Dave and I enjoyed an amazing holiday to the States - it feels so long ago now! After spending a few days in New York with good friends, and enjoying beautiful sunny days and amazing sights, we made our way to North Carolina. The 'Tar Heel State' is my second home - after studying abroad at UNC Chapel Hill in 2006, I have been back on numerous occasions to visit close friends. It was really special to show Dave the place I studied for a year, and for him to see why I keep banging on about it!
The main reason we were there was for my friend Kelsey's wedding to Eddie, on the 5th of October. It was a beautiful day and one to remember - my first bridesmaid experience, in 31 degree heat!! Congratulations Kelsey and Eddie, what a fantastic wedding it was!
After the wedding Dave and I enjoyed a road trip with my dearest friend Emily and her partner Blair - first to the mountains of North Carolina, then to the coast! We managed a few short walks and with the colours changing it was truly beautiful.
Once we got home there was certainly no time to rest. It was a strange feeling unpacking our suitcases, knowing that in less than two weeks time we'd be packing them again.
Dave and I have bought a house!!
After years of being fed up with tenement living and our noisy neighbours, in June we decided it was finally time to do something about it. A few changes in our working lives meant we felt able to take on a mortgage, and it really felt like the right time to take this exciting next step.
We viewed nine houses in all - and it was house number eight that captured our hearts. As soon as we walked in we got 'the feeling'!
The whole process was straightforward and relatively stress free. Our move in date was set for the 25th of October, which seemed like a long time away back in the summer, but came around so fast.
Packing was a bit of a nightmare (shouldn't have left it until the night before!) and moving was, well, moving.
And now we start the process of making a house a home, making it our own. It's very exciting although it's amazing how much money is flying out right now!
I am very happy to say that I am now a homeowner, a very proud owner of a wee house in the Scottish Borders. A couple of minutes from our front door and we're into the hills, the trees, the wide open spaces, the fresh country air, the countryside!
Sure I've gone further away from the Munros but there is so much walking to be done down here, and the Munros will always be there for me - when I'm ready, when the time is right.
Change is scary and unsettling, and I don't handle it very well. However this is a massive change for good, a lifestyle change, and I'm very excited about it!
