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It’s time for a bit replace on what’s been taking place over the previous couple of months.
It’s some time since I final posted a private replace on my weblog, and wow what loads has occurred.
The final time I wrote a put up like this was in July (2020 Was Going To Be Our 12 months). At that time we have been in limbo over whether or not our marriage ceremony was going forward in September, whether or not we’d have the ability to purchase a flat, and whether or not our companies would survive all that the pandemic was throwing at it.
Just some minor issues eh?!
I’ve been delaying writing a giant replace because it’s not been a straightforward time, however I really feel like I’m able to share all of the gory particulars. Seize a cuppa, a stack of your fave biscuits (considered one of our lockdown habits that has caught!) and let’s kick issues off.
The Wedding ceremony
… has been postponed! It’s humorous after I suppose again to how we felt in March and the way a lot of a dilemma this was. Because the pandemic was spreading from Asia to Europe we began to marvel if it could get in the best way of our large day on nineteenth September. Wouldn’t it actually forestall us from having the day of our desires when it was over 6 months away?
Because the months rolled on we began to grasp it most likely would. We puzzled if we may postpone, whether or not we’d lose all the cash we’d paid or whether or not we have been playing around, as possibly by the point September got here the whole lot could be again to regular once more. I even wrote a put up about planning a marriage throughout lockdown.
Macca and I attending a marriage final summer season
By July, we may see that there was no manner we’d have the ability to proceed with the numbers we’d invited. Even small weddings weren’t permitted and with social distancing in place, it couldn’t be the stunning celebration we needed. After negotiating with our venue and caterers, we rebooked for August 2021.
The aid was instantaneous. I hadn’t realised how a lot it’d been taking part in on my thoughts till the choice was made. All the worries melted away, though I’ll admit my tummy now does somersaults after I take into consideration whether or not we’ll have the ability to go forward with the large day subsequent summer season, however hey, I’m not going to panic about that simply but! What shall be shall be.
Shifting On
Earlier within the 12 months I discussed that we had began flat looking. When the UK was in full lockdown, home viewings have been banned. As quickly as they have been permitted, we spent hours perusing Rightmove, looking for a flat that ticked all of the packing containers.
We’ve been in a one-bed third flooring flat in Shepherd’s Bush for the previous two and a half years. It was the right pad for our early thirties, however we’d began to outgrow it. We needed more room and we have been determined for a backyard. Macca’s rising assortment of chilli crops was beginning to take over the flat, like one thing out of Jack and the Beanstalk. We’d been collectively 4 and a half years, and even when the marriage was transferring by a 12 months, we nonetheless needed to begin our subsequent chapter.
From Might onwards we spent each spare minute exploring new components of London and attending viewings. Macca and I giggled at weird décor selections (carpet on the partitions anybody?!) and property brokers’ gross sales patter.
Home looking in London with Macca
We fell in love with just a few spots in west London, put our first supply in (hiya coronary heart palpitations – eeek!) after which had it rejected inside ten minutes.
We strapped ourselves in and rode the rollercoaster, feeling the highs of discovering dream properties, adopted by the lows of lacking out on them or not with the ability to afford them.
So, what occurred subsequent? Should you observe me on Instagram you night time have noticed that we moved out of our London flat final week. Fantastic Services invited us to check out their removing service. I knew it could be severely tough getting all of our belongings and furnishings down from a 3rd flooring flat with no raise, so we gratefully accepted their supply.
Packing our lives into packing containers
We have been assisted by three beautiful removing males from Unbelievable Companies. They have been completely sensible – actually pleasant, communicative and severely quick. We couldn’t imagine it after they loaded your entire contents of our flat into their removing van in underneath an hour and a half… and barely broke a sweat!
As a bit apart, Unbelievable Companies are providing £10 off any of their companies (which embrace cleansing, gardening, handyman jobs and removals) for those who use this special link which can mechanically add the code ‘wanderlustchloe’.
Shifting flat
So, you is likely to be questioning what’s subsequent? With our lives in packing containers did we resolve to turn into digital nomads like so many journey bloggers have, or press on with Plan A and calm down?
Nicely the large information is that in July we discovered a flat that we completely fell in love with. It’s in Ealing in London – an space we love because it’s nonetheless obtained the London vibe, a stunning neighbourhood really feel, however isn’t too hectic. Transport hyperlinks are nice for Heathrow Airport (if we ever fly once more!) and central London, plus it’s only a brief drive of a few of my household.
Pals recounted tales of how lengthy and irritating the property-buying course of was. Tales of damp issues, dodgy drains and gardens crammed with Japanese knotweed. However hey, ours could be easy proper?
Nicely, nope. Our supply was accepted on the finish of July and we’re nonetheless ready on one final authorized challenge to be resolved earlier than we are able to signal the contract. Three months and counting…
In the summertime we attended all our property viewings in masks
We will’t wait to maneuver in. We love the design of the brand new flat. It’s an previous constructing that has been achieved up not too long ago. There’s a big open plan kitchen / eating room with bifold doorways to the backyard. Sure, our first backyard! We appeared round in the summertime and had desires of BBQ events. I’ve obtained aspirations of planting a bit herb backyard, whereas Macca’s obtained his eye on a border to broaden his assortment of chilli crops!
I haven’t advised you the place we are actually although. We had a deadline to be out of our London flat by mid-October, and as soon as it transpired that our new pad wouldn’t be prepared in time, we determined to maneuver to my mum’s place briefly. She lives in a stunning home within the Buckinghamshire countryside.
