Like most people, we’d had future retirement plans in our minds for a long time, those plans always being a little out of reach due to those reasons, (or excuses) as to why we could never take the plunge, those old chestnuts being of course money, family or that never ending one…‘it’s not the right time’. That big future plan for us had always been to move down to Cornwall one day.
We have always loved Cornwall, making sure we visited regularly and also we have Jon’s family connections there, but we have always had those ‘niggling’ excuses as to why we couldn’t do it… more recently Jon’s work, as he had a well paid job which was difficult to just give up; the cost of moving is never cheap; and the big one for me, leaving my family up north who mean the world to me.
Whilst hearing these words from Jon over the phone, “I’ve been offered voluntary redundancy” my eyes were wide and after that initial sharp intake of breath, I managed to say, “Wow!”
“Are you ok?” Jon asked,
“Yes I think so, how do you feel about it?” I said
“Not sure, we need to talk tonight.” he replied.
That night we did talk for a very long time which lead to us becoming quite excited. Our future plans had a chance of coming to fruition a little sooner than we’d thought, in fact there was a chance that our plans would actually happen, but the first thing we had to do was talk to our families. We needed to know they were happy with our plans, I especially needed to speak to my boys and mum. This was a big decision for us. The next day we did just that and were reassured straight away by everyone being incredibly supportive, in fact quite excited for us, which meant our dream move was in reach.
The last few months has been a big thing for us with a lot to take in, plan and make happen, hence why I’ve been very quiet recently both here on my blog and on social media, because our feet haven’t touched the ground. Our heads have been all over the place with months of logistical planning, finishing those boat maintenance jobs in order to sell it and of course, packing. You would not believe how much you fill a boat with three and a half years worth of stuff, not to mention all the things we have already stored in other places from our previous house.
We have loved our life on our boat and I have so many more blog posts to write about life living on the water, but we had always said that we’d like to live aboard her for three to four years and that’s what we have done, (another dream fulfilled). It was never going to be our forever home, but more of an experience as was the building of her. Our boat, ‘Head in the Clouds’ has been more or less 20 years in the making, particularly for Jon who I am very proud of for creating such an amazing floating home. You can read about ‘Head in the Cloud’s’ beginnings Here.
So with the support of my family, at last it was actually the right time. We were to say goodbye to our beloved boat and move to Cornwall.
We began our move down to Cornwall mid September and still are up to our armpits in boxes, but we’re here, and I’ve managed to unpack my computer which has found it’s place in a little quiet corner, so please accept my apologies again, (I know I’ve done this before) for not being around for a while, for not reading other fabulous blog posts and for not having written anything for a long time.
For now, as we take the time to settle in, as they say here, ‘Dreckly’‘, it’s also time for me particularly, to get myself into a good work pattern, get cracking with the backlog of writing I have in my head, thinking of ways to carry on my eco business, ‘Step into Eco’ down here in Cornwall, as I had to say goodbye to my weekly eco market stall up north, along with us starting our lives down here in this stunning county and doing some exploring.
Moving here has also opened up a whole load of new exciting plans we have to build on, soon to be revealed 😉
Has anyone else had a redundancy which has lead to a total change of lifestyle?
I’d love to hear your story 😊
Enjoying pizzas at our favourite Pizza place, Stables in Falmouth
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This is amazing news! LIfe happens when you are making other plans, which is usually a good thing. I just wrote about our move from Canada to Spain. When you have time check it out. All the best!! https://darlenefoster.wordpress.com/2020/09/29/spain-chronicles-part-1/
Thank you Darlene, we still have the feeling of being on holiday at the moment, but I’m sure our big change will soon become reality 🙂 I look forward to reading about your big move! Although, I’d have gone the other way – to Canada as I absolutely love that fabulous country and have a yearning to see much more of it :-)Take Care x
Wow and double Wow Sam – that’s such exciting news and I can totally see why you’ve been missing in action for a while. Congrats on the redundancy and the big move – it all sounds like life is falling into place very nicely for you. I didn’t get to take a redundancy when I left work – but my husband did about 10 years ago – he used his payout to finance returning to study and take a complete career change from marketing in a large company to studying counselling and setting himself up in a home office (much more suited to his introverted personality). We both feel like we’re living the dream atm too – much less money than we used to have, but a lot less to spend it on, and a wonderful life with time to do what we love and not be answerable to anyone else – bliss! Looking forward to reading your further adventures. x
It is a big move for us Leanne and it was very much a WOW moment for us when we started to realise we had a chance of actually making our retirement plans happen. Funny you should mention your husband’s redundancy being part of a career change, because we do have plans to make Jon’s redundancy useful and hopefully become a change in direction too. The difficult thing for me is trying to get into a good work/blogging rhythm, as having Jon home all day has certainly ‘changed things’ 😉 So happy that life is ‘bliss’ for you both Leanne. Enjoy and take care x
There you are!
So exciting! Although it was unplanned, you two took to your new life with enthusiasm! My husband’s and my retirement was planned for so I can’t speak to that, but we sure do love our no-work life! I’m looking forward to reading about your new adventures!
