To be a bit fuming at Escape To The Country

[jamoncrumpets]

Yes, yes, I know I am watching tv in the day and should be out working or volunteering or something, but both kids are ill so we're all having a down day today.

Anyway, I'm fuming because the couple (male, female) are viewing houses and every single time they walk into a kitchen the presenter says 'Well, will this do for you Sharon?' and then when they get to the outside space, garage etc, he turns to the man and says 'What do you think then, Nigel?'

The woman has already said that she isn't much of a cook. He's not letting her off the hook, he is absolutely DESPERATE to sell her a big old kitchen so she fit more neatly into her gender role.

I've never seen this show before, is it always like this? AIBU to want to take the presenter to a female boxing club and have him pummelled for a few bouts?

[evaperonspoodle]

Jelly was that the one in Saffron Walden where the shower was a Jack and Jill? Spending £300k to get the patio door 'perpendicular to the garden'....gave me the flipping rage.

I love the way they ask the neighbours what they think of the house, they always say it is ugly and an embarrassment, but the surrounding houses are nearly always identical!

[Cushellekoala]

On grand designs they either must have a garage full of shit and tat kids toys, magazines, books, clothes etc or have severly Marie Kondo'd their house. Theres never ever any "stuff" in there when Kevin visits despite there always being at least 3 children (2 of which were conceived in the caravan) .And he's too wordy for me. I need a dictionary to understand what hes talking about!!🙈🙈

[TheHumbleHawthorn]

Fluff and Tibbles

[The80sweregreat]

There are some beautiful ' barn conversions' on Grand designs, ( when i watched it about 6 years ago)
One had a lovely staircase which cost about 30 k or something eye watering , but it was absolutely stunning and so well made and put together in order to make the barn into a two level place.
Goes to show what money can buy.

[Motoko]

Also, on Grand Designs, they always have a specially made, huge window, coming from Germany, and Kevin ramps up the tension by going on about what a disaster it would be, if the glass got broken on the journey, or while being craned off the huge flatbed lorry, or their measurements were out, even a millimetre.

Anyone remember the long, narrow house built between other houses, that had the bath under the bed? And they had an open staircase, and a baby.

[dontcallmelen]

I remember that one Motoko it also also a glass retracting roof & they built it for about two Bob, the chap was very clever though if slightly bonkers.
Yy GD & Kevin ramping up the tension & incomprehensible chats to the camera.

[bridgetreilly]

Tbf, not much room for a lot of stuff in the caravan, so when that all gets spread out over the vast house they've built, I'm never surprised that it looks empty. I assume they accumulate afterwards like the rest of us.

[TSSDNCOP]

My old boss was on it. He literally said nothing apart from WOW! about every room, to every question and everything. It was hilarious. We ripped it out of him for months

[Charley50]

What's a ringer?

[Hazlenutpie]

I love this show! For me it's pure escapism. I like seeing the swanky houses that I could never afford and the beautiful villages and the countryside. I would love to have chickens, ponies and alpacas in my head but not really, so this show acts out my fantasies without me having to move off my sofa.

[ElinoristhenewEnid]

When my dh and I downsized our thoughts were for the future
Bungalow on the level - no steps
Close to a bus route
Near to a gp surgery and hospital
Close to shops
Small garden that can be made maintenance light
Dont think we were suitable candidates for ETTC!!!

[CaptainMyCaptain]

What I don't understand about Ugly House to Lovely House is that they start work on the alterations while they're still deciding whether to move or not.

[cazinge]

@nancyclancy123 to normal people, yes a budget is a budget but on most of these property shows they seem to find an extra £50-100k when the 6+ bed mansions aren't what they want. That gives me the rage, where have they got it from????

[Motoko]

I've always wondered that too, especially when some of them have already had to borrow money from banks and family, and yet they still manage to get substantial amounts from elsewhere.

[Nearly47]

I hate when they are shown a house that would fit 3 of mine and they say it's too small. And they are a retired couple with no children

[LarryGreysonsDoor]

What I don't understand about Ugly House to Lovely House is that they start work on the alterations while they're still deciding whether to move or not.

That’s love it or list it.

[flirtygirl]

I watch them all and love them all but hate the budgets especially on George squashed faced shows. Stupid suggestions and stupid waste of money. Ugly house S3 e2, 2 weeks ago the couple stuck to their budget and George was shocked (and didn't seem happy). If they can do it for 80k why do so many spend 200k plus doing roughly the same thing.

I just think too many lack a sense of value for money and I see that in threads in property also.

The old people on ettc lack perspective. Talk about seriously deluded. Oh no, this 20 x 30 foot kitchen is just too small and we have 50 at Xmas. You know their families will not be visiting as good old mum and dad have seen fit to move 400 miles away.

[CaptainMyCaptain]

That’s love it or list it.
Oops, of course it is but my complaint still stands.

[schnubbins]

Totally fascinated also by the response of some when shown a magnificent house with a massive kitchen and everything one would ever have dreamed of with a watery "ooh thats nice" .I'd be jumping out of my skin!

[evaperonspoodle]

I hate when they are shown a house that would fit 3 of mine and they say it's too small. And they are a retired couple with no children

But remember, one of the reasons they are moving is because they want to 'entertain friends'. Still don't know why they need a 2000 square foot kitchen to do that, I assume in their urban home they still managed to maintain friendships

[Alsohuman]

It’s because retirement is as new start. After decades of putting anyone and everyone else first it’s a chance to be self indulgent. We want a massive kitchen because we’ll basically be living in it during the day. I’ve always wanted a kitchen big enough for a sofa and I’m damned well having one now. We’ve got 10-15 years before we have to be “sensible” and we’re going to reap the rewards of what we’ve spent a life time working for.

[Wallsbangers]

Grand Designs is just brilliant. There must be a drinking game for it.

• Kevin has to wear a high visibility and hard hat despite no building work taking place
• Tarquin and Jemima have run out of money so are doing the roof themselves. They are investment bankers
• Jemima is pregnant with twins. They currently live in a caravan with their three older children
• architect quits
• builder takes over the architects job and will project manage the rest of the build
• it snows, for weeks
• the snow has melted and ruined the ground so they cant get the lorry with their imported windows to the house. A crew of German workmen are angry.

[LarryGreysonsDoor]

You missed out

• the windows are late or don’t fit.

[dontcallmelen]

Also the windows are always from Germany & cue the hand wringing that they may not fit, coz Tarquin measurements may not be spot on.