Exploring our short-term house within the Buckinghamshire countryside
We’re actually loving the change of scene. We haven’t managed to squeeze in any holidays this 12 months, however with the ability to stroll out into gorgeous countryside has felt good for our our bodies and souls. A much-needed break from hectic metropolis life, and an opportunity to unwind a bit after a reasonably tense 12 months.
We’ve swapped our each day walks down busy streets to the retailers, for leisurely wanders to go to a area of alpacas!
Macca out within the Buckinghamshire woodland
Being at mum’s home has additionally given me the right alternative to recover from my driving demons. I handed my take a look at years in the past, however by no means constructed up any confidence behind the wheel. I’d drive my mum’s automotive annually to Tescos and again, and that was it! We’ve by no means had a automotive of our personal and Macca has been completely satisfied to drive rent vehicles on our travels. Now although, I’m hoping to alter that.
Individuals of Buckinghamshire, be careful – Chloe’s on the roads! Yep, it’s time to follow heaps and recover from my fears. One week in and I’ve pushed most days, and even ventured onto the motorway just a few occasions.
Nice British Bucket Listing
Which brings me on to our little child! We couldn’t be prouder of our weblog the Great British Bucket List, which we launched earlier this 12 months. We labored actually exhausting on producing content material for the location throughout lockdown.
Macca and I at Portland Invoice Lighthouse in Dorset
It was fairly well timed too, with staycations booming this summer season whereas worldwide journey restrictions have been in place. Site visitors has grown at a loopy charge and we’ve beloved engaged on it. It’s a kind of tasks the place we are able to see a direct correlation between the hours we put in and the success of the location.
Watching Nice British Bucket Listing rising
We began to collaborate with regional vacationer boards on campaigns, and beloved having an additional platform to get artistic with.
Final month we scooped our first award too. Teletext named us the Best Staycation Travel Bloggers Of 2020. We’re actually pleased with what we’ve achieved in 2020, in a very tough 12 months for the journey business. Fingers crossed 2021 seems to be even greater and higher!
We’ve already labored with some nice regional vacationer boards on content material for the Nice British Bucket Listing
Should you’re in search of journey inspiration for journeys in England, Scotland or Wales, check out the Great British Bucket List right here. Throughout the subsequent lockdown, we’ll be including a lot of new strolling guides, profiting from our each day train!
Lockdown 2.0
Nations world wide have been ricocheting from free journey, to quarantines and lockdowns. From Thursday, right here in England we’ll be in lockdown 2.0.
I’ve obtained such blended emotions about it. There was a bit little bit of novelty to the primary lockdown. Watching the world grind to a halt was weird. One thing which may solely occur as soon as in our lifetime.
Whereas our companies suffered, mentally and bodily we benefitted from a slowing down of tempo. Up till then we travelled two to 3 occasions a month, from time zone to time zone. We’d by no means have chosen to have a protracted time period at house, however I believe it was good for us. The climate was nice for lots of our first lockdown too.
I beloved exploring extra of London throughout my train breaks within the first lockdown, particularly when the solar was shining!
This time it feels a bit completely different. Firstly, the novelty has gone. We know what to anticipate. It received’t be significantly enjoyable, however a month appears doable. We’ve even booked in our first Zoom quiz with our buddies – one thing we weren’t positive we’d ever do once more!
We’re completely satisfied to be primarily based within the countryside for this lockdown too. Inside 30 seconds of leaving the home we’re inhaling recent air and immersed in nature. The gloomy climate and fewer hours of daylight could also be an issue although. I’ve by no means appeared ahead to out of doors train in November…!
Lockdown in Buckinghamshire goes to be a bit completely different to lockdown in London
Regardless although, we’ll be maximising these occasions we depart the home and gathering a lot of native content material for the Nice British Bucket Listing. Each cloud, and all that!
Check out the Great British Bucket List
The Journey Print Retailer
Whereas we labored exhausting on the Nice British Bucket Listing throughout lockdown, we additionally arrange a facet enterprise too. We launched the Travel Print Store on Etsy in June, and began promoting prints of our journey images. The enterprise has gone from energy to energy. We’ve seen gross sales growing over the previous couple of months, and we’re hoping a lot of folks shall be looking for items on-line this Christmas. You possibly can examine how it began right here.
A number of of my favourites from the Journey Print Retailer
In addition to over 100 prints of our journey images, we’ve additionally developed a variety of typography designs. Most of them are customisable with names, dates or inspirational quotes, in order that they make actually private, sentimental items. We’re busy engaged on just a few new designs too, so preserve checking again.
Inspirational journey posters
Small companies have suffered loads in 2020, however we love what number of superb creatives there are on Etsy. Should you’d normally store for Christmas presents on large web sites like Amazon, contemplate trying on Etsy as an alternative. In addition to discovering lovely and distinctive items, you’ll be supporting actual folks too, serving to them make ends meet in a tough time. See, it’s good in your conscience too!
Check out the Travel Print Store on Etsy
I hope wherever you’re studying this you’re completely satisfied and wholesome, and able to tackle regardless of the world throws at you subsequent. 2020 hasn’t been a straightforward 12 months for anybody, however we appear to be getting by it.
Bear in mind when the primary lockdown began and we aspired to study new languages and take up new hobbies? I needed to study to attract. I didn’t do it then, and I most likely received’t do it in lockdown 2.0 both… but when I can get by one other month and preserve a smile on my face, that’s adequate for me.
Till subsequent time…
Cx
As Christmas is across the nook, how about testing my present guides? Numerous inspiration for items in your journey loving buddies…
35 Distinctive Presents For Travellers
25 Superb Journey Themed Presents For Children
25 Cute Presents For Journey-Loving {Couples}
18 Greatest Subscription Bins For Foodies
