Visiting Sue and Dean’s new house

Sue and Dean moved weeks ago. They had sent some pictures, and it looked lovely. I was really curious to see it for myself! And I voiced that. And Susan suggested Saturday tea and cake. That sounded fab. Especially with the weather forecast being quite good. I would go on my bike!

Biking there went fine. The hill up Mynydd Llandegai is a bit of a struggle, but from there on it’s plain sailing. And I knew the way to the road through Fachwen (I’ve biked it several times), and from there it’s not complicated. And I got there in good time! It is an impressive place to arrive at.

View from the road through Dinorwic ( the village)

The track

We first had a cup of tea. And we decided to do the tour in bits, with the cake in the middle. And so we did! And the cake was absolutely lovely.

The house was in excellent condition. It was clear that they had been able to just move like that. The garden was a different matter. It is absolutely gorgeous! But there is a lot of of it. And some of it had already gone a bit wild. There were, for instance, several fruit and vegetable patches, but more than the odd sad raspberry they didn’t yield. And some features, like benches, were a bit overgrown. And the problem with that is, of course, that that process is still enthusiastically ongoing. This will take so much maintenance! I didn't envy them at all. I already think my garden is big.

There is also a bridge nearby, that they said it had been built by the same person who had built the house, in 1840. We went to see it. I had already started to suspect I had run on the track to their house multiple times, but hadn't recognised it as such while on my bike as I had my mind focused on finding the way and biking this not entirely bike-welcoming track. When I saw the bridge I knew I had indeed run here many times! And been there with Kate, doing the slate trail.

I had not actually put two and two together, and realised that that was where they had moved to. Funny how you don't see what you don't expect. But now I could place it in context.

We had a little wander around, downstream from the bridge. The river Fachwen has a whole series of very beautiful waterfalls there. But when we had done all that I knew it was time to start thinking about going home.

Some of the waterfalls of Afon Fachwen

We first had a last cup of tea. And one of the cats was actually willing to be in the same room as me. In the end, she even let me pet her! That is always special. These cats are not keen on strangers. And in their eyes, you stay a stranger for a long time.

I then biked back. Getting back to the crest of the hill is hard work. The track to their house, but also the little public road it leads to, are steep, and I knew that. But I got it done without too much walking, and then I was in the clear. The rest of the bike ride home was nice.

I'm glad I've seen it now! And I hope I will see it again soon. Hopefully, there will soon be a sort of an official housewarming, with Martin and Sarah  there as well. And, if possible, Tom and Siobhan, who happened to also have had a little private viewing. And whoever else they would like to show their house to. Stay tuned!