We Leaped And Landed Here

As it’s a Leap year and today is February 29th and the ‘Weekend Challenge’ is Leap, I thought I would make the leap and partake in the challenge. My wife and I made a huge leap together just a couple of years ago when we moved lock, stock and barrel to Wales.

The Whole Kit & Kaboodle

It’s nothing extraordinary really, some folk (and I have relatives who have) move the whole kit and kaboodle to far-flung corners of the earth like New Zealand, America, Australia or places I can’t even pronounce. Come to think of it, there are places here in Wales that I can’t pronounce. Back in 2016, I hadn’t been well and time had come to finish work and move on to the next part of our lives. Nothing was planned so we looked at it all as a new adventure and to grasp it, firmly, with both hands.

After Such A Long Time

After nearly 34 years of living in the same house, almost man and boy, we had watched our daughters grow up and move on and seen so many changes in the area, it was time for us to make the great leap into the unknown. We would be sad at parting with the home that had looked after us throughout our married life, though we certainly wouldn’t miss the neighbours from hell, their constant noise, mess-making and dumping of rubbish in our garden arguing and general mayhem on a daily basis. We couldn’t have a nice car as every morning there would either be a wing mirror missing, another scratch along the bodywork or a flat tyre.

Take A Leap

The crime rate in the area we were living was rising by the second! We had been affected badly by it too, so this was another reason for moving away. Initially, we had looked at moving just a few miles away, but we soon realised that we could end up in a similar situation to what we were trying to escape. Out of the frying pan and into the fire, as they say. So, we made a decision to take a leap and head for Wales. I drew a line on a map from Birmingham and made the outer edge so it was no more than a 2-hour journey. At least we could get back and visit relatives and friends and it wouldn’t be too much of a problem.

Delightful

Eventually, we found the delightful little house we now call home. Not only that, but the people here have been so welcoming and their friendship and support have been wonderful. It even took time to get used to people saying ‘Good Morning’ and asking how things were going when we first arrived. We were so used to the aggressiveness of city life with a usual greeting of ‘What you looking at?’ I’m pleased to say that things have gone from strength to strength since we made the leap.

Crime Rate

One of the things that helped make our decision in moving here was when we checked the crime rate for the area. After years of being surrounded by burglaries, muggings, stabbings and all sorts of misdemeanours, the only registered crime here was from 2015 when someone stole a pair of ladies tights from a garden washing line! I can live with that and I have to say, since we’ve been here, we have gone out a few times and forgot to lock the door, but we always come home and nothing has happened. We both agree this is the biggest and best leap of our lives that we’ve ever made. Long may it continue.

The main photograph was taken by my wife.

I’ve added this short video I put together from my wife’s filming of House Martins preparing to emigrate to South Africa. This was in 2018 when we were in the final throws of our first summer here.

This post was in response to the Weekly Prompt Challenge.

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29 Comments
  • SueW
    February 29, 2020

    You certainly took a leap of faith with such a life changing move. but I know how much you both enjoy living in your new home. Thank you, Trev for sharing with us. ????

    • Trev
      February 29, 2020

      We did, thank you, Sue.

    • susiesopinions
      February 29, 2020

      Just beautiful, and a great decision you made

      • Trev
        February 29, 2020

        Thank you, Susie. Yes, we are enjoying life and feel very fortunate. 🙂

  • Peter's pondering
    February 29, 2020

    A great leap Trev. I’m sorry about the tights – they didn’t even fit me!

    • Trev
      February 29, 2020

      You should have put them back, Peter. 😉

  • Bryntin
    February 29, 2020

    Your stories of where you were before is why I have never felt any reason to leave the quiet of my rural hidey-hole. Glad you have landed safely after your leaping!

    • Trev
      February 29, 2020

      Thank you, Bryntin. Yes, there’s a lot to be said for living in a rural hidey-hole. The cities are getting more aggressive places to live these days.

  • librepaley
    February 29, 2020

    What a lovely place to leap to.

    • Trev
      February 29, 2020

      Indeed it is, Libre, we are fortunate. Thank you 🙂

  • Invisibly Me
    February 29, 2020

    I’m sorry you lived in an area that was less than pleasant, shall we say. We’re wanting to move for similar reasons. Sounds like your leap paid off, so I hope it remains a happily ever after in Wales for you. I might have to join you over there! x

    • Trev
      February 29, 2020

      Thank you, Caz. Yes, it went downhill quite quickly and I dread to think how it would be now. You’d be welcome over here if you ever moved this way, everyone is so nice. 🙂

  • Rosaliene Bacchus
    February 29, 2020

    The global human population needs to take a great leap to address our climate emergency.

    • Trev
      February 29, 2020

      Yes, I agree with you there, Rosaliene. Thank you. 🙂

  • Yetismith
    February 29, 2020

    I took a leap too in 2018 when I suddenly decided I was coming back to New York State. My friends thought I had gone mad. How was I going to move 13 cats? I just got on and did it and it was the best move I ever made. I too had to get away from noise and crowds. It is a life changer. So glad you like your new life too.

    • Trev
      February 29, 2020

      Thank you, Yeti. I wished we could have done it years ago 🙂

  • Hope
    March 1, 2020

    You two really made a leap! It was the best leap the two of you ever made. Happy Leap day to you & Debbie!

    • Trev
      March 1, 2020

      We did, thank you, Hope. ????

  • Jerry
    March 2, 2020

    Looks like you made the right leap.

    The House Martins will stop off where we started our own leap in a leap year (though not a leap day). Just over 5,000 miles from Harare to a small town in the middle of England. Best move we ever made.

    • Trev
      March 2, 2020

      Excellent, well done, Jerry. Thank you

  • luisa zambrotta
    March 2, 2020

    A great leap
    ????????????

    • Trev
      March 2, 2020

      Thank you Luisa, ????

  • Lara/Trace
    March 7, 2020

    You are not a silly old sod to take such a leap!

    • Trev
      March 8, 2020

      It is one of the better things I’ve done. Thank you ????

  • kevinashton
    April 21, 2020

    A great photo at the top of your post Trev, did you take it?

    • Trev
      April 21, 2020

      Hi Kevin, it was either me or my wife, I can’t recall now. It’s a crossroads not far from our house and the signpost shows Glyndwrs Way for walkers and to other local villages. Thank you.

  • Craig White
    May 7, 2020

    Wonderful my friend ????????????

  • Dropner Blog
    July 29, 2020

    Hi Trev, I have nominated you for the Sunshine Blogger Award. See my latest blog post for info.

    • Trev
      July 29, 2020

      Thanks, but I have to say I don’t usually bother with the awards. 😉