bit of getting used to for us both but it will be fine and great fun, I love all of them.

Last Christmas, I was sat on my own watching Sky Sports with a couple of bottles of beer pretending I waxing lyrical to myself that I was happy with my lot. This year there will be all six of us enjoying a traditional dinner and all the fun and games of Christmas.

I’m very lucky really.

Have a great Christmas!