Btw, I don’t think I’ll ever get used to the term “redundancy” as meaning the loss of a job… it’s not a word we use in the states.
Thank you Janis, It is exciting Janis and for me personally I’m lucky that I love change, I feel it’s good for our minds. I love a chance to see, feel and live different lifestyles. Redundancy isn’t a nice word at all as it means the loss of a job and of course it’s what most people fear. It happened to me around seven years ago. It was a horrible experience, but I used the ‘redundancy’ payout to set up a business which ended up being successful and so ultimately a great way to get out of a very stressful job – the push I needed. It’s happened to Jon now and again it’s the push he needed and apart from the move, we have plans to put this money to good use too…watch this space 🙂 Take care x
Hi, Sam – I echo Leanne’s “Wow” and Janis’ “Exciting”! Congratulations!! I look forward to reading more.
Thank you Donna, life certainly never stands still, or doesn’t have to. The rollercoaster continues… Hope you’re well x
Cornwall, eh… i think it’s part of a cunning plan that will see you burrowing to Lundy and becoming a penguin… in lycra… riding a wake board. They do say change is as good as a rest to a blind coin collector so I’m sure you’ll have a fabulous time. I wonder how years you’ll remain a grockle before you’re considered local. We look forward to hearing all about it.
Yes we’ve wandered South and I’m quite sure it takes many many years before we’d be considered local, in fact I’m pretty sure that’d be never, but then we are having a go at making cider so that might sway things… Oh and the old penguin lookalike wetsuit has been out of course while making a fool of myself on a boogie board, but I don’t think I’ll be making it to Lundy somehow, that would mean going further into that deep big expanse of water where the swimming big things are – No no no not me!
Massive change for you Sam, really shocked. What an exciting adventure you have suddenly found yourself on, you must have been sad to leave your floating home but equally excited moving down to Cornwall. Where are you based, we’re currently in Braunton on the North Devon coast. Lovely part of the world.
Bit of a shock for us too and a big decision to move out of our beloved boat, but then the plans were already in place, although not to happen so soon, but hey a push is what we needed and a bit of luck too I might add. We still feel we’re on holiday, but as we’re unpacking our stuff it’s becoming more real every day. A big change and yes was a little sad to leave our floating home, but we look forward to new experiences 🙂 We’re near to Falmouth. I need to catch up with your blog Jon and your travels. I haven’t seen much of Devon, but do intend in the future to explore that area 🙂 Take care both.
Must be great to be starting off a new chapter in your life, especially if you had sort of planned it anyway. Just brought the dates forward I suppose. Have you still got the boat?
Re. the boat. We are in the throws of selling it, hopefully it will be finalised by the end of the month, fingers crossed 🙂
Hi Sam, Darn, on the “are you sitting down?” I like your word “niggling.” It describes well ‘that feeling.’ It is great to have a supportive family. Cornwall! How exciting to move forward on this dream. I love all of the photos! I look forward to reading more about this new chapter in your lives.🙂
Thank you Erica, yes that ‘niggling’ feeling haha I tend to have that a lot! We have many plans which will hopefully come to fruition here in sunny Cornwall. As they say, becoming 50 is only the beginning, right? 🙂
What a shock it was to read this Sam. Such exciting news! I live the way you have both seen this enforced life change as an opportunity. Exciting times ahead for you and I wish you well
Thank you Jennifer, I must catch up with your blog, I’ll head on over 🙂
Wow! It was unexpected redundancy that sparked our change of lifestyle. It seemed anything but a stroke of luck at the time, but looking back, I am really glad of the opportunities that it opened up!
Looks like exciting times ahead for you both.
Best of luck and ENJOY!
Oh wow to you too! Well it certainly all worked out for you both and as you say, all the opportunities it has given you. Thank you so much for reading. I’ll catch up on your blog soon x
Sam, this is such amazing news from you, and what a life-changing event. So pleased to hear you both took the plunge and have moved to Cornwall, a place I know you both love. You’ll never look back and ask yourself “what if?” I’m sure many new adventures await. In fact, they’ve already started. I’ve always enjoyed my visits to Cornwall and Devon. I’m a big fan of the Whistlefish shop which I’ve only ever found in your part of the world.
Your story reminds me a lot of the day somebody knocked the front door of our house in London and asked if we’d like to sell the house to them. That knock at the door led to many amazing things.
Looking forward to hearing about your new lives in Cornwall. Enjoy every moment.
Thank you Hugh, yes new adventures are beginning 🙂 We’re both pleased we made the decision to move, even though it wasn’t meant to happen for a long time yet. I need to look up the Whistlefish shop as I haven’t come across it yet. Oh my, a knock on the door which leads to amazing things… I’m intrigued!
Maybe a story for another day, Sam. Hope you find a Whistlefish shop. They’ve some great products. They’re online too.
Congrats Sam, it’s great to read your exciting news! I love Cornwall too and wish you all the happiness in the world as you make a new start there. I look forward to reading more from you as you ease back into blogging 🙂
Thank you Debbie, life’s very busy, just the way I like it 😉 Thanks for reading x