Post-storm damage in Tumble Wood

Adaptability
The weather's a little different over here

Trying to get use to the weather has been challenging. Especially when it's been one of the wettest and windiest winters we (and South West Wales) have experienced. I mean, just take a look at the image of the wood at the end of our road.

On the home front, progress is being made. The unfortunate national and international events of the past several weeks is a stark realisation of how fortunate and grateful we are for what we have.

We are very lucky to have a garden and a home where we can take our time and stamp our personality onto it.

Dark clouds and a rainbow over the Gwendraeth Valley

Start of 2020
When it rains, it rains!

Storm Ciara, Storm Dennis and Storm Jorge make their mark, reminding us of our first winter in Wales.


Although you can still find beauty in the beast.
Old fan heater and decor in hallway

Are we there yet?
Almost. As we look back at photos from last year we're amazed at the difference.

And yes, internally the house in nearly finished. So nice to sit back, admire the view and not holes in the wall.

Kitchen stripped bare

2019 - Looking back...
The Kitchen

Old decor, including beige and brown tiles and glued lino, stripped or ripped out. Previous units and electrics all removed leaving a blank canvas of bare walls and concrete floors.

Re-done kitchen and new units

2020 - Look at you now...
The Kitchen

Rejuvination! Yes, this is the same room.

The kitchen was Tina's first attempt at laying flooring. She did an amazing job and subsequently has laid the flooring in all of the rooms.

View from back of house overlooking garden

May 2020, External
The front and back gardens breathe now

After several years choking on itself the garden has seasonal breathing space. The result is the numerous planted vegetables and flowers have now burst into life.

Bottom of garden after de-weeding

Looking back...
The back garden

Clearing up several years' of weeds and overgrown shrubs, trees and plants to clear the land for growing and sowing took many weeks.

By late summer, 2019, it was starting to take shape.

Back of garden with newly dug and planted vegetables

2020 - Transformation
The back garden

Potatoes, Cabbage, Lettuce, Beetroot, Pak-Choi and of course, Welsh Leeks feature in the newly-dug vegetable plots.

Sunset view from the front door

Spring - Summer 2020
Time well spent (shameless plug)

When not working on the house or garden, I’ve made use of downtime by trying to get to grips with CSS, HTML and UX.

The results can be seen on my recently created websites:
www.thedesigneye.co.uk (print and digital design) and www.daisychaindaze.co.uk (songwriter, composer and musician). With updates to another: www.thecreativeeye.co.uk

I’m still eager to learn (even after 30 years of experience in the design business) and would love to get some feedback on these creations, so, don't be shy...

Ongoing work. Will it ever end?

Have started collating photographs to show the unfolding fabric of changes in our lives. Who knows? It might even inspire others to make their own lifestyle-choice-change and go for it.
Here is a collection of just a few images...

Hard work pays off

To us, it serves as a reminder that with a little luck, plenty of determination, patience and vision, it is possible to carve out a dream.

it's still worth it

The neighbourhood and some new friends.

Say hello (when it's safe enough)!

If you’re in the area on holiday (Tenby, coastal jewel of Wales, is only 45 mins away, the Brecon Beacons, 30 mins) or passing nearby, you’re very welcome to pop around to say hi.

It would be nice to share the views over a brew and some Welsh Tea Cakes.

Windswept Studio, 49 Lletty Road, Upper Tumble, Carmarthenshire SA14 6BN
john@anenglishmaninwales.co.uk