FAMILY MATTERS: How did I manage without the solitude of these wide open spaces?
OCCASIONALLY author Sue Hepworth drives past her old home in Ranmoor, Sheffield, and wonders how she managed to live so close to her neighbours.
Sue and husband Dave raised their family in the substantial stone semi and at the time she loved it dearly.
But since Sue moved to the Peak District village of Great Longstone she can't get enough of rural life.
She loves its solitude and space and finds inspiration in both the people and the surroundings.
"When we moved to Ranmoor we had a baby and a two-year-old and we had another child much later," explains Sue, whose latest novel Zuzu's Petals has just been released.
"My husband always wanted to live in the country but I didn't. I felt I'd be isolated, especially having small children. I was very happy and always wanted to live in the city but after a while I thought it only fair we moved. Now I can't imagine living in the city. I can't believe how crammed in we were.
"I miss my friends and miss being able to nip to the shops for things like halloumi cheese. I tend to do all my shopping at the Co-op in Bakewell and there's not as much choice.
"I've never been a big shopper so I don't miss the hustle and bustle of Fargate.
"I love the light and the space out here. Our 1940s detached home faces south and I've got open views of the countryside on all sides."
Sue says the biggest drawback to country living comes in winter.
"I don't like winter out here. The skies are really grey and all the colour leeches out of the fields. Because it's cold everyone is in their houses and you don't really see your neighbours.
"I still like to visit the Showroom Cinema in Sheffield but in winter I'm always watching the weather. If I visit my friends in Sheffield I sometimes take a toothbrush – you don't know whether the weather is going to prevent you getting home.
"Our youngest child grew up out here and it was hard for him because evening bus services are non existent and although he loves the nature, there are a lot of elderly people.
"There aren't many sub cultures. You don't get punks and goths and I think it can get a bit boring for teenagers."
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Weather for Sheffield
Friday 25 May 2012
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