I am so terribly sorry. It's hard to believe that someone would do this. Anyone who steals tools is doubly wrong. Now you must always worry about leaving things there. It is really shocking. I was so looking forward to seeing you too.
All my best.

Well, that is terrible, to say the least. It's not just the loss of significant tools/amenities (bad enough), but the added pain of loss of trust in your neighbors and feelings of security.

I am treasurer of a 400-acre non-profit nature preserve maintained for biological field studies that was once a homestead. It is in a remote area. We had a break-in a few years ago where some of the old farm artifacts and tools of the original homestead were stolen (not much else of monetary value there). Perpetrator turned out to be the drug-addicted son of a speculator/developer owning adjacent property. The police found our goods when they arrested the son for another crime, some months later, so the goods were eventually returned.

I hope your thief is similarly caught. In the case of the nature preserve, it helped our peace of mind a lot just to know who it was.

So sorry to hear about this horrible affront to your life, possessions and privacy Camps. I just want to say though, don't give up hope. It sounds to me like what was taken was quite a bit of property that is quite unique and that might have to be "fenced" for the thieves to make their illicit profit. It is quite possible that the police are aware of people in the area who could be the culprits, or who might be approached to do the fencing. Police forces are often very adept at developing leads to find thieves.

While definitely not certain, it is indeed possible that the case might be solved and that you might eventually get some or all of your possessions back. It looks bleak when this type of thing happens and it is natural to think all is lost. There is much that the police may know or be doing that they cannot share, and so it may seem they can do nothing. But that does not mean they won't try to solve the case, or get a lead and get your possessions back. Lets wish them luck and send thoughts of support to you and to them.

I say this because I worked in law enforcement in Canada for many years. While not overly familiar with the British Police services, I know they have good training and a reputation as being very good at what they do. Don't give up hope.

Best Wishes, Rick

That IS a horrible shock, and I'm so sorry you are going through this. The loss of your tools and stove and sense of safety is truly terrible. Did the police say there is any chance the perps may be caught?

All my best, Anne

I am so sorry, Camp. I'd be driving around and checking out the neighbors on my own if I were you. A friend's horse trailer and all her saddles and tack were stolen in broad daylight, and that's what we did. We spread the word to everyone we could think of and drove around likely neighborhoods. We actually found the trailer, called the cops, and they recovered everything. I hope you are so lucky.

You have my sympathies for your loss. I know many of the things must have been irreplaceable.

Awful, awful, awful. Stealing is such a violation of basic decency, not to mention the economic fallout in your lives, which sounds significant. I hope the police find the thieves. I'm sorry this happened.
I hope your mood and your situation get better soon! I know that's not reasonable, but still....
Melissa

How awful! I feel bad that there is nothing I can do but wish for the best as far as the police case is concerned and offer some online emotional support.

I've always liked the idea that the best revenge is living well, so I hope that you and your husband are able to overcome this bump in the road and create your dream and enjoy it despite those who may try to stand in the way.

Any chance insurance on your regular residence also covers your possessions temporarily at other locations? For example, homeowner's insurance usually covers items in storage or loaned out...

Agree with talking it up among your neighbors & such - get it on the grapevine. Need to share info of thieves in the area & often helps to track them down, as seldom an isolated incident.

Similar event in my past sent me reeling with shock, too. So sorry & hopes for recovery!

This post was edited by vasue on Wed, Jun 4, 14 at 11:44

A few years ago my sister-in-law's car was burgled (there we Americans go again changing nouns into verbs). At my suggestion she checked out Ebay for her more distinctive items and eventually found them listed there. Since some of your tools are antique/old they should be easy to distinguish. Needless to say if you do find them, contact the police. No self help here, please. We care about you.

Cath

Oh, Campanula! I am so sorry! I wish I could do something tangible to help you and your partner. Even though we've never met in person, the burglary of your trailer hits me as it would a neighbor. You and the others on this forum are such special people who have shared so much--hilarious experiences, beautiful experiences, and hard experiences. Your resilience and sense of proportion and humor always impress me and you and your partner are obviously shoulder to shoulder kinds of life travelers, so I have no doubt you will weather this hardship, but I wish for all the world that this had not happened to you. I won't elaborate on crimes and the damage they can cause or speculate about the selfishness or desperation of the burglars. I'll just say that I'm so very, very sorry about it all and especially sorry about the irreplaceable family tools.
With great care and concern,
Carol (and my partner in life and gardening who doesn't post but follows your stories)

This post was edited by PortlandMysteryRose on Wed, Jun 4, 14 at 14:38

Camps,
Very sorry to hear about all this. I know how tight things are. I'm sure you'll persevere through this you seem to me to be that kind of person.
Chin up and cheer up, dear!
Nik

This post was edited by nikthegreek on Wed, Jun 4, 14 at 14:40

So very very terrible! Nothing to say, really, other than I wish you were here to receive a hug.

