NO REGRETS

Nearly six months now since we arrived in Devon. Do I Have  any regrets?  None at all, only that I did not do it years ago.  


What has winter been like?  What winter?  I have not felt like it has been winter.  I think we are in such a lovely area with so much open space that even on grey days everything is bright and of course seeing the sea is such a blessed bonus.  


I think another reason I have not notice winter is because there is never a day when I do not go out.  In London  I tended to hibernate a little in winter, if  I did not have to go out I would not; whereas here I long to go out and  cannot think of a day staying in.  I feel like I am missing something special if I do not go out. 


I do miss not having a job, I loved my job and felt like I was doing something with my life.  It fulfilled me and at the end of the day I felt like I had done something good for people. I miss that but still no regrets, just wish my kind of job was available here, but it is not. 


At last we feel we have found a church where we could settle.  Yesterday I met up with Tash and the kids after church and we took the beautiful scenic walk to Goodrington.  To have such beauty on the doorstep is so special and I feel very blessed.  


To pass the sea on the way to school for the kids is lovely.  Even doing something like going to the cinema is wonderful because we come out and there is the beach. Going shopping is not a chore because again, I pass the sea and I hear the monkeys as I park the car. Having such good supermarkets and the choice is great. 


The children have settled so well, they love school and are doing really well. Emily gets lots of party invitations so she has definitely made lots of friends. They have been able to continue their swimming lessons and Connor is doing really well and the teacher feels he has a real talent and could go far.  Again I feel the fact that they never have a day when we do not do something with them has made their life special here. It does not matter what the weather is like they will set up on the beach.  


Yesterday Tash said that if we had brought a blanket she would have been happy to set up on the beach for a few hours it was so beautiful.  


I guess out of everyone Peter is the one who has not really changed his life style.  He does not go out much, I am always asking him to come for coffee but he is too busy.  He has thrown himself into bowls (indoor at the moment) otherwise he is not doing anything different. I took him to see some fishing lakes the other week and he liked them, he said he would prefer rivers but he could fish at the lakes and enjoy it. 


I love waking to the sound of the birds singing, I even love the gulls making their noises. They are making nests in the chimneys opposite and tend to make a noise first thing in the morning, I love it. I like seeing the sea from my window and I love overlooking the woods. 


To me I want to grab hold of everyday and make the most of it while I can. To stay in is to waste time which is so precious. I know that I will never be complacent about living here, I will always feel that the Lord has blessed me beyond all I could ask or imagine. 


THANK YOU FATHER. 

BLESSED

So far we have managed to miss the snow and I hope we continue to miss it.  Tonight as it was getting dark we went down to the beach and the waves were breaking over the railings. The kids loved running from the sea, they always think it is special going to the beach at night.

We have seen so many rainbows since we arrived.  Sometimes they are over the hills in front of the house but also we see a lot out at sea.  They are so clear and sometimes even double ones.

Sunday we took the cliff walk from Paignton Harbour to Goodrington, it was sunny and much warmer than it had been.  The views were spectacular and I had forgotten my camera. There were a few places open for coffee.

I still cannot believe that everyday I can see the sea, but also I love the fact that in a few minutes we can be in countryside.

Another thing I love is seeing the stars.  There is so little light pollution that we get a beautiful view of the stars.

I even see Moses some days.  We have an elderly man with long white hair and beard and he wears a long white robe and carries a staff. All the cars bib their horns at him and he waves.  Apparently everyone calls him Moses.

My only regret..... that I did not move to the sea years ago.