The leaving of the shire

After 14 years, I've left the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Why would anyone do that?

Corny but magnificent: Rectory Hill

In the huge cornfield it looked as if a tornado would arrive any second.

The sheaves popped electric green and sand-yellow, stretching into the far distance against a brooding grey sky. The air was close and cool. The land felt unsettled and insane as a horror movie. 

The twister didn’t arrive, even though I was in a pla…