Also, vasue has a point re insurance. I believe you are renting in Cambridge? If you have renter's insurance on the contents, etc. of your house, it might cover property in the horse box - I am pretty certain that a homeowner's policy would. Also, if your horsebox was ever towed by a vehicle with insurance on it, I would also get your ins broker to check your auto insurance. Insurance is weird, and sometimes covers things you would not think it would. I presume you have already checked this out, but if not, it is harmless to ask.

Jackie

I am so sorry this happened. Anyone who has had valuable personal possessions stolen knows how sick it can make one feel.

I haven't posted much on this forum, but have been reading it for a while, and always enjoy hearing about your garden.

I hope things are less bleak than they seem, and that the police are able to recover at least some of your things- especially the irreplaceable stuff.

I'm very sorry to hear this. It is a violation of your home and piece of mind, not just the loss of valuable items that you really need.

Oh, Camp, I'm so sorry! I know it doesn't help but I've been there and know how devastating it can be. My heart goes out to you.

I am so sorry how discouraging. I hope you contact the resale shops and give them a list of the items. Hopefully they get returned

We used to have a garage full of antique tools and other modern tools. Pretty much just the junk was left by the time I started cleaning them out. A few vintage saws, drills, a plane and a level. The rest vanished. Dad used to buy to love to buy cheap Chinese $5 socket wrench sets. I had a big stack of them, went to grab one and gone....only set left was the one I had here. I have to think the person who stole them has no idea of value and just was looking for something to sell for drugs or booze.

Really sorry to hear this. May the rose be with you....

So very sorry to hear this. Speaking f rom experience, it takes time to process the shock, please take care of yourself. Best wishes.

Camp, I'm so sorry that happened to you. While the loss of possessions is annoying and will take unplanned expenses to replace, I'm most upset for you about the invasion aspect. I do hope that this can somehow be solved. Was there, perhaps, anything very distinctive that you could identify if you saw it?

Grrr...there's "all kinds" of humans out there in this world, and some of them are giving the rest of us a bad name.

:-/

~Christopher

Oh no! I'm terribly sorry to hear that. I hope you can find a sense of security and stability even before you find the missing items. What an awful ordeal to go through. My best wishes, Campanula.

Jay

Oh, how absolutely horribly rotten! I am appalled at what has happened to you, Camp. To have your refuge in the woods violated - and worst yet, to lose those tools with so much family history, value that no one else will be able to appreciate so well...why, it is just a crying shame. I know you will continue to put one foot in front of the other and get on with your life, as all of us must when awful things happen, but I hope cyber sympathy and hugs can help a tiny bit.

So very very sorry to hear this Camps. What an invasion of private space. Please take care and I can only hope that all is returned.

Diane

Who steals a stove? This is just disgusting. I really feel for you.

I do think it's worth door knocking your neighbours though, to let them know. Also, who knows what sort of old junk they have sitting around in their sheds that they might like to send your way (old tools and a stove, perhaps?). I know I have a huge old Aga sitting in my shed that is taking up space and I'd happily give it to you (alas, wrong side of the world).

I rarely post, but read a lot and always enjoy your postings, so I feel that I know you a little. I want to add my condolences to everyone else's. I feel the invasion also because you're like a neighbor, even if only in cyberspace. You seem like the kind of person whose spirit rushes out to meet life and wrestle it to the ground, and I'm pretty sure you'll overcome this latest blow, but how downright unfair and unjustified. I'm so sorry.

Camp, I'm deeply sorry for this blow to you and your family. I've had two cars stolen, but your loss is much worse because your home was invaded and you were robbed of objects and tools necessary to your life there. The mental fallout is equally bad. Words aren't really adequate but I hope you can feel how much we all care here, and hope that somehow your possessions will be returned to you. Curses on whoever did this to you.

Ingrid

Campanula, I am so very sorry to hear this news. I'll bet that bad as the loss of tools and the wood burning stove is, the loss of faith in your fellow man is an even worse blow. I am thinking thoroughly spiteful things about the lowdown dirty crooks who did this to you. They had to know they were stealing from someone who needed what they took.

I'm sorry we'll all miss meeting you later this month, but of course I understand. My very best wishes for you and your family in recovering from this difficult turn of events.

Folly

Having someone break in and steal thing that don't belong to them is a true violation and its especially awful when its antiques such as yours that cant be replace. I had a similar experience a few years ago and my home owners insurance covered the damage but only time can take care of your feelings of shock and loss. I am sorry that this happened to you, take care. I hope the people who did this are caught and your things recovered.

