Moves Afoot! Part 5 - Moving Emotions

Throughout the whole of this little series of blog posts about our move, I haven't mentioned the relatives and friends that we would be leaving or the range of emotions felt about the move itself. In fact, this time last year as mentioned at the start of this series, a move couldn't have been further from my thoughts. As an acquaintance said to me, you get to a certain age and you're comfortable where you are, with friends and relatives around you and your social/spiritual activities sorted, a move doesn't figure very high in the scheme of things.

Path to Bishopstone 

But it was very much a 'why not?' moment when Alan and I first discussed it. We had spent our last holiday at different Camping and Caravan Club sites, getting into conversations with people who had, as far as I was concerned, done amazing things after retiring - moving from one end of the country to another; going off in their motor-homes for months at a time either around England or abroad; or who were just enjoying life doing their own thing.

Much as I love Sussex, it's people and countryside, my first love has always been the South West.When we started going down to Yealmpton over the past couple of years, that love rekindled to an extent that surprised me. Then to find that Alan was also harbouring similar feelings meant that serious conversations started to occur, remembering how we considered a move a decade before to Tavistock, which, for various reasons didn't happen. Knowing that the years can just pass so quickly made it all the more important to move sooner rather than later. I didn't really wanted to spend my later years thinking 'what if'.

St Andrew's Church

It was a move not taken lightly. We had a lovely bungalow. I was heavily involved in St Andrew's Church in Bishopstone and loved going to the services there and doing 'my bit'. I loved (and still
love!) the church members and all who visited the church. I was in a book club that was associated with the Mother's Union at St Peter's (part of our United Benefice) and enjoyed discussing the books we read, but more importantly, the fellowship with others (and the cups of tea/coffee and biscuits!). I was also in a writing club which was thoroughly enjoyable and increased my confidence in writing, with again some wonderful companions spending time together with something we all loved.

Church Choir Friends

I had friends in and around where I lived where I used to chat to or to pop in for a cup of tea/coffee or, in hot days like this a suitably cooling drink. We encouraged each other, and with some, who I got to know really well, helped each other out when problems struck. I valued their company and support.

I know it was a shock for many when I announced our decision to move. But there are times when a big step like this needs to be taken and you just hope that those friendships are rooted enough to stand the distance. And you realise that it's down to yourself to keep the contact going as much as you can.

An estate agent said to us when we had our house valued, "Enjoy the journey." And I have gained from this 'moving journey' we have been on and look forward to the future - in both the ups and the downs. But I will miss seeing the friends that I have made over the years in the South East. Most of all I will miss being near my step son and his wife, together with the grandchildren. But the world is a lot smaller than it used to be with trips to Sussex for camping a possibility for us together with trips by family and friends to Devon to see the beautiful area in which we now live.

Church Members Socialising