There's something wonderful about being out of London. It sets life in perspective and gives you hope that you can escape from the dark, grey future of a rush and stress rat race.

Having been in Lincolnshire for a week my life had slowed from frenetic to steady (although even my steady is the fast lane for the locals of Horncastle).

I appreciated walking into town - no waiting for a bus as there's only one an hour (if that). That walk into town could either be down the main road, or a cut through The Wong* and through the back streets.

It's strange to be in a place where people complain that the traffic is getting heavier because there are vehicles waiting at the traffic lights - they've obviously never seen Chiswick Roundabout when gridlocked.

I liked the fact that people talked to one another in the street rather than walking past with a mobile or ipod glued to the ear.

And people sat down to eat their take away fish & chips or pizza, throwing rubbish in the bin rather than dumping it on the pavement.

It's not as if the place does not have its problems - the local council is ruled by "old boys" and people with connections who are quick to look after their own needs and slow to progress with anything new that may benefit the town, especially provision for the young. The town has plenty of sheltered housing for the elderly, but little for young families.

Then again, this attitude is prevalent in any small, historic town, but if unchallenged, could lead to the place being a monument to the past as those under the age of 60 move away to places where there is housing and facilities.

That being said, too much redevelopment could kill the character of the place, but that character has to come from within the community and its traditions rather than a NIMBY** attitude.

Still, I love the place, the people, the buildings - I've fallen in love with it's charm.

And I shed a tear as we left.

*A wong is a fairly rare term for a piece of common land in England, dating back to William the Conqueror and the Domesday Survey.

**Not in my back yard