The Peak District

Sorry for the lack of posts lately but it has been so much fun exploring this part of the world I have spent very little time blogging (and the not so smart me took on a brochure and annual report during these 2 weeks ;(

My cousin Richard's wedding was a fantastic day. The church in Spondon was beautiful and the vicar a real character. John and one of my cousins and I had a real giggle with flashbacks of the Bishop from Monty Python... he was fantastic! The reception was full of good food, drink and visiting with family we hadn't seen in years. The next day we went to the village were Tina & Richard live. It is called Shardlow and it was so quaint and beautiful. House boats along the canal, 6 pubs(!) and beautiful homes.

We headed over to the Peak District and are here until Friday. The hiking is phenomenal and the scenery is gorgeous. We explored Chatsworth House (fantastic Farm Shop) and rambled through some of the 1000 acre grounds doing our best to avoid sheep poo! They were in the process of restoration and it is so fascinating. We all loved checking out the painstaking process of restoring a house (and all its contents) of this size and age and dressing up in some period costumes.

Yesterday we became members of National Trust. I am so very excited!!! There are so many places to explore not only in the UK but they are affiliated with organizations all over the world. There are also volunteer and support groups which I plan to join once we are settled in Devon where you can work on anything from dry-stone walling to assisting at concerts to fundraising through to specialist work involving skilled crafts.

Our first property we explored was Little Moreton Hall. A 15th century half moated house in Congleton (near Manchester). It was insane! Michelle - you know how you said nothing in your house was level? Check out this place!!!!

Time to go on a hike. It is a misty, rainy day so better get the rain gear out!

We're here!

We are here! The internet connection where we are staying at is only available in the office during their office hours so this is the first chance I've had to upload a post. The flight was ....ok...the only really good thing I can say about flying Airtransat is that is over and we don't have to fly with them again! The kids had a stomach upset the day after we arrived but we all seem to be settling in now and are mostly over the jetlag.

Have had a fantastic last couple days exploring the local area; Farnham and the Farnham castle (some parts are over 900 years old!), Alice Holt Forest, checking out all the products in the grocery store and visiting with my cousin. John is loving the driving and the landscape and buildings are beautiful. We are feeling really good and very happy to be here. So many people have been really nice to us and very chatty and interesting. Asking us our story and us learning theirs.

We have only had one negative person who was really upset that we were moving here. She worked as a cashier in Sainsbury and asked if we were on holiday. I told her we were moving to Devon from Canada and she got all serious and looked me in the eye and said "get back on the plane, LEAVE; this country is terrible, do not let your kids grow up here" It was so sad and disappointing to see someone so against her own country. I can see being frustrated with politics and financial climate but to be so angry at her life was upsetting. She even said "and to top it all off we are so close to Europe!" I guess there is some descent in the ranks about being part of the EC. United we stand, divided we fall came to my mind.

We are going on a family mt bike ride in the Alice Holt Forest on Thursday, Paultons theme park for Tyko's 6th bday on Wed and to Lakeside shopping centre to check the ridiculous hugenousness of it all today.

Friday we leave for Derby....

for more photos of our adventures make sure you check out our Flickr page.

Going Away Party

Going Away Party, a photo by tykolulu on Flickr.

There is a great quote I came across a couple weeks ago and it just summed up perfectly how I feel about the community of friends I have made in the Valley.

Each friend represents a world in us, a world not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born. ~ Anais Nin

To all of you who came to my going away party last night (and the ones who couldn’t make it but left beautiful words in my memory book) I am so thankful to have the opportunity and honour to have you in my world. Your kind words and actions have made me feel very loved... and what could be better than that?!

Life is a journey and each decision we make will open doors to new experiences. This is a new door for me but the ones that have been opened by you will not close. I believe our paths will cross again and our lives will be richer for it.

Thank you.

The move and on our way!

Kitchen move, a photo by tykolulu on Flickr.

The move is done! It was a crazy week of painting, sorting, packing and moving. Not a positive experience in the last week or even the whole process for us with the realtors. I wonder if it ever is. Respect is a 2 way street and unfortunately the agents on both sides have lived up to their stereotypes.

BUT we are done and happy to be on the move. This week is a decompress, a time to reflect and say farewell to this amazing community of friends, colleagues and landscape. Our ties here are strong with my family still living here and the great people we have made friends with.

We still don't have a home for June yet. Anyone know any places to rent between Barnstaple and Ilfracombe (Braunton being our preference ;)?


Next posting will be once we hit the road!