Lovely Christmas in Kent now back to Wales

We had a lovely time visiting family over Christmas although being back at the house made me feel saddened and frustrated at the situation we are in.  The house should have sold by now. However on departure, I left with renewed hope and the belief that it will work out in the end.  We are now back staying in our first holiday rental for a week due to the last holiday let having an existing booking for Christmas and New Year. I am finding it tough having to keep packing up our stuff, cleaning each place we leave and moving into another rent.  I know its a means to an end but its hard.  Luckily in a weeks time we have secured a rental until the end of March back at the second group of holiday cottages we were staying at.  I'm not looking forward to moving yet again but at least it will be a little while before we need to do it again although lining up another temporary home will be harder coming April due to the holiday season starting.  Additionally I have an interview on the afternoon of the day we are due to move - no pressure!! We have looked at short term rental i.e 6 months but the set up costs are high plus you have to pay all the other bills such as council tax, water etc which we are already paying on one property.  We just can't afford it.  I am just going to have to hope we sell our house soon.

Coming back to views like this, feels me with confidence that we still made the right decision to move up here. Just have patience Claire.....

Christmas back in Kent with family

We ventured back to Kent to stay in our house for Christmas whilst visiting family.  It was particularly strange for the kids to come back to the house.  However they were extremely disappointed to find that I had packed everything in their rooms in preparation of our move - if it finally happens!! They also found out that Grandad has now moved into our house after he completed on his house a week before.  This in itself has caused implications.  His household contents are now in storage costing a hefty monthly rent.  We knew things were never going to be straight forward and the timings were never going to work out the same but we did not anticipate it taking so long to sell our house in the countryside.  Now we have to work out how to pay a mortgage on the house and rent on  holiday cottages with only one wage.  Our savings nearly already spent on the last few months rent and Christmas.  I have been applying for a couple of jobs in North Wales.  A lot of jobs stipulate you need to be billingual so have not been able to apply for many. Just wanting to do my bit, to contrubute not take a holiday.  Walking the dog and volunteering is all well and good but its not helping Mark who is working extra hours or his Dad Dave, who has currently been left behind to help us sell our house.  We are all hoping the New Year brings new hope and we get the chance to start working towards achieving our dream.

Family walk

Nice little walk we found in Betws-y-coed

Another glorious morning here in Wales x

Today

Bad day

Yesterday was a bad day.  One of those days when the reality kicks in and you start to lose your nerve.  I just couldn't shake the deep sadness. We had a viewing last week, unexpected at this time of year but sounded promising.  Had a call from the estate agents a couple of days after, he felt the property was too far out (thats the beauty of the village.  Only 2 miles out but surrounded by countryside, worth it I think!)  Another blow.  Then I made the mistake of finding out that a house in the village that went on the market a few days ago has already sold!! Probably because it had a massive garden.  You start wondering what is wrong with our house.  We've spent a lot of time and money on it.  We've had people react with a 'WOW'.  Again another blow.  With the kids kicking off because they are having to share a room and can't escape each other (at 11 (girl) and 13 (boy) they shouldn't be sharing), you just can't help questioning whether you have done the right thing moving to Wales.  In my heart its still the right thing to have done but I am starting to panic that we will never realise my dream, that we will be struggling like this for a while. Tomorrow is another day, lets just hope it brings some positive news.  We will get there in the end.  The harder the struggle, the greater the reward.

My brother visits us!

My brother Chris who lives in Manchester came to visit today along with his family.  We visited the RSPB reserve in Conway.  Its a completely different world, a little wildlife haven with the hum of the A55 behind it and the River Conwy and Conwy Castle the other side of it.  The kids were kids again!  Its so nice to see them playing.  It is so rare to have them behave so naturally.  Normally I am greeted everyday with moody teenagers with attitude.  We then went onto Betws y Coed.  The day light was fading and we started to get a feel of Christmas with the festive lights and fire places.

Volunteering

I am going to be starting volunteering today at a lovely community led organisation, Golyga Gwydyr in Llanrwst.  Went in to offer my services yesterday and had a lovely chat.  Such lovely people with great plans to help the local community.

Crisp mornings

We have been waking up to some beautiful crisp mornings recently.  Just adds a bit of a sparkle to the hills.  A tad tricky walking the dog especially when he pulls, nearly fell on my arse a few times.  Least I don't need to worry about anyone seeing me!! 😆✨

Family walk Trefriw

Took the family on part of a walk I found a few weeks ago.  After many complaints of having to walk up hills by the children (mainly Emily!), we reached the lake at the top.  Worth the hills! Kids because kids again instead of moody teenagers.  Playing skipping stones.

