Living Our Dream By The Sea

Posted on 18th February, 2017

Four years ago this week, we bought our dream house by the sea.

 

I had been watching the house online for months, but it was beyond our means. Then, when we were going up to Llandudno for a few days, I decided to go and view it so as to get it out of my system. What can I say? The previous day, it was full price; but that morning, when I went online to find the estate agent's number, the price had dropped a whopping 13,000 overnight and suddenly we could afford it.

 

It's no secret what happened next. We viewed the house on the Monday afternoon and arranged to go back the next morning. Before our Tuesday appointment, we had our "What the heck" conversation. Could we really just pack in our old lives and move up here? What about money? What about jobs? But what if we waited for another opportunity? What about the regrets associated with that? Then again, what about money? What about jobs? And that was when we had our "What the heck" moment. Never mind waiting for the "right" moment. Let's do it now.

 

We bought the house. We moved. Everything fell into place. Best thing we ever did.

 

I'm sure you'll understand why I want to share some photos with you. I hope you enjoy them.

 

Just a few more words before the photos start. There was a time not so long ago when I questioned whether I was being foolish trying to find a literary agent and get a book published. After all, who could possibly expect to have two dreams come true? But it has happened to me. I feel amazingly lucky.

 

This is the view from the cable car as it leaves Happy Valley behind. You can see the Little Orme in the distance on the far side of the bay.
Here, again from the cable car, you can see across the Great Orme and Llandudno to the Conwy Estuary.
If you go up the Great Orme on the tram, you get off halfway up and get onto a second tram to take you the rest of the way. Here is a tram leaving the halfway station, seen from the cable car.
St Tudno's Church on the Orme, seen from the cable car.
The sea mist can create dramatic effects. Here, on West Shore, only the lower slopes of the Great Orme are visible.
It's surprising how often we get utterly calm sea. Look at this picture - not a ripple!

 

By contrast, here are some photos from the day of the stormy high tide of January 13th this year - and yes, it was a Friday.

 

 

 

And to finish, let's return to a feeling of calm....

 

 

Puffin Island and Anglesey seen from the Great Orme.

 

 

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Comments (19)

It seems that you were destined to live in Llandudno, Susanna; no wonder you opted to move there - it's glorious! Thanks for sharing your photographs. So excited about your book deal. Can't wait to read The Deserter's Daughter. C xxx
On 25th February, 2017 by Christina Banach (website: http://www.christinabanach.com)
I'm glad you enjoyed the photos, Kirsten. I'm like your husband - I grew up coming to Llandudno for summer holidays, as did more or less everyone from the north west. I've known ever since I was a child that this was where I wanted to live.
On 24th February, 2017 by Susanna Bavin
So glad to hear that you are living your own dream by the sea, Judith. Aren't we lucky?
On 24th February, 2017 by Susanna Bavin
Jessica, what a lovely idea - a hat-trick of dreams come true - but I think I'll stick with the double. That seems amazing enough. Thanks for visiting my blog. I'm looking forward to interviewing here in a few weeks time.
On 24th February, 2017 by Susanna Bavin
Gorgeous. My husband is from Liverpool and he used to spend his summer holidays at Llandudno. He took us there a few years ago and it is very beautiful. My daughter remembers that day well as a seagull landed on her head!!
On 24th February, 2017 by Kirsten Hesketh
We've spent many a happy hour here when my grandmother lived in Abergele. Now we're in Pembrokeshire... best move we made as well. Living the dream. Lovely photos!!
On 24th February, 2017 by judith barrow (website: http://www.judithbarrow.co.uk)
Lovely photos and, as someone who also lives by the sea, I completely get why you love it. You'll have to think of a 3rd dream now so you can go for the hat-trick!
Best wishes
Jessica
On 22nd February, 2017 by Jessica Redland
Jan, it is lovely to hear from you, as always. I think many people dream of living by the sea, though unfortunately, for most of them it remains a dream. And yes, isn't it wonderful that my other dream has come true as well.
On 22nd February, 2017 by Susanna Bavin
Hi, Jennifer. I'm delighted that you enjoyed my blog and the photos. Thanks for dropping by.
On 22nd February, 2017 by Susanna Bavin
Amazing photos, Sue. I can see why you feel you're living the dream. Wow! I've always said that if we ever had to move I'd like it to be near the sea. In all its guises, the sea always fascinates me. As for your second dream, your hard work has paid off and is well deserved! :-)
On 21st February, 2017 by Jan Baynham (website: http://www.janbaynham.blogspot.co.uk)
Lovely! I admire you for following your dream, and from the pictures, can see why you did. Congratulations.
On 21st February, 2017 by Jennifer Wilck (website: http://www.jenniferwilck.com)
Hi, Louise. I'm glad you enjoyed my photos. Yes, the high pictures are dramatic, aren't they? Thanks also for your kind words about how we moved here. A lot of people have told me it was meant to be. While I don't believe in fate, I do know what they mean.
On 21st February, 2017 by Susanna Bavin
What wonderful pictures. I like the ones of the stormy high tide - very dramatic. You're lucky to live in such a beautiful place. I love the story of how you came to live there. You followed your dream and it worked out for you - that's brilliant.
On 21st February, 2017 by Louise
Hi, Jen. It's lovely to hear from you, as always. I agree with you about seizing chances so as to avoid regrets. And it would be wonderful to welcome you to Llandudno one day. Thanks for commenting.
On 19th February, 2017 by Susanna Bavin
Beautiful, Susanna. When you listen to your heart, dreams really can come true. And life is too short to live with regrets. Thank you for sharing. I hope I can visit Llandudno one day.
On 19th February, 2017 by Jen Gilroy (website: http://www.jengilroy.com)
Thanks for your kind words, Wendy. Lots of people have told us what a brave thing it was for us to do. At the time, it didn't feel brave. It was a more a question of our knowing that, if we didn't do it, we would regret it.
On 19th February, 2017 by Susanna Bavin
Thanks, Moira. I wanted to live here ever since I was a child, coming here for holidays, so moving here was a dream come true. We still have that "Wow! We really live here" feeling.
On 19th February, 2017 by Susanna Bavin
From your amazing photos, I can absolutely see why you moved here. It's not a place I've been to but it makes me want to visit. It was a brave move but one which paid off. I also enjoy the photos you put up on Twitter, Susanna.
On 19th February, 2017 by Wendy Clarke (website: http://wendyswritingnow.blogspot.co.uk)
This looks glorious Susanna. It's not a place I know but I'm so happy you are settled there and enjoying life.
On 19th February, 2017 by Moira