What Do You Do All The Time?

Since moving to Wales and in particular, almost the middle of nowhere, with no buses, no shops but there is a pub, I’m often asked, ‘What do you do all the time?’ An initial look at where we are and I suppose the question is understandable. After all, it’s over two miles to the end of the road which leads to an ‘A’ road that takes you back to civilisation.

Serene

We moved here from Birmingham, (which is still considered the second city in the U.K.), thinking we would have a quiet life compared to living among a couple of million others in suburbia. It wasn’t really living but surviving. I hadn’t been well and the opportunity arose to move away to a more serene lifestyle especially as I was reaching retirement age. Hmmmmmmm, we were in for a shock, albeit a pleasant one.

Time Flies

Although 5 years have almost passed since our arrival, we both agree that we wouldn’t change a thing and still pinch ourselves every morning that we wake up in a part of the world that can only be described as heaven. Those first few days of November 2017 were flippin’ cold, proper brass monkey weather. Believe it or not, we didn’t have a wood burner, just a very expensive (well, not that expensive compared to what’s happening now) central heating system and an electric warm air heater that only blew out cold air!

Well, Trevor

We got through it and even survived the ‘Beast from the East’ in February 2018. We didn’t know a soul, but my dear wife soon started meeting people and getting us involved in local activities. I remember my first meeting with a lady who is probably a little younger than myself and has lived in the village all of her life as did her parents, grandparents and all those before. She introduced herself and I can recall every word, ‘Well, Trevor, if you think you’ve come here to retire, you can think again!’ There’s not much I could say to that except that her words certainly were prophetic.

Community

Although the intervention of Covid put the kibosh on a lot of social activities as it did everywhere, as soon as we had the all-clear, everyone certainly got back into the swing of things. With activities sprouting up all over the place there are posters to be made, website updates, rounders tournaments to attend and a never-ending stream of playing live music. We both love it and know how blessed we are.

Natter

One of the things I really enjoy is when someone ‘pops in.’ A cup of tea, a chat and put the world to right. It’s a community and one that all of the community here love. Excuse me, I must go, there’s someone knocking at the door.

If you’d like to know more about Living in Wales: Website.