0:00:03 > 0:00:05Making the move from the city to the countryside
0:00:05 > 0:00:07is often a momentous step.
0:00:07 > 0:00:10Never in a million years I would imagine
0:00:10 > 0:00:13I would be seeing a house like this. Never, ever.
0:00:13 > 0:00:14But for many years,
0:00:14 > 0:00:17Escape To The Country has been supporting countless people
0:00:17 > 0:00:20on the hunt for a new rural home.
0:00:20 > 0:00:22What do we think of this?
0:00:22 > 0:00:24Oh, my! Chocolate box.
0:00:24 > 0:00:27We've travelled to the most picturesque pockets of Britain...
0:00:27 > 0:00:30Take a look at that killer view. That's amazing.
0:00:30 > 0:00:34..to showcase thousands of exquisite country properties...
0:00:34 > 0:00:36Oh, but how pretty is that?
0:00:36 > 0:00:39..that our buyers just couldn't resist.
0:00:39 > 0:00:41Jules!
0:00:41 > 0:00:44Seriously, get your cheque-book out now.
0:00:44 > 0:00:48Join us as we catch up with those who made it happen...
0:00:48 > 0:00:51Hello, Bernard. Now, young fella! Hiya, Carol.
0:00:51 > 0:00:54..to find out how the move changed their lives
0:00:54 > 0:00:56when they escaped to the country.
0:01:14 > 0:01:16Well, today we're in my favourite part
0:01:16 > 0:01:17of the British Isles -
0:01:17 > 0:01:20Wales on the hills overlooking Llangollen
0:01:20 > 0:01:22and the beautiful Dee Valley.
0:01:22 > 0:01:24Now, it takes its name from the River Dee,
0:01:24 > 0:01:28which starts its 70-mile journey up in the hills of Wales
0:01:28 > 0:01:30before flowing over the border into England.
0:01:30 > 0:01:32Now, on today's show, we'll be catching up
0:01:32 > 0:01:36with two couples who've been on their own property journey in Wales
0:01:36 > 0:01:38and finding out how they're now making the best
0:01:38 > 0:01:41of their new lives in the Welsh countryside.
0:01:41 > 0:01:45I'll be revisiting house-hunters who successfully made their escapes
0:01:45 > 0:01:49to Carmarthenshire in the south and Denbighshire in the North.
0:01:49 > 0:01:53Later on, I'll be catching up with Nikki and Jason,
0:01:53 > 0:01:55who I first met back in 2008.
0:01:55 > 0:01:59Since then, they've made a complete lifestyle gear change
0:01:59 > 0:02:02and created an award-winning rural business.
0:02:07 > 0:02:11But first I'll be reunited with some of my favourite house-buyers,
0:02:11 > 0:02:13Bernard and Carol, who strongly maintain
0:02:13 > 0:02:16that their move has made them happier and healthier
0:02:16 > 0:02:19as well as helped them fulfil their dream of self-sufficiency.
0:02:22 > 0:02:27The story of their great escape started back in the spring of 2009.
0:02:27 > 0:02:29They were living in Leyland, Lancashire,
0:02:29 > 0:02:33but were desperate to put down roots in North Wales.
0:02:33 > 0:02:34As committed gardeners,
0:02:34 > 0:02:37their allotment at the time just wasn't delivering the goods.
0:02:39 > 0:02:40Now, this is our allotment,
0:02:40 > 0:02:42which as you can see is a decent-sized plot
0:02:42 > 0:02:45where we can grow lots of fruit and veg.
0:02:45 > 0:02:46But when we move,
0:02:46 > 0:02:50we want all of this but without the noise from the roadside.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53As well as setting their sights on
0:02:53 > 0:02:55a quieter and more secluded plot of land
0:02:55 > 0:02:57with space for chickens and pigs,
0:02:57 > 0:03:00Bernard and Carol also wanted a period property
0:03:00 > 0:03:04with a big kitchen and a studio for arts and crafts.
0:03:04 > 0:03:08To achieve this dream, they had a budget of ?450,000.
0:03:12 > 0:03:15They were relatively flexible with their preferred location
0:03:15 > 0:03:17and the first stop on our North Wales tour
0:03:17 > 0:03:20was the village of Cerrigydrudion, in Conwy,
0:03:20 > 0:03:22where we'd lined up a former farmstead
0:03:22 > 0:03:25surrounded by open countryside.
0:03:25 > 0:03:28What do you think? It's very nice. Amazed, yeah. I like that.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31It looks perfect, actually, from the outside anyway.
0:03:31 > 0:03:33Is it perfect on the inside? What's inside? Well, we'll see.
0:03:33 > 0:03:35Come on. Let's have a look. OK.
0:03:39 > 0:03:42Come and have a look in here. Yes, I like this as well.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45The colour hits you as soon as you walk in, but that's cosmetic.
0:03:45 > 0:03:49But I like the colour. OK, right, well, forget that.
0:03:49 > 0:03:51HE LAUGHS I do, I do. Look at that.
0:03:51 > 0:03:53Look at that, Carol. Through fireplace.
0:03:53 > 0:03:55It'll be interesting to see what's back there.
0:03:55 > 0:03:56Well, let's have a look. OK. Come on.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01Now, Bernard, what about this, then?
0:04:01 > 0:04:02Crumbs. Yeah?
0:04:02 > 0:04:03I mean, from back there,
0:04:03 > 0:04:06you just think it's going to be a small room here,
0:04:06 > 0:04:08but it opens out fantastically. Yeah.
0:04:08 > 0:04:14Upstairs, there were three bedrooms plus a master ensuite.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17We hit a sticking point with the size of the kitchen.
0:04:17 > 0:04:19What do you think? It is a bit small, actually.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22I mean, I've got a lot of kitchen equipment
0:04:22 > 0:04:24and a lot of crockery and there's definitely nowhere
0:04:24 > 0:04:27to keep half of it, I would say, in here.