Bit of a blow

We had an offer on our house a couple of weeks ago and was waiting for them to sell their house.  Had a call from the estate agents today to inform us that they are withdrawing their offer because they have found another house more suitable. Gutted - just as we had started to think this could happen and we can start moving forward! Puts us in a bit of a predicament.  A bit more planning needed!  Onwards and upwards.  Things happen for a reason and we never expected things to run smoothly 😕  Took a walk up to Cadir Ifan Goch to help clear my worries. Can't believe how breathtaking it is today.

apologies for the finger in the photo but the sun was being a pain!

Back in Kent

Drove back to Kent to start packing up our house. 6 hours through the evening.  Arrived at 1am.  Forgot to inform the neighbours of my plans and couldn't park outside my house.  Prayed they didn't call the police when they see the lights on.  Mark's Dad will need to move into our house after his house completes to wait for our sale to go through.  We knew it was never going to be simple or straight forward.  It will all work out in the end.

Making a mess 

Toby sulking after having  a bath because he decided to roll in some other animals waste in our garden!

Grandad Fahy come to visit

Grandad came to visit us in Wales for a few days.  We took the opportunity to show him the sites and get an idea of the surroundings that he will soon be moving to!

The beautiful view again from Cadir Ifan Goch

Walk - Maenan

Went on a six mile walk today around some local roads.  Thought if I stick to the roads I shouldn't get too lost!  Climbed up some big hills but was rewarded with some lovely views of snow capped mountains.

Walk - Maenan - Cadair Ifan Goch (Giants Seat)

Decided to check out what local people keep mentioning about Cadair Ifan Goch which translated means the chair of the giant Red Ifan. Well I found out why people were mentioning it, what a view point.  You can see all along the valley and the Carneddau mountains. Could sit up here for hours to take it all in:

Fireworks!!

Llanrwst town hold a free fireworks display every year thanks to donations from local businesses so we decided to pop along.  What a fantastic display.  Went on for ages and there was never a pause!  Thank you Llanrwst Rotary Club.

Coedfa, Maenan - holiday let 2

Packed up and arrived at Coedfa.  Had a nice welcome chat with Dilys (owner).  Such a beautiful cosy cottage - perfect x

Last day at Cerniach Farm

Time to pack up and move onto the next holiday let.  What a beautiful morning, I'm going to miss these views:

Thank you so much to owners Sarah and Chris (and kids Sophie annd Elliot) at Cerniach Farm, Llanrwst for being so so welcoming and for allowing us to stay in your lovely holiday let.  We will be seeing you again soon when we return at Christmas x

Walk - Llanrwst - Trefriw- Lake Geirionydd - Llanrhychwyn - Llanrwst

With my Walking in the Conwy Valley book in hand I set off on a walk.  Now I decided I was going to try to be clever by mixing two routes so that I could start and finish in Llanrwst.  The walk to Trefriw was easy but then came the climb up into the hills:

Tasting the local cruisine

As a little treat and a reward for the kids for getting through their first week at their new school, we ventured down to Llanrwst and had a lovely meal at Ty Asha Balti House.  The lady there was very welcoming and friendly.  She seemed genuinely interested in knowing everyone.

Walk - Llanrwst - Betws y Coed - Gwydyr forest - Llanrwst

I decided to venture out on a walk I found on the internet.  Feeling a little nervous doing it all on my own.  I followed the Conwy river from Llanrwst through to Betws y Coed then up into the Gwydyr forest past Lyn Parc and back down into Llanrwst.  It was a beautiful day and the views and surroundings helped me feel a bit more relaxed.  The climb up into the Gwydyr forest was quite steep and I had to stop at one point to catch my breath (well I had walked a few miles already!).  I just kept thinking - just gotta find the lake, just keep going!  By now my feet were absolutely soaked.  My shoes had failed me and leaked water into them from walking along the long grass by the river.  They were literally squelching! Nothing I could do about this now.  I then went onto think how unprepared I was.  No money, no drink, no food, oh well I had my phone in case of emergency!!

Kids start their new school

The day has arrived.  The kids are starting their new Welsh school.  Mixed emotions for both the kids and me!  A bit of excitement but also anticipation.  Good luck Samuel and Emily x

Exploring Gwydir forest with the reluctant children!

I dragged the family out for a walk with the dog.  We drove into Gwydir forest and parked up at an old mining extraction building.  We decided to take a coordinated route which suggested was around 3 miles.  Although reluctant at first, the kids enjoyed the walk.  There were many mining ruins and quarries to explore.