Wow, what a trip! We’ve been bouncing around seeing friends and family for three weeks, staying somewhere different pretty much every night apart from just a couple of places. It’s been a real treat, getting to see everyone again. But it’s also made us both aware that we’ve already changed a bit, in just the 6 months we’ve been away. It’s also confirmed that we made the right choice by taking the leap and moving overseas to see new places. Not much has changed back home. Things will be much the same back here in the future if or when we return.
Warm spring weather welcomed us home, which was really nice.
The trip kicked off with Rich and Sam’s wedding in the Cotswolds, everyone looking rather dapper in tweed and flat caps. One of the older gents remarked on how he’d never before been at a wedding where there were more beards on the young chaps than on the olds.
Dad managed to fly over for a few weeks to be here at the same time as us which was awesome. We spent some good time catching up and sharing plans for the future.
Rose at the RWA exhibition of the sea in Bristol. It’s inspired me to start doing some more arty stuff!
Stayed a couple of night’s with Dan and Mel in their house project. It’s coming on bit by bit. Really interesting seeing what people are choosing to do with their lives as we go off on our own tangent. Dan and Mel bought a place just around the corner from ours in Totterdown, at a great price, that needed a fair bit of work. Right in the city, close to work, close to friends, but very urban. They are going to transform it into a really nice place, but it’ taking time. They want to get it done with and then go travelling.
Had a super fun ride around the usual trails with some of the regular Bristol bike crew; Mikey, Dan, Jason, Mark.
Jon and Helen have bought a big(ish) house in Exmoor with a small bit of land – quiet, remote and peaceful. On the way down to Exmoor to see them at their new place we stopped off to see Ben’s new field. He’s just bought 19-odd acres just south of Bristol – with a stream and waterfall at the bottom. A beautiful place, but there’s no planning permission and the ground had been abused by horse grazing for years, so he’s not quite sure what to do with it. At the moment he’s shacked up in a caravan parked in the trees at the top of the field. I’m looking forward to seeing what he does next with it.
The drive down to Exmoor was stunning. It’s still early enough in the year for the leaves to still be a little yellow – they’ve not yet filled up with chlorophyll, which gives a beautiful light. All the spring flowers are still out – with amazing bluebells in the woods.
I borrowed a bike from Jon and we had a great (short) ride on the moors which ended up in Porlock where we met the girls for a cream tea in a classic Devon tea-room garden with a thatched roof, next to a church, old chaps walking by and striking up conversation. This part of the world really is brilliant (in the sunshine…) – I could see myself getting a place here at some point. It’s easy to forget the grey, damp, windy months though…
It was also striking how we were the only young ones out and about. All the other yoof would have been at work.
Back in Bath we had a leisurely weekend hanging out with loads of relatives; I didn’t get any pics unfortunately. Iain and Helen were over from Canada, Bee came across from Sussex, Nick and Pip came over, and Dad was around too. It was sunny and warm so we spent pretty much the whole weekend outside. It’s great to see Mum and David so relaxed and at home in their new house.
Had some time with Pat, Mags and their girls, Rose’s buddy Liza, and with Box and Naomi. Little Billy being much more grown up than before. Here are a couple of pics from a day out at Warley weir near bath. The idea was to go swimming, but Box’s back is in a right state so he’s been out of action, and the girls didn’t fancy it. I just about managed to dunk myself under fully and splash back and forth so yeah, I think that qualified as swimming.
We then headed over to Winchester to see Rose’s Dad and his wife Jenny. I went off for a bike ride with Jen while Rose and her dad caught up. Again, we were blessed with a tranquil English spring day, cycling through quiet, flower filled villages and stopping for a picnic by the side of the road.
From Winchester we headed down to Weymouth to see Rose’s Mum and grandparents. We had another walk, this time along the Dorset cliffs near Ringstead. But we got soaked! As a birthday treat, Rose wanted to eat fish and chips out on the docks, so that’s what we did. Except Rose ended up choosing a battered sausage.
From Weymouth we dropped back into Bath to leave the car with Mum (thanks for lending it to us!), and then caught the train over to spend our last night with Nick and Pip before they took us to the airport. Again it felt strange leaving, having said so many hellos and goodbyes in just a few weeks – especially as this time it’s a one way ticket and we don’t know when we’ll be coming back.
So long, buddies and family. Hope to see you again soon!
Road and Ocean 