0:04:27 > 0:04:29Although space was an issue,
0:04:29 > 0:04:32inside there was a huge renovated outbuilding
0:04:32 > 0:04:35with potential for Carol's arts and crafts
0:04:35 > 0:04:37and another used as a workshop.
0:04:37 > 0:04:41Next, we assessed the acre and a half of land.
0:04:41 > 0:04:42Is this big enough for you?
0:04:42 > 0:04:45This is probably on a par with our allotment at the moment,
0:04:45 > 0:04:48so, yeah, it's perfectly sufficient.
0:04:48 > 0:04:50All right, well, let's have a think about the money. Yeah.
0:04:50 > 0:04:52What's it going to cost you?
0:04:52 > 0:04:55I would like to think that it was on the market for around,
0:04:55 > 0:04:58well, just over 400. OK. Carol?
0:04:58 > 0:04:59I think 445.
0:04:59 > 0:05:05OK, it's on the market for ?450,000.
0:05:05 > 0:05:07OK. Right. I do like it, I must admit.
0:05:07 > 0:05:09Good, well you should. It's a very nice property. It is, yeah.
0:05:09 > 0:05:12And it does offer you everything that you're looking for. Yeah.
0:05:13 > 0:05:18It was a solid start but there were still two more properties to see,
0:05:18 > 0:05:22so the next day we travelled to Bryneglwys in Denbighshire
0:05:22 > 0:05:25where I unveiled a refurbished property
0:05:25 > 0:05:27with views that were second to none.
0:05:28 > 0:05:30Right then, what do you think of that?
0:05:30 > 0:05:33Good. I like it as well.
0:05:33 > 0:05:35I mean the location looks superb.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38The views and everything over there are wonderful.
0:05:38 > 0:05:40Couldn't ask for better views than that, could you?
0:05:40 > 0:05:43Good. That's the main thing. Positive start.
0:05:43 > 0:05:45Let's go and see what you think of the inside. OK.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48They were both immediately struck by the rural views,
0:05:48 > 0:05:51although I sense some disappointment
0:05:51 > 0:05:53about the more modern appearance of the house. Oh.
0:05:53 > 0:05:56But that was about to change.
0:05:56 > 0:05:58This is definitely more like it.
0:05:58 > 0:06:00I'm visualising my furniture in here already.
0:06:00 > 0:06:04I've got my unit on that wall and our settees will fit in perfectly.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07Good. When can I move in? HE LAUGHS
0:06:07 > 0:06:09Carol, you've got the kitchen here.
0:06:09 > 0:06:11Yeah. Right then, let's get it over and done with.
0:06:13 > 0:06:14In you come. Now, this is...
0:06:14 > 0:06:16This is definitely what I had in mind.
0:06:16 > 0:06:18Much more modern, though,
0:06:18 > 0:06:21than I had really been led to expect, in some ways. I know.
0:06:21 > 0:06:22I think that's the trouble.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25I've come in this house...to see these houses and I think,
0:06:25 > 0:06:27"No, I want old-fashioned and quirky,"
0:06:27 > 0:06:29and now I'm suddenly thinking, "No, I don't."
0:06:31 > 0:06:34Room by room, this newly renovated home
0:06:34 > 0:06:36was changing their mind set.
0:06:36 > 0:06:38Three double bedrooms upstairs
0:06:38 > 0:06:42offered them plenty of options for hobbies plus a grand master suite.
0:06:42 > 0:06:45Here we are. What a size. How about that?
0:06:45 > 0:06:47I've had nothing to moan about, have I, yet?
0:06:47 > 0:06:51It's great. I'm enjoying the silence.
0:06:51 > 0:06:53And of course you can wake up to that view again.
0:06:53 > 0:06:55Yes. Wonderful, wonderful.
0:06:55 > 0:06:58You're satisfied. What about me?
0:06:58 > 0:06:59Vegetables. I know.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02He's been wandering around going, "Where's me vegetable plot?"
0:07:02 > 0:07:05Oh, it wouldn't be the same without one, would it? No, wouldn't.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08Let's go outside and see if we can find one, shall we? OK.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11The house seemed to have notched up top marks.
0:07:11 > 0:07:15Outside, planning permission and footings were already in place
0:07:15 > 0:07:17for a garage, so all that was left
0:07:17 > 0:07:20was that crucial plot of land for Bernard.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23Now then, what about that little paddock there?
0:07:23 > 0:07:24Looks spot on.
0:07:24 > 0:07:28Now, all in all, it's only about an acre.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31A few little more segments with some fences,
0:07:31 > 0:07:34you could have paddocks for some pigs,
0:07:34 > 0:07:40some chickens and a sizeable area for my veg, or our veg,
0:07:40 > 0:07:41but it comes at a price. Yes.
0:07:41 > 0:07:44There's no problem up to now,
0:07:44 > 0:07:46but I can see a potential problem looming.
0:07:46 > 0:07:48OK, let's have a think about it.
0:07:48 > 0:07:53Your ?450,000, how far do you think it's going to go, I wonder?
0:07:53 > 0:07:57I would say 470, which puts it well out of our price.
0:07:57 > 0:07:59470. Bernard?
0:07:59 > 0:08:04On principle, I can't go over 450, so I'll stretch it to the limit
0:08:04 > 0:08:10of 449,99 recurring.
0:08:10 > 0:08:14All right, so a penny shy of ?450,000.
0:08:14 > 0:08:17OK, it's on the market for 435.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20Yeah? Ooh!
0:08:20 > 0:08:23How about that? Go and phone the removal men.
0:08:23 > 0:08:25I can't believe it. Yeah.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28That's fantastic. Very pleased. Thanks, mate.
0:08:28 > 0:08:32Pretty good, eh? Yeah. Yep. ?435,000.
