31st March Hamsterley Forest

Carolyn and John took us to Hamsterley Forest today for a walk.  It is a mecca for mountain bikers with lots of routes ranging in difficulty but still with plenty of areas for walkers to go.  There was still loads of snow around and the temperature didn’t get above freezing all day.  Our walk into the forest was a bit of a challenge, with John nearly falling a couple of times as it was so muddy but once we got onto the proper trails it was fairly easy underfoot.

It was a lovely walk and there were lots of people about, dog walkers, young children with their parents enjoying the countryside, couples and cyclists all enjoying this wonderful country. 

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When we got back to the house Carolyn had made a lovely roast dinner.  We’ve been treated so well by them both and it feels like we’ve known them all our lives.  Carolyn has been my knitting tutor over the last few days too – I’ve learnt the correct way to hold the needles, as before I was holding them as if I was writing – no wonder it’s taken me forever to knit!  I can now undo a line of knitting if I’ve made a mistake and know how to go back a couple of rows and pick up the stitches to correct a mistake. 

Also, I know how to identify what different stitches look like so I know if I should be knitting or purling, instead of having to count back every time.  All you who have had someone to teach you how to knit don’t know how lucky you are! During Carolyn’s tuition I noticed I’d forgotten to decrease so I’d ended up with 20 extra stiches – I’ve started again!

I’ve been given some really helpful advice and feel confident now to carry on – thanks Carolyn! 

About Dean

Angela and I decided that there was more to life than working hard to keep up the payments on the mortgage, to pay the gas, electric, phone bills etc. etc. SO............ In 2008 we sold our house, I initially took a year off (Unpaid) and Angela handed in her notice! We bought a motorhome and set off for a year of travelling! This was the best thing we had done in our lives (Apart from getting married) and we have no regrets. During the year I managed to secure a redundancy package which felt very strange. Almost sad as I had worked for the same company for 19 years (BT). It was always our plan to have a whole year off before thinking about the 'W' word. We began applying to the Camping and Caravanning Club (CCC) for the position of Holiday site assistants in August 2009. After the interview, work experience and induction we were finally given a contract at the CCC site in Inverewe (Scotland). Our plan is to work through the summer in the UK then head to Europe to overwinter before coming back to work the following summer season. Hopefully these few words and our blog will inspire others to get off the hamsters wheel and see that there is more to live than having a house and material things. A cliche I know but this is not a rehearsal, life is too short!!! Since our first contract in Scotland we have worked a winter contract in Oxford (never again!) not Oxford but a winter contract. Hereford for two years, living in a yurt for one! And Cornwall. In between our working we have also travelled a bit. Hopefully this website will give you an insight into our alternative lifestyle. Get out there and live the dream!
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