Hermanus to Pewsey...aka seaside to countryside... SA to UK

I've always considered myself lucky in the fact I've lived, and travelled to some pretty spectacular places in the world. Yet two very special, yet very different places I wholeheartedly consider to be home have influenced every part of my life and seem to have moulded into an interesting circle or journey that is so completely balanced by the polarities.

After 12 years of living in the beautiful town of Hermanus in the Overberg, South Africa it was time to venture overseas back to Pewsey, Wiltshire. This was a huge move for us considering Hermanus in my opinion is one of the most beautiful places on earth and living close to mountains, nature reserves and the ocean was bliss.

Hermanus from the moment I moved there after staying and working in Hermanus Backpackers all those years ago will always be home and hopefully one day we will be able to have a seasonal home there to enjoy and to be close to our amazing tribe of friends and family.

At this time of our lives with young kids and Bernard been mostly away at work for months at a time, we needed to move closer to my immediate family to enjoy precious times together, for support and although I hate saying it for security and possibly more international opportunities for our kids in the future.

I grew up in Pewsey from the age of 13 years old when my family and I immigrated to the UK from Cape Town. At the time been a stubborn teenager and bit of a rebel this seemed like the world had ended at the time but soon started to thrive and looking back realise it was a hugely significant move that has opened many doors and created many wonderful memories.

So I spent most of my teenage and early 20's in or around the UK, so it was exciting to think that I would soon be reunited with family and friends and extended family I hadn't seen for years.

Pewsey like Hermanus is beautiful and the little villages surrounding Pewsey are also gorgeous. Stone Henge, Avebury, the crop circles, ancient history, rolling green hills, forest and the white horses along with the absolute characters of village life always make me feel I'm in the Shire from Lord of the rings, with magical energy and endless stories from the locals. So although very different from the sun, sea and cliff paths both Hermanus and Pewsey have magnetic pulls and seem to compliment each other completely.

The first 7 months of been here in Pewsey the boys and I lived in a motorhome on the land of our families pub The Coopers Arms. The summer was amazing and we settled in well.

Van life was simple, fun and cosy and we loved it! Along with the amazing weather we had over the summer months, the boys thrived and been close to family just made it all the more special. I have been teaching yoga in a little local studio in Pewsey, along with outdoor classes and privately.

We had a huge wedding celebration for my gorgeous sister and her husband, we have spent time and are so happy to be apart of my amazing little nephews life. Been close and apart of my parents life and for them to be close to the boys is so special too.

We were here for the famous Pewsey Carnival which was great and brought back crazy, awesome memories of my teen years!

The freedom of country life here for the boys has been incredible, they have embraced the school, family and are loving every minute. We are now in a lovely, cosy, little cottage : ) next to our wonderful family.

When Bernard is away at work, I've felt so safe been on my own and at ease and its given me the freedom too which I never realised I needed, as well as giving him the peace of mind that we are all ok.

Embracing the Winter for me is definitely a challenge but its also bringing up creativity and a time to introvert and reflect and process the crazy few months we have had and the changes we have navigated through. I've always loved an adventure and along with the tools I've learned from my yoga practise and teaching, consistency with these tools has definitely helped and continues to help me see the positive and embrace the change. Doesn't mean I don't dream of a dip in Davies pool, and will thoroughly enjoy the next time I do! haha.. Exciting times!

We are still struggling with visas on Bernard's side and the whole process has been very stressful and has been so complicated. We have big goals for 2023 though and hope things will fall into place to make it easier on us as a family. So watch this space!

I have been very scarce on social media for the last 6/7 months as we have been fully immersed into life, taking day by day and soaking in all the new friendships, connections, reconnecting with the old ones and trying to be fully present in the move, providing full support for the boys in their changes and new school. Will certainly be posting a little more on here over the next few months though as our journey and UK adventure continues : ) Yoga posts, info and videos coming soon too.

XXX