0:08:32 > 0:08:34Bernard, I think you're a little bit choked. I am!
0:08:34 > 0:08:37THEY LAUGH
0:08:37 > 0:08:39Is this going to be your new dream home?
0:08:39 > 0:08:42I think it is. Oh, mate! Oh, brilliant.
0:08:42 > 0:08:46Our second property was clearly on the money,
0:08:46 > 0:08:49but we weren't done yet as there was the Mystery House to see,
0:08:49 > 0:08:54which lay in the small Flintshire village of Rhosesmor.
0:08:54 > 0:08:56The offering here was a registered smallholding
0:08:56 > 0:08:59where the residents were out to greet us.
0:08:59 > 0:09:01This is a turn up for the books, isn't it?
0:09:01 > 0:09:03The Mystery House, complete with alpacas.
0:09:03 > 0:09:04It's a little menagerie.
0:09:04 > 0:09:07Goats, chickens, ducks, you name it - they're all here.
0:09:07 > 0:09:09Let's go and take a closer look beyond the farmyard
0:09:09 > 0:09:11and see what you think.
0:09:13 > 0:09:16Their first impressions of the mystery property facade
0:09:16 > 0:09:17were favourable.
0:09:17 > 0:09:19Nice. It is, isn't it?
0:09:19 > 0:09:23"Quaint" I think is the word I would use. I'll take quaint.
0:09:23 > 0:09:27And they warmed to the character features inside, too.
0:09:27 > 0:09:31You can imagine here in the winter, be really cosy, yeah.
0:09:31 > 0:09:33A feature fireplace was also a focal point
0:09:33 > 0:09:35in the second reception room,
0:09:35 > 0:09:37and the all-important kitchen
0:09:37 > 0:09:40seemed to measure up to expectations.
0:09:40 > 0:09:44It's not the biggest kitchen but it's not the smallest, either.
0:09:44 > 0:09:48This is more like what I'd expect of a traditional farmhouse kitchen.
0:09:48 > 0:09:52I think I could actually cope with it, yeah.
0:09:52 > 0:09:54Downstairs, the first of the four bedrooms
0:09:54 > 0:09:59also offered Carol a dedicated arts and crafts room.
0:09:59 > 0:10:01Upstairs, the other three bedrooms,
0:10:01 > 0:10:04included one with an impressive vaulted ceiling,
0:10:04 > 0:10:08all served by a cottage-style family bathroom.
0:10:08 > 0:10:10And the price tag of this mystery smallholding
0:10:10 > 0:10:12was certainly very enticing.
0:10:13 > 0:10:17This is on the market for 350,000.
0:10:17 > 0:10:21This is 100,000 quid under your budget... Yeah.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24..which is why we wanted you to see it. Food for thought.
0:10:27 > 0:10:31So, which property did they end up purchasing from our line-up?
0:10:31 > 0:10:35Would house number one's outbuilding with a 1.5 acre plot win through?
0:10:35 > 0:10:38Or did Bernard's tears by the untended paddock
0:10:38 > 0:10:41at property two translate into a sale?
0:10:41 > 0:10:44Then, of course, the mystery proposition
0:10:44 > 0:10:47dangled a carrot of an up-and-running smallholding
0:10:47 > 0:10:51along with a ?100,000 saving on their budget.
0:10:51 > 0:10:55Each had their merits, so what happened next?
0:10:55 > 0:10:58Well, Bernard's tears at the gate said it all,
0:10:58 > 0:11:01and in the end, he and Carol veered away from the idea
0:11:01 > 0:11:04of a classic Welsh cottage and opted for something
0:11:04 > 0:11:08that was far more practical, and frankly, who can blame them?
0:11:08 > 0:11:10Even after all these years,
0:11:10 > 0:11:14those views are still timeless and the setting is perfect.
0:11:14 > 0:11:18And, look, here they are still making the best of it.
0:11:18 > 0:11:21Hello, Bernard. Now, young fella!
0:11:21 > 0:11:23Good to see you. Good to see you, too.
0:11:23 > 0:11:25Hiya, Carol. Lovely to see you.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28Look at this! Can't be better.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31Just remind me how long ago was it that we were first here?
0:11:31 > 0:11:35It was March or April, 2009.
0:11:35 > 0:11:37Wow.
0:11:37 > 0:11:42And we moved in seven years ago next Friday.
0:11:42 > 0:11:44Seven years ago, almost to the day? Yeah. Yeah.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47Does it feel like seven years? No. Feels like seven weeks.
0:11:47 > 0:11:49It just flew over. Does it? Yeah.
0:11:49 > 0:11:51Are you still in that curious sort of holiday mode
0:11:51 > 0:11:53that a lot of people find when they move? Oh, yeah.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56Well, we've never been on holiday since we moved here,
0:11:56 > 0:11:58and of course we've got the vegetable plot,
0:11:58 > 0:12:00which is a full-time job.
0:12:00 > 0:12:02I wanted to ask you about the vegetable patch
0:12:02 > 0:12:04because self-sufficiency was very much at the heart
0:12:04 > 0:12:06of what you were trying to achieve, and to be fair,
0:12:06 > 0:12:09this wasn't the biggest patch of land I think
0:12:09 > 0:12:11we were able to show you that week,
0:12:11 > 0:12:14but has it been enough for you to achieve that aim?
0:12:14 > 0:12:16As far as food is concerned,
0:12:16 > 0:12:21I would think we're probably 50, 60% self-sufficient. 60%? Excess.
0:12:21 > 0:12:25We actually give away to the local neighbours and the local farmers,
0:12:25 > 0:12:29and in return we get muck, pheasants, pigeons...
0:12:29 > 0:12:34Cakes. ..cakes, honey and a source of logs.
0:12:34 > 0:12:37So, everything you need. Yeah. Well, not everything.
