We have left Bridgend area now and are in Newcastle upon tyne . We moved on tuesday morning after the owners returned . I think we will be back as Rick and Bridget seemed really happy with us and we even had an invitation from bridgets mum to visit either on way up or on way back from newcastle as she may require a sitter at some point.

As you may know our intention has been to buy a camper van on our way around the country so we have been looking at vans since we left Brixham. However up until tuesday we hadn't found anything suitable within our budget but last Sunday nigel saw a minibus advertised on Gumtree in Cardiff which we thought could be a possibility and we could convert it so tuesday morning after saying goodbye to the bridgend sit we duly made our way to Cardiff to visit and view the mini bus . Our intention being if it was suitable we would convert ourselves into a camper van. Well we took the plunge . After an hour of test driving and viewing and realising it had been really looked after by a local christian charity called The beacon trust we purchased it . A 17 seater ldv 400 convoy 2003 . I am so excited as it means even if we haven't got any house sits, once converted ,we will have somewhere to live . It feels like our dreams are really becoming a reality. So we are now in Newcastle upon tyne , not far from kieran , abi , reuben, adam and rosie so it will great to spend time with them while we are up here . The weather has been lovely the last 2 weeks with some days hitting 17 degrees in Bridgend but newcastle is a little cooler and I believe rain is predicted for the weekend.

The house we are staying in here is also beautiful . it is a very large 5 bedroomed detached house with large 1/2 acre garden and we are looking after a beautiful 2 year old labradoodle. That is a cross between a labrador and poodle called Cass ( short for cassias), 4 chickens, 2 budgies and tropical fish. There is so much room in this house you could lose yourself and they even have a sauna!

We were offered a choice of any bedroom all are very large doubles so much to choose from. They love birds and have set up a secret camera in a bird box on the wall outside so you can watch the birds coming in and roosting which is fascinating . They are hoping some will nest there and they will be able to see the babies.

We did have a call yesterday that our may sit in mullion in cornwall has now cancelled due to the lady being rushed into hospital with pneumonia so holiday has had to be postponed EEk!! and that is our next sit in two weeks so we have to find another sit quickly , otherwise we will have to convert the minibus a bit quicker than expected. Never mind , that is all part of the fun of this adventure . There is nothing like living your life on the edge . We are having to learn to have faith and trust in God to take care of all our needs and so far he has never let us down.