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.

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45 Comments
  • Anonymous
    September 2, 2022

    Long may you enjoy it, Trev

    • Trev
      September 2, 2022

      Thank you. 😊

  • derrickjknight
    September 2, 2022

    That was me. I have no wish to remain anonymous

    • Trev
      September 2, 2022

      Thank you, Derrick 😊

  • Lauren
    September 2, 2022

    It sounds just lovely.

    • Trev
      September 2, 2022

      Thank you, Lauren and it is. 😊

  • SueW
    September 2, 2022

    Happy, content, appreciative, what more can anyone ask for.
    I’m delighted your move has worked out so well for you both 🙂

    • Trev
      September 2, 2022

      Thank you, Sue. 😊

  • willedare
    September 2, 2022

    A pleasure to get a glimpse into your life in Wales!

  • skyenatureblog
    September 2, 2022

    What a great post Trevor. It is a wonderful experience being welcomed by your new community.
    Thank you
    Sue

    • Trev
      September 2, 2022

      Thank you, Sue. 😊

  • Going Batty in Wales
    September 2, 2022

    I have heard rumours that the Welsh natives are an unwelcoming lot – excluding incomers by using their own unintelligible, unpronouncable language. But like you I have found the opposite to be true. If you are snooty and superior they may leave you alone (politely) and yes, there are places where they use their first language for preference but in my experience they always make an effort to speak English if there is someone present who can’t speak Welsh. In a rural area our neighbours are the ones who will come to our rescue if there is a problem and community is very important. Well done for fitting in and joining in.

    • Trev
      September 2, 2022

      Thank you. We have found here that the community are welcoming with open arms. It’s when people come from ‘off’ as they say, that try to change everything which is understandable, they get upset. We love it and all that goes on here, we are truly blessed. Thank you. 😊

  • Jim Flanigan
    September 2, 2022

    Sounds like a lovely retirement.

    • Trev
      September 2, 2022

      It really is, thank you, Jim 😊

  • Sarah Angleton
    September 2, 2022

    That sounds wonderful! My husband and I both grew up small town people and thought we always would, but work circumstances took us to bigger places and then a desire for a bigger school district with more opportunities for our kids has kept us here. We do long for the countryside, though. Someday we’ll get back.

    • Trev
      September 2, 2022

      Thank you, Sarah. Hopefully you will get back to the country. 😊

  • Peter's pondering
    September 2, 2022

    The question we always ask when dreaming of a “quiet” country life is “I wonder if Sainsbury’s deliver there?”

    • Trev
      September 2, 2022

      Yes, they do deliver as do most of the others. Thank you, Peter. 😊

  • luisa zambrotta
    September 2, 2022

    A visitor from Porlock?!?😉

    • Trev
      September 2, 2022

      Ah, Porlock. I think that place has the highest percentage of pensioners in a village in England. It’s quite mixed here, pensioners and people of a working age. Thank you, Luisa. 😊

  • Invisibly Me
    September 2, 2022

    My folks used to live in Birmingham and getting out of that urban jungle to a smaller town many, many years ago was apparently very refreshing for them. Now we’re in a slightly bigger town and I’m already wanting to live in the middle of nowhere; no news, no rudeness, no problem neighbours, no stress. Aaah, bliss! I’m now rethinking this and would like to move to your neck of the woods in Wales. Got room for a little one, Trev?

    I’m really, really glad that the move has been such a positive one all in all. It sounds like there’s a real community vibe there, which is odd these days and pretty appealing. I can see why you love it. And I’m pleased you can still make a little time for your blogging family, too! 😉

    Caz xx

    • Trev
      September 2, 2022

      Thank you, Caz. It’s a really friendly place and the polar opposite to living in the urban jungle. I’m sure there’s always property either for sale or rent within the area, you would be made most welcome if you moved here. And if you can sing, well, there’s a spot for you at the many local open mics. Thank you, Caz😊

  • SusanR
    September 2, 2022

    A drastic change in lifestyle — that sounds like pure bliss. Enjoy!
    (I’m intrigued by your “You might also like” carousel. Very nice.)

    • Trev
      September 2, 2022

      Thank you, Susan. You will have to refresh my memory about the carousel part? Thank you. 😊

  • June Lorraine Roberts
    September 2, 2022

    I get asked, “what do you do all day.” I have to check my calendar so I can give them a list 🙂

    • Trev
      September 2, 2022

      Lol 😂 Thank you, June. 😊

  • Rosaliene Bacchus
    September 2, 2022

    Love the spirit of community in your little bit of heaven 🙂

    • Trev
      September 2, 2022

      Me too, thank you Rosaliene 😊

  • Carolyn
    September 2, 2022

    You were a year ahead of me, as I moved to the country in Sep ’18. People thought I had lost my mind. I just made the decision one day and overcame considerable hurdles to make it happen but it was absolutely the right thing. Our community is not like yours, so I don’t have the social newtork though from little villages in England when I was kid, I know what that is like. I think you are in the right place, Trevor. I’m glad you made the move. And that you took to the blogosphere!

    • Trev
      September 2, 2022

      Thank you, Carolyn, glad it has happened to you too. Keep on keeping on 😊

  • bitaboutbritain
    September 3, 2022

    Parts of Wales we have visited have been among the friendliest places I have ever been! Given the choice, I’d certainly consider moving to Wales. So glad you have found your haven on earth.

    • Trev
      September 3, 2022

      Thank you, Mike and I agree wholeheartedly with your words. 😊

  • Herb
    September 4, 2022

    Well, it certainly sounds idyllic, except for the one person, of course, but we all need a character to spice things up a bit. Do you encounter her often?

    • Trev
      September 4, 2022

      Thank you, Herb. I do see her occasionally and she seems to have mellowed a little in the past couple of years. 😊

  • Brenda Davis Harsham
    December 13, 2022

    Sounds like a lovely lifestyle.

    • Trev
      December 13, 2022

      It is, thank you, Brenda. I am truly blessed 😊

  • Erene
    December 23, 2022

    I’m enjoying reading your story, Trev
    I’ll get back to your website soonish, must be tomorrow )))

    • Trev
      December 23, 2022

      Thank you, Erene. 😊

      • Erene
        December 24, 2022

        The pleasure is mine, Trev.

        • Trev
          December 24, 2022

          🙏🙏🙏

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    January 2, 2023

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    • Trev
      January 2, 2023

      Thank you, happy new year. 😊

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      December 11, 2023

      Thank you very much. 🙂