0:12:37 > 0:12:39We don't get beer. You don't get beer!
0:12:39 > 0:12:43But it's not just about you eating and consuming everything
0:12:43 > 0:12:45that you can yourselves produce,
0:12:45 > 0:12:47but it gives you access to all the other things you need
0:12:47 > 0:12:49because you can barter it away.
0:12:49 > 0:12:52Yeah. Yeah. And it's so enjoyable doing it.
0:12:52 > 0:12:54So, you've got absolutely no regrets, clearly. Oh, no.
0:12:54 > 0:12:56Crikey, no way. Do you wish you'd done it earlier?
0:12:56 > 0:12:59Yes...is the simple answer. Yeah.
0:12:59 > 0:13:01And he wakes up every morning, he keeps saying,
0:13:01 > 0:13:05"I can't believe we live here. How did we get here?
0:13:05 > 0:13:06"It's lovely. Look at that view."
0:13:06 > 0:13:10"I met a bloke called Jules and it all went horribly wrong!"
0:13:11 > 0:13:15It took about three years to get the paddock into the right state
0:13:15 > 0:13:19for maximum veg and fruit-growing efficiency.
0:13:19 > 0:13:21Work they've undertaken in the house
0:13:21 > 0:13:25includes removing double doors and fitting a huge picture window
0:13:25 > 0:13:29in the living room to make the most of those views.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32And where footings were in place for a garage,
0:13:32 > 0:13:35Carol now has her very own spacious studio
0:13:35 > 0:13:38for her arts and crafts projects.
0:13:38 > 0:13:40But for Bernard, country life out in the sticks
0:13:40 > 0:13:42does require some preparation,
0:13:42 > 0:13:46particularly to get them through the harsh winter months.
0:13:46 > 0:13:49Oh, Bernard, if you're a countryman,
0:13:49 > 0:13:51isn't that the most satisfying sight -
0:13:51 > 0:13:55a log pile just awash with fuel security.
0:13:55 > 0:13:57That's right, and a lot of energy to go in chop it up.
0:13:57 > 0:13:59Right, then. How much more have we got to do?
0:13:59 > 0:14:01I use this just to get it started.
0:14:04 > 0:14:05And then the serious stuff comes.
0:14:10 > 0:14:12You got it. Well done, mate.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15It's up to you now with your axe. Do you want me to split those down?
0:14:15 > 0:14:17Please, yeah. Yeah.
0:14:17 > 0:14:20Whoa, look at that! There we go. Look. How about that?
0:14:20 > 0:14:21Experienced guy, that.
0:14:24 > 0:14:26Think of giving it another go? Oh, no. Ah!
0:14:26 > 0:14:27We'll nibble away at it. Yep.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30What has been the biggest change for you in moving, Bernard?
0:14:30 > 0:14:35Exercising, doing jobs every month of the year. Yep.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38And each season is different, the jobs that you have to do.
0:14:40 > 0:14:42I think that's enough, Jules.
0:14:42 > 0:14:45I'm glad you said that. Thank you very much.
0:14:45 > 0:14:47It's an absolute pleasure, mate. Great stuff.
0:14:47 > 0:14:48I'll leave you to clear up,
0:14:48 > 0:14:50and I might go and see how Carol is getting on. OK, yeah.
0:14:50 > 0:14:52Well, I'll see you up there later on, perhaps.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55I can't wait to see this veg patch. Righto.
0:14:55 > 0:14:57Up at that famous gate
0:14:57 > 0:15:00was where Carol and Bernard's escape aspirations
0:15:00 > 0:15:01started to take shape.
0:15:01 > 0:15:06What was once an undeveloped paddock has been completely transformed.
0:15:06 > 0:15:08They now have chickens roaming around
0:15:08 > 0:15:11and the field is stocked with an array of fruit trees, cabbages,
0:15:11 > 0:15:16lettuces, radishes, leeks, swedes and runner beans.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19This is absolutely transformed, isn't it?
0:15:19 > 0:15:20Yeah. Fabulous.
0:15:20 > 0:15:22So, have you come to help me pick these?
0:15:22 > 0:15:26Absolutely, yeah. Everything seems to be flourishing
0:15:26 > 0:15:30without any problem at all, despite this quite elevated, exposed plot.
0:15:30 > 0:15:32A few people came and said,
0:15:32 > 0:15:33"You'll never be able to grow vegetables up here."
0:15:33 > 0:15:36Really? Yeah. And now you've proven wrong. True.
0:15:36 > 0:15:37You never say never.
0:15:37 > 0:15:39And what about the soil here?
0:15:39 > 0:15:41I know you've spent a lot of time improving it
0:15:41 > 0:15:43from the bare paddock that you started with,
0:15:43 > 0:15:46but it's obviously pretty nutritious,
0:15:46 > 0:15:47given what you've done to it.
0:15:47 > 0:15:49It's the stones that get me
0:15:49 > 0:15:51cos you think you've got them all out and then
0:15:51 > 0:15:53you dig it again and... But in my experience, you know,
0:15:53 > 0:15:55that is all part of the fun of gardening in Wales.
0:15:55 > 0:15:58You never get rid of all the stones, but it does help it to drain,
0:15:58 > 0:16:01which is really helpful. Yeah. Hello, mate.
0:16:01 > 0:16:04Look at that. Wow!
0:16:04 > 0:16:05Just picked them, fresh.
0:16:05 > 0:16:07That's fabulous, isn't it?
0:16:07 > 0:16:09So, is this lot for tea tonight, then? No.
0:16:09 > 0:16:14You'll be pleased to hear I'm going to swap these with Glenda,
0:16:14 > 0:16:15and she's going to give us some cakes to eat.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18You're going to swap this lot for cake?! Yeah.
0:16:18 > 0:16:19What a brilliant idea!
0:16:20 > 0:16:22Along with rural seclusion,
0:16:22 > 0:16:25neighbours are also an important foundation.