I am so sorry, Campanula. That is awful indeed. I've had so many problems over the years with intruders on my property,at least one of whom was known to the police.It's such a scary, horrible feeling...and in your case,the b#####d also stole stuff that was of important financial and sentimental value to you. I do hope that at least you will get your stuff back. Best wishes, bart

A horsebox is like a trailer/camper/motorhome?

Here is a link that might be useful: Google Images - Horsebox

Oh, such kind words and thoughts - truly comforting. And always, the universe holds us all in a balance so there are some very posiitive aspects to this.-, not least, the outpouring of concern and sympathy which I find deeply moving. All of my children lost stuff too but they have rallied together with ideas for fundraising (any excuse for a party) and car boot sales (where we can also keep a weather-eye out for our stuff). Eldest has gone into a mad propagating phase - he plans to take 200 rose cuttings and root them as one of the 'perks' on something called Indiegogo (?) and a generous tree surgeon has offered me a brushcutter which needs a refurb but hey, I am not fussy. Have been scrabbling about for extra work (easy enough at this time of year) and my family have really pulled together. Been looking out for old woodburners on Ebay - ours was still shiny and new so we will use the *Cambridge bike strategy from now on.
As proof that hope remains alive and well, I have sown melons - albeit ones which are known to be tough and hardy. (as well as having a great name - 'Collective Farm Woman') - an act of true optimism (or crazy delusion). Am off to the allotment right now to gloat over the tomatoes - with a bit of luck and sunshine, I will be eating the first sun-warmed tomato in the first week in July......and there will be the first picking of broad beans (my favourite vegetable) and raspberries today......so really, we are still blessed with all the good stuff.
Again, thank you all so much.
With love, SuzyX

Rose conferencees - take a lot of pictures.....I will mentally transport myself through the aetheric realm, hovering over your shoulders (that sounds a bit weird, mind).

* Cambridge bike strategy - everyone cycles in Cambridge and all of us have had at least 5 bikes stolen (they go round and round in perpetual motion). Anyone with a shiny expensive looking bike may as well leave it unlocked with a big fluorescent sign saying 'Steal me'. Hence, we remove any stickers, shiny extras, smart saddles etc. to make them look as old and tatty as possible - it is common to spend more money on the locks than on the bikes.

Just wanted to also add I am so sorry to hear about your things being violated and stolen !! How awful ! I can't imagine how some one could do that and sleep at night. I wish for you to have everything replaced even better than before ! Love reading your postings even if I don't know a thing about gardening where you live .

I guess the indiegogo fundraiser would only work for UK donors thanks to plant quarantines & shipping costs, but I hope you'll post the link for UK readers when that's set up. That's a wonderful way to fund-raise, but organizing a state-side version might be too complicated.

Am glad that you're sounding less upset. Homegrown veggies- and gardening in general- can compensate for a lot of what's wrong with the world.

I'm glad that it is not cold now and you have time to get another stove. Glad that you were not there and they did not hurt you. I hope your things will return to you. These hard beginning days will hopefully be little stories you tell the magazine when you are going strong later on. Wish you didn't have to live with it now. I hope your plants are well and the weather is kind. A lady in New Jersey was killed over 8,000.00 cash by her 2 gardeners. I'm glad you are safe and your horse box is still there.

* Cambridge bike strategy

That's terrific! In some locations here in the colonies that's called "driving a beater".

My condolences and best wishes for a swift recovery.

I am so sorry. So sorry.

I . . . it is simply unimaginable.

Camp I am so sorry.
Must be something wrong when the thieves are steeling tools. Kind of an oxymoron or something.
As others have said, thank goodness you weren't there and are safe.
Take care.
Jeannie

Briefly emerging from Lurkdom to offer sympathy for such horrible, mean-spirited goings on. Over the years, we've been through something similar, so understand a little how this feels. Hope you recoup your losses and glad to see your spirits unsquashed.

I love roses, but no garden subject imho yields such satisfying off-topic tangents - thank you so very much for those.

So terribly sorry for your loss. Could you post notices of a reward leading to catching the thieves, post notices around, ad in newspapers........if a reward, even a small one is offered.....usually this type of lowlife will talk about the crime and all it takes is a greedy snitch to try for the reward.......never hurts to make the effort. Check pawn shops, etc. as they will try to fence it...........or maybe put ad in paper saying Wanted - tools....another saying Wanted - wood stove......who knows???

Worst thing is losing things from your parents......cant be replaced. I had a house fire 20 yrs. ago - lost everything. Just have to keep moving forward.......best of luck to you and my sympathy for your loss.
Judith

This just breaks my heart--Please don't let it damage your wonderful spirit. You are a joy to all of us.
Love you, Florence