A couple were hoping to find a more rural home for their dog on Escape to the Country, with presenter Jonnie Irwin faced with a long list of criteria for their new location.
Charles and Norma, who have been married for 35 years moved around the UK a lot before settling in a 1960s chalet-style bungalow in Southend-on-Sea in Essex. They told the BBC One show their dog Ralph is the driving force in their home hunt, with the beach in Southend largely shut off to canines from spring to autumn, as well as tourists clogging up the local roads.
Norma said: "We've got one expensive little dog because we're moving to the country just for him."
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The pair weren't particularly fussed on the precise Suffolk location, but wanted somewhere that was no more than two hours drive from their daughter in South End.
Initially, Norma told Jonnie she needed "a minimum" of three double bedrooms, a kitchen/dining area and a "boot room", or utility room, where the dog can come in from a muddy garden.
Jonnie noted Norma was calling the shots, leading Charles to mention his desire for a 'toy shop'. Charles said he required somewhere "big enough for me to have a car or two inside that I can get my hands dirty with".
Looking wary, Jonnie said: "Suddenly this criteria has grown somewhat."
The first house was a quaint historic property in a "classic Suffolk pink" and boasting a thatched roof. While Norma expressed her concern about the need for modernisation, the gardens spanned three quarters of an acre and included a barn perfect for Charles' 'man cave'. However, it was at the limit of their £750,000 budget.
The second property was a barn conversion which Charles fell in love with. However, Norma felt "disappointed". She said: "I wanted to love this house but I don't. For me, it's a barn still. If I was here by myself in this house I would feel extremely lonely and rattling around in this big empty building."
At £695,000, the home was well within budget. Charles also said it was a "blank canvas" and Jonnie urged Norma to give it a chance.
Charles added: "It's lacking in a little bit of soul but it's purely the way it's been decorated. It has enormous amount of potential."
The third property, the mystery house, was a new build. The vintage style timber-frame property was built in 2014. Offers in excess of £750,000 were being welcomed.
Norma loved the balcony in the master bedroom, as well as the storage offered by the walk-in wardrobe. Charles called it "the most complete" home they had viewed.
My first impression was that it looked absolutely like a barn conversion. When Jonnie explained it was a new build it became even more interesting. The only box it doesn't really tick is outside space but that's maybe a compromise we need to make."
Norma called the interior stunning. "It's lovely. I could see myself living here."
After some reflection, Norma told Jonnie: "The garden grew on me the longer I spent there. The reality is we're getting older and do we really want to spend our life weeding borders? No."
The couple stayed an additional night in Suffolk to explore the local area.
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