0:16:26 > 0:16:28And what better way to keep one another on side
0:16:28 > 0:16:32than by sharing freshly grown or home-baked produce?
0:16:32 > 0:16:34Is she in? Did you tell her we were coming?
0:16:34 > 0:16:36Yeah.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39Been baking all morning. Hi, Glenda. Hello. Hello, Glenda.
0:16:39 > 0:16:40Hi. How are you? Fine, thank you.
0:16:40 > 0:16:42Nice to see you. You too.
0:16:42 > 0:16:44So, I gather there is a deal afoot,
0:16:44 > 0:16:47which involves swapping that lot for some cake.
0:16:47 > 0:16:50Oh, I'll see what I can do.
0:16:50 > 0:16:52Look at that. You haven't let us down.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55Ooh! Wow! Beautiful. Is that chocolate cake?
0:16:55 > 0:16:57It's chocolate cake. That's Carol's favourite.
0:16:57 > 0:17:00That's mine. You're not getting any of that.
0:17:00 > 0:17:02I suppose the key thing is, you all have a lot of fun
0:17:02 > 0:17:04living up here on this mountain, don't you?
0:17:04 > 0:17:06No doubt. Oh, definitely,
0:17:06 > 0:17:08and everybody looks out for one another.
0:17:08 > 0:17:10It's such a lovely little community up here.
0:17:10 > 0:17:12Well, we all love country life.
0:17:12 > 0:17:14That is the one thing we all do have in common.
0:17:14 > 0:17:18And the second thing we all have in common is that we all love cake.
0:17:18 > 0:17:20So, there's that for you... Oh, lovely. Thank you ever so much.
0:17:20 > 0:17:22Thank you, Glenda. Very nice to see you. Thank you.
0:17:22 > 0:17:25And we should get that somewhere where we can eat it.
0:17:25 > 0:17:29Enjoy. Will do. Thanks, Glenda. Bye. Thank you very much indeed.
0:17:29 > 0:17:31After you, Carol. I've got these, though.
0:17:31 > 0:17:35Oh, yes. Well, what a perfect end to a perfect day.
0:17:35 > 0:17:37Tea and cake.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52Right across the British countryside,
0:17:52 > 0:17:56I've seen house-buyers all with very different lifestyle ambitions
0:17:56 > 0:17:59fall in love with the properties we've shown them.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02It's always wonderful to hear when they make that all-important offer,
0:18:02 > 0:18:04which goes on to be accepted.
0:18:05 > 0:18:07Coming up, a couple of highlights
0:18:07 > 0:18:10from our Welsh house-hunting success stories.
0:18:12 > 0:18:14In the summer of 2014,
0:18:14 > 0:18:17there was high emotion from the outset when Gill and Ian
0:18:17 > 0:18:20from Kent were in Denbighshire with Sonali Shah.
0:18:22 > 0:18:24Ian, she's got tears already.
0:18:27 > 0:18:31Oh, it's beautiful. It is, isn't it?
0:18:31 > 0:18:34Look at it. It's just gorgeous. Just look at the view from here.
0:18:34 > 0:18:41It's only recently been converted into a lovely, lovely family home.
0:18:41 > 0:18:44For their ?500,000 budget,
0:18:44 > 0:18:47this former farm building was the Mystery House.
0:18:47 > 0:18:51It came with four beautiful double bedrooms upstairs
0:18:51 > 0:18:54and featured a ground floor that centred on a lofty living room
0:18:54 > 0:18:58with no less than three other reception rooms.
0:18:58 > 0:19:00Plus the heart of the home.
0:19:00 > 0:19:03It's perfect. It's perfect.
0:19:03 > 0:19:05And you've got the dining room area just here,
0:19:05 > 0:19:09so lots of space for everyone to gather round.
0:19:10 > 0:19:13You're already... You've already moved in in your head.
0:19:13 > 0:19:16And placed the furniture. Have you? Yeah.
0:19:16 > 0:19:18I think you were right with the description about the heart.
0:19:18 > 0:19:20It feels like that, doesn't it?
0:19:23 > 0:19:27You couldn't ask for better reactions to the interior,
0:19:27 > 0:19:29and outside, as well as a pretty garden,
0:19:29 > 0:19:33the mystery also came with two separate enclosures of land.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36I just... I'm just blown away by this property.
0:19:36 > 0:19:37What do you think it's worth? Oh...
0:19:37 > 0:19:40What is this property on the market for?
0:19:40 > 0:19:42It's going to be above our budget.
0:19:42 > 0:19:44575.
0:19:44 > 0:19:47I'm going to take a punt at 520,000.
0:19:47 > 0:19:51OK. Ian's gut was right.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54We have gone under. Oh, you're joking!
0:19:54 > 0:19:56We have gone under your budget,
0:19:56 > 0:20:00but we've gone more under your budget than you thought. Oh, wow.
0:20:00 > 0:20:06OK. This is currently on the market for ?495,000.
0:20:06 > 0:20:07Is it?
0:20:09 > 0:20:13With such gushing approval, it should come as no surprise
0:20:13 > 0:20:16that Gill and Ian had an offer accepted on the Mystery House
0:20:16 > 0:20:19just a week after their viewing with Sonali.
0:20:21 > 0:20:24A year later in the autumn of 2015,
0:20:24 > 0:20:26I met Maxine from Milton Keynes
0:20:26 > 0:20:30who had a ?350,000 budget and was looking
0:20:30 > 0:20:34for a new Welsh home with the support of her son Ceiron.
0:20:34 > 0:20:35Oh, wow!
0:20:35 > 0:20:37One of the first things I was going to do
0:20:37 > 0:20:41when I got my little cottage was to paint the door
0:20:41 > 0:20:42and the window frames red.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45Well, we've done it for you! Yeah. It's already done.
