Mokshapriya writes: "Firstly I’d like to thank all those of you that have been sending me web links to possible suitable properties. It’s great to have the help particularly when you come across places being sold through local agents or not even on the market. Keep it up! We have visited two properties recently that are worth mentioning. The first was situated in it’s own secluded valley of 152 acres. The land consisted of woodland, grass paddocks and small lakes set in lovely Yorkshire countryside. The main house was a sprawling eccentric converted farmhouse with ten bedrooms. Beyond that a 2-bed cottage, stables and other farm buildings which brought the overall build area to about 20,000 sq ft. I must say I was very taken with the place and it remains on our current ‘shortlist’ as our search continues. It certainly ticked a number of our boxes but unfortunately there were still a few issues that got in the way – it is set in what is classified as an ‘area of outstanding natural beauty’ which would make any plans to redevelop and grow very difficult, all the buildings are focused in one area rather than spread a little more around the land, the overall ‘footprint’ area is only just big enough, there was no local public transport service (York being 18 miles away) and the cost would limit how much development we could afford to carry out. The second was a residential and agricultural country estate set in the rolling hills of North Northamptonshire, with two substantial principal houses set in mature grounds and parkland, secondary residential accommodation, commercial offices and farm. The whole estate is on the market for eight million pounds but it is available in separate lots and so we viewed the elements that might fit our requirements. The location is very good being only one hour from Birmingham and therefore reasonably UK central and the countryside very quiet if a little pastoral. There are problems too of course not least financial and so discussions are on going. The photograph shows our visiting group considering the pros and cons of the site having munched our butties under the shade of a beech tree." For more details, see www.sangharakshitalandproject.co.uk