We’ve been away once again and have paid our daughter Hannah a visit in north Wales for the third time this year. With our latest trip to Wales I wonder if Rachel and I are secretly falling in love with the area. And why wouldn’t you? With stunning scenery, a beautiful coast line, interesting communities and a feeling of being a step away from the hustle and bustle, why wouldn’t anyone in our position fall for the place?
Mind you, it was an interesting twist was taking my Mum with us. Ahem. Taking your elderly mother on a little holiday is an interesting thought and, being serious for a moment, full of tender memories. She was like a youngster by remarking all the time about “wow they’ve got loads of slate here” or perhaps “everyone seems so Welsh up here”….
By chance we met Jo and Jenny who we have known of before. They kindly invited us for morning coffee at their house and it was interesting to hear their story, or perhaps I should say their stories and their similarities to us? They are a few steps ahead of us with retirement, moving house and family life. And yet you can’t help be struck by their clear faith and following where God wants them to be.
Jo and Jenny decided to “upsize” on their retirement, instead of the usual “downsizing” we all come to expect; this was a smart move on their part. They had swapped their family house elsewhere for a larger, more interesting house on the Menai Straits so they can have a good number of visitors come to stay. All good food for thought.
They have also captured a dream of a place to live. Rachel has known for years how I would yearn for somewhere with a great view, somewhere to sit, daydream, read a book and watch the clouds roll by over a stunning landscape or seascape. You can see from the photo of their dining area how they have accomplished this. So many of the things they said touched us as being important things to consider, to make sure we approach our retirement right with a good, healthy outlook on life and those around us.
Apparently Hannah has taken to sending Jo and Jenny a text message to wave to her as she sails beneath their house on the Straits. This made me smile and I’d love to be a fly on the wall to see this happen. Even more, I’d love to have a place of my own and see Hannah go sailing / paddling / windsurfing by!
It was hard leaving Hannah there this time and I had such a mixture of feelings. Sometimes it’s hard to leave your daughter feeling a bit wistful as we drove away. As far as we can tell Hannah will be leaving North Wales in a few weeks and ready to start her next job near Portsmouth (another sailing instructor sailing job).
My mind quickly wandered as the journey started, heading back home on Friday. Rachel drove to start of with and I was nestled down in the back. I watched the coastline disappear and felt a little sad leaving Hannah there. We followed the A5 as it headed through the mountains and this is always so spectacular and beautiful. Mum loved it and hadn’t been to that part of Wales before. The miles rolled by and I too was a tad wistful as this was another of those precious family times.