0:20:45 > 0:20:47First impressions of this quaint
0:20:47 > 0:20:50200-year-old former quarryman's cottage
0:20:50 > 0:20:53in the county of Gwynedd were really encouraging.
0:20:53 > 0:20:55There. How about this?
0:20:55 > 0:20:57Lovely. I knew it would be.
0:20:57 > 0:21:00I knew it would be. It's gorgeous. It's gorgeous.
0:21:00 > 0:21:04And it's a really good shape to use. I love it.
0:21:04 > 0:21:06I know it's going to sound funny,
0:21:06 > 0:21:09but I was going to get a carpet like this to go with my red door,
0:21:09 > 0:21:11you know, cos I know the colour fits in places like this.
0:21:11 > 0:21:13Come and have a look at the kitchen.
0:21:13 > 0:21:16You might need to duck here. Yeah, duck. Gosh.
0:21:16 > 0:21:18Do watch your head, but it's well worth it,
0:21:18 > 0:21:20cos this is what you get.
0:21:20 > 0:21:22It just gets better and better.
0:21:22 > 0:21:24Got to agree with that, actually. You like that? Yeah.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27It's quite olde-worlde. I like this.
0:21:27 > 0:21:29It feels modern but still rustic.
0:21:29 > 0:21:31It's got more head height. Yeah.
0:21:31 > 0:21:33It's just wonderful. I wouldn't change anything.
0:21:35 > 0:21:38There were three bedrooms, including two doubles,
0:21:38 > 0:21:40but the icing on the country cake
0:21:40 > 0:21:44had to be the 1.8 acres of land and an incredible outlook
0:21:44 > 0:21:47with views of the mountains and sea.
0:21:47 > 0:21:49Look at that. Oh, wow!
0:21:49 > 0:21:54So, how far do you think is your ?350,000 going to go
0:21:54 > 0:21:57with this particular property, Maxine?
0:21:57 > 0:22:00Not far. It's just too ideal.
0:22:00 > 0:22:05It's got to be the top of my budget. 350 at least, if not more.
0:22:05 > 0:22:08Cei? I'm going to say about 320.
0:22:08 > 0:22:11I mean, 350 is affordable, technically. Yeah.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14320 is even more affordable.
0:22:14 > 0:22:18295,000, however, makes it really affordable. Wow.
0:22:18 > 0:22:20Oh, that's really good.
0:22:20 > 0:22:22What do you think about that, mate? Awestruck.
0:22:22 > 0:22:24THEY LAUGH
0:22:24 > 0:22:27Maxine loved the cottage, but sadly,
0:22:27 > 0:22:30she couldn't secure a sale on her Milton Keynes home
0:22:30 > 0:22:32in time before it was sold.
0:22:32 > 0:22:34I'm glad to report, though,
0:22:34 > 0:22:37that she has now moved into another cottage in Gwynedd.
0:22:42 > 0:22:44Now, in describing Wales
0:22:44 > 0:22:47there are many fabulous facts and figures to draw upon.
0:22:47 > 0:22:51For example, it has more castles per square mile
0:22:51 > 0:22:52than anywhere else in the world,
0:22:52 > 0:22:55and also of course, some very proud traditions.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58Amongst them, rugby, male voice choirs and mining.
0:22:58 > 0:23:01And as for its population of some 3 million people,
0:23:01 > 0:23:06well, they are outnumbered by sheep by a factor of some three to one.
0:23:06 > 0:23:08It's also over the years offered great value for money
0:23:08 > 0:23:10for many property shoppers wanting to move here,
0:23:10 > 0:23:12but of course, there are always going to be
0:23:12 > 0:23:17exceptions to the rule, as we soon discovered with Nikki and Jason,
0:23:17 > 0:23:18who'd asked us to try and find them
0:23:18 > 0:23:22not just a home but also a business over on Wales' west coast.
0:23:24 > 0:23:28Back in 2008, professional singers and musicians Nikki and Jason
0:23:28 > 0:23:31were living in Somerset's Weston-Super-Mare.
0:23:31 > 0:23:34However, both of them had reached a point where they wanted
0:23:34 > 0:23:36to combine their shared love of dogs,
0:23:36 > 0:23:40cycling and food to carve out a new career in the hospitality industry.
0:23:42 > 0:23:44We'd like to move to the country basically
0:23:44 > 0:23:45just to get away from it all,
0:23:45 > 0:23:47from sort of the hustle and bustle of town life.
0:23:47 > 0:23:50Approaching 40 now and doing what we do for a living,
0:23:50 > 0:23:53it would be nice to have a lifestyle change.
0:23:53 > 0:23:55So, the destination was fixed on West Wales
0:23:55 > 0:23:59and they had their hopes set on a detached period home
0:23:59 > 0:24:02with a large kitchen/diner, scope for a music studio,
0:24:02 > 0:24:07holiday lets, plus lots of land, and to find all this,
0:24:07 > 0:24:10they had an absolute maximum budget of ?330,000.
0:24:14 > 0:24:17The first attempt at tracking down the life they were dreaming of
0:24:17 > 0:24:20was in the rural hamlet of Bontnewydd
0:24:20 > 0:24:22in the county of Ceredigion,
0:24:22 > 0:24:24where I revealed a house in a wooded area
0:24:24 > 0:24:26that wasn't short of history.
0:24:26 > 0:24:28How about that? That's so pretty.
0:24:28 > 0:24:30It's an old mill. Lovely.
0:24:30 > 0:24:33That's good. Water is a feature of this property.
0:24:33 > 0:24:35Right, OK. It kind of surrounds it.
0:24:35 > 0:24:37I'm thinking ducks. What, like a moat?
0:24:37 > 0:24:40Well, yeah. It is like a moat, actually.
0:24:40 > 0:24:42A castle. JULES LAUGHS
0:24:42 > 0:24:44It's a classic West Walian cottage.
