The view

Our new neighbours, Peter & Sheila Fairweather, asked us to a party to meet our new neighbours in Denford. It was a lovely day, with very good cheese & home-baked bread, and we were made very welcome

Finding the plot

We had been looking at plots - just theoretically, for some time, learning about planning issues and thinking about what kind of build would suit us, and where we would like to live.
We would have enough money saved in July 2009, and we thought it might take a couple of years or so to find the right plot in the right place.
One Saturday at the end of June, we were at The Raven in Hexton, having lunch with Neil, Duncan & Katie; we talked about looking for a plot, and called round at a couple of possibilities in the Barton area, neither of which would suit us.
When we got home, an envelope from Bletsoes in Thrapston, Northants, was waiting for us, and inside was what looked like our ideal plot, in Denford.

On the Sunday, we went up to see it informally, on our way to visit Derick (Jacky's dad lives 15 mins. drive away from Denford). The plot runs from Denford High St. down to a tributary of the River Nene. Opposite are flood meadows and a footpath. We walked along the path, looking over at the plot, and knew this was the one. Further along, one of the gardens had a small landing area, and a small boy was stepping down to join someone (his dad?) in a small boat.
A few houses along from the plot, where the road and river meet, there is a war memorial with some seats, where you can sit and look over at the river and wildlife.
We arranged to meet the estate agents, and the Fairweathers at South Reach, who were selling part of their garden; we put in a bid; were accepted; instructed solicitors; and now we own "land adjacent to South Reach"

The Bright House

For some years we have had the ambition to build out own house. About 4 years ago we began to visit building exhibitions, read magazines: http://www.homebuilding.co.uk/ and look, theoretically, at likely plots: http://www.buildstore.co.uk/findingland/

Thanks to Angela & Nigel for the house building book as well!