0:24:44 > 0:24:47Can we see it? Yeah. Yeah, all right. Come on.
0:24:47 > 0:24:49This is really sweet.
0:24:51 > 0:24:54Now, come on in here, Nikki.
0:24:55 > 0:25:00Now, Jason... Wow. Nice beams. It's quite small.
0:25:00 > 0:25:03It is a bit small. It's not the biggest kitchen in the world,
0:25:03 > 0:25:05but, you know, in the context of the house,
0:25:05 > 0:25:08I think it's pretty well proportioned.
0:25:08 > 0:25:12Great start. I think it is a great start, but it does get better.
0:25:12 > 0:25:15Does it? Yeah. Come with me through here.
0:25:15 > 0:25:17I think you're going to like this.
0:25:18 > 0:25:21You're right. THEY LAUGH
0:25:21 > 0:25:24Wow. What do you make of that? That's brilliant. Wow.
0:25:24 > 0:25:27What a lovely homey, cosy...
0:25:27 > 0:25:29TARDIS. When can we move in?
0:25:29 > 0:25:32JULES LAUGHS Is this what you had in mind?
0:25:32 > 0:25:34Is this you? This is exactly...
0:25:34 > 0:25:37This is so Nikki, I can't even begin to tell you.
0:25:37 > 0:25:40There were generous living areas on the ground-floor
0:25:40 > 0:25:44and an equally good amount upstairs, with three large bedrooms.
0:25:44 > 0:25:47One was a double with painted wooden panelling.
0:25:47 > 0:25:49There was a second spacious double,
0:25:49 > 0:25:51with the last one presented as a twin.
0:25:51 > 0:25:54Although Jason and Nikki seemed quite taken
0:25:54 > 0:25:56with some of the features in this house,
0:25:56 > 0:25:58it didn't quite deliver everything.
0:25:58 > 0:26:00So, in terms of holiday annexe,
0:26:00 > 0:26:02we can't offer you one of those here.
0:26:02 > 0:26:06I know the holiday let is part of your means
0:26:06 > 0:26:08of affording this big move.
0:26:08 > 0:26:12So, make me an offer, Jason.
0:26:12 > 0:26:17I'm going to hazard a guess at sort of between 270 and 275.
0:26:17 > 0:26:19OK.
0:26:19 > 0:26:20Nikki?
0:26:20 > 0:26:23I'm going to go higher than that. I think it's about 285.
0:26:23 > 0:26:25285. Mm. OK.
0:26:25 > 0:26:30Well, this place is on the market for a fiver short of ?300,000.
0:26:30 > 0:26:32Wow. Is it really?
0:26:33 > 0:26:36The character and traditional features
0:26:36 > 0:26:38definitely seemed to be to Nikki and Jason's taste,
0:26:38 > 0:26:41but there was no doubt they would have to make compromises
0:26:41 > 0:26:42with this first one.
0:26:42 > 0:26:45Well, guys, that was number one.
0:26:45 > 0:26:47Is it on the list? Not quite.
0:26:47 > 0:26:50Not quite? Let's see if we can find one that will go on the list.
0:26:50 > 0:26:51Come on.
0:26:59 > 0:27:01The next day, our property tour
0:27:01 > 0:27:05took us to the small village of Ciliau Aeron,
0:27:05 > 0:27:07where we saw a house hidden away in woodland
0:27:07 > 0:27:10with a substantial 4.5 acres of land.
0:27:10 > 0:27:12Look around you, cos we're right bang in the middle of it.
0:27:12 > 0:27:15Really? You've got a mixture of open pasture, down there.
0:27:15 > 0:27:18A mixture of this lovely deciduous woodland.
0:27:18 > 0:27:21You've got bags of space.
0:27:21 > 0:27:24Is there a house included? There is a house included.
0:27:24 > 0:27:27That's it. Nestling up there on top of the hill.
0:27:27 > 0:27:30Absolutely lovely.
0:27:30 > 0:27:33The cottage, dating back to the 1800s with modern additions,
0:27:33 > 0:27:36had a lovely country kitchen in the oldest part of it.
0:27:36 > 0:27:38That's very pretty, isn't it?
0:27:38 > 0:27:40Yeah? Yeah, that's really nice. That's nice.
0:27:40 > 0:27:43It's actually... It's a really nice-sized room.
0:27:43 > 0:27:46It is. Look at that view. Beams on the ceiling.
0:27:46 > 0:27:49You see? That's your estate. That's fantastic. It's beautiful.
0:27:49 > 0:27:51Right, moving on...
0:27:51 > 0:27:54This is the extension, so it's less than 20-odd years old,
0:27:54 > 0:27:56but it's got some lovely little features in it,
0:27:56 > 0:27:57not least, of course, that.
0:27:57 > 0:27:59Fireplace. That's lovely. That's perfect.
0:27:59 > 0:28:02Of course, you've got those. Fantastic big windows, yeah.
0:28:02 > 0:28:05Brilliant. Just absolutely perfect.
0:28:05 > 0:28:07Well, that was it for the living space in this property,
0:28:07 > 0:28:09and when it came to bedrooms,
0:28:09 > 0:28:11there were two doubles to choose from.
0:28:12 > 0:28:16Next up was the land, and that included a large timber garage,
0:28:16 > 0:28:20stabling and plenty of green spaces.
0:28:20 > 0:28:22That's immense.
0:28:22 > 0:28:25My God. That is fantastic. It really is fantastic.
0:28:25 > 0:28:29So, it begs the question, how much is it worth, guys?
0:28:29 > 0:28:30I think it's well over budget.
0:28:30 > 0:28:33I think it's probably about 350, 355.
0:28:33 > 0:28:35And what do you say, Nikki?
0:28:35 > 0:28:37Probably something like 385, actually.
0:28:37 > 0:28:38385. Wow.
0:28:38 > 0:28:41Offers in the region of...
0:28:42 > 0:28:46..?312,000.
0:28:46 > 0:28:48HE LAUGHS
0:28:48 > 0:28:51No. You're joking. I'm not joking.
0:28:51 > 0:28:53I think this is a real steal.
0:28:53 > 0:28:56Now, in terms of the whole holiday let thing... Yeah, this is an issue.
0:28:56 > 0:28:58..it is an issue and I think it's something
0:28:58 > 0:28:59that you really need to think about.
0:28:59 > 0:29:03If you can develop a bit of this as a holiday let, brilliant,
0:29:03 > 0:29:05but if you can afford it as it is,
0:29:05 > 0:29:08you'll have an awful lot of fun here. Mm.
0:29:08 > 0:29:11So, the second option was another lovely cottage,
0:29:11 > 0:29:14again under budget, with all the land they could wish for,
0:29:14 > 0:29:16but, unfortunately, once again,
0:29:16 > 0:29:19there weren't any ready-made holiday lets.
0:29:25 > 0:29:29So, I presented Nikki and Jason with two good options,
0:29:29 > 0:29:31both of them characterful cottages,
0:29:31 > 0:29:35one of them with 4.5 acres of tranquil grounds,
0:29:35 > 0:29:37but it seemed neither had quite enough space
0:29:37 > 0:29:40or that all-important holiday let.
0:29:40 > 0:29:43So, enter our Mystery House, and for this,
0:29:43 > 0:29:46we went all-out for business potential.
0:29:46 > 0:29:48And I mean potential.
0:29:49 > 0:29:51To get to that final property on our hit list,
0:29:51 > 0:29:55we weren't travelling far as it was again in Ciliau Aeron.
0:29:55 > 0:29:57I asked Nikki and Jason not to peek
0:29:57 > 0:30:01at what I had in store until the very last moment.
0:30:01 > 0:30:03Keep walking. Jason, keep walking.
0:30:03 > 0:30:06And stop. And...open your eyes.
0:30:06 > 0:30:09Oh, cool. Well, that's nice.
0:30:09 > 0:30:10Wow! That's lovely.
0:30:10 > 0:30:13We can't afford this! LAUGHTER
0:30:13 > 0:30:16Getting slightly teary. Are you?
0:30:16 > 0:30:18Yeah. Why? Cos it's lovely.
0:30:18 > 0:30:21It's beautiful. It's absolutely gorgeous.
0:30:21 > 0:30:23We've got a range of outbuildings,
0:30:23 > 0:30:25we've got a lot of land for you to play with, Jason.
0:30:25 > 0:30:29It's the dream. Come in here.
0:30:29 > 0:30:32This is, I guess, the sort of parlour/snug.
0:30:32 > 0:30:35Very traditional for this kind of building.
0:30:35 > 0:30:36It's a nice little room.
0:30:36 > 0:30:39This, Nikki, I thought you would really love.
0:30:39 > 0:30:41You were right. I love it. It's nice to have the stone walls.
0:30:41 > 0:30:44So far, so good? So far, so good. Really nice room. Lovely.
0:30:44 > 0:30:45Obviously, it's very old.
0:30:45 > 0:30:47It does need a little bit of updating.
0:30:47 > 0:30:49You'll see what I mean with the kitchen.
0:30:50 > 0:30:52It is a good size.
0:30:52 > 0:30:53It's all here, all the plumbing,
0:30:53 > 0:30:55and all that sort of stuff, but clearly,
0:30:55 > 0:30:57you would probably want to start again.
0:30:57 > 0:30:59This needs to come out, yes. Yeah.
0:30:59 > 0:31:01Upstairs gave them three bedrooms.
0:31:01 > 0:31:03Granted, the first was small
0:31:03 > 0:31:06but had just enough space to fit in a double bed.
0:31:06 > 0:31:08The other two were larger doubles,
0:31:08 > 0:31:11and both featured exposed stone walls.
0:31:11 > 0:31:14However, there was a lot of work needed
0:31:14 > 0:31:16to make the very best of the property.
0:31:16 > 0:31:18Outside at the back,
0:31:18 > 0:31:20there was access to a loft space above the kitchen
0:31:20 > 0:31:24which I thought could have made an ideal spot for a music studio.
0:31:24 > 0:31:26And then there was more.
0:31:26 > 0:31:28I've been itching to show you this since we got here.
0:31:28 > 0:31:30Effectively, it's a Welsh long house.
0:31:30 > 0:31:33Kind of a long barn, if you like. But it's neatly subdivided into two.
0:31:33 > 0:31:36So, I'm thinking maybe a couple of holiday lets in here.
0:31:36 > 0:31:39Two. Two. Is it big enough for two?
0:31:39 > 0:31:41Well, you tell me.
0:31:41 > 0:31:43But I have to warn you, they do need a bit of work.
0:31:43 > 0:31:46Right. You'll see what I mean. Right.
0:31:47 > 0:31:54Come in, you two. How much vision have you got?
0:31:54 > 0:31:58This needs a lot of work. A lot of work, yeah.
0:31:58 > 0:32:00Lots to think about here, but let's have a look outside
0:32:00 > 0:32:02because it's not all about buildings, you know.
0:32:03 > 0:32:05The land on offer with the Mystery House
0:32:05 > 0:32:09extended to a whopping 6.5 acres that included a summer house,
0:32:09 > 0:32:12three fields and a paddock.
0:32:12 > 0:32:18Now then, your 330 grand or so, set against this lot.
0:32:18 > 0:32:23What do you think, Nikki? I think I'd put my guess at 350.
0:32:23 > 0:32:24350? Mm.
0:32:24 > 0:32:26OK. Go on, Jason.
0:32:26 > 0:32:29I'm going to stab a guess at 320.
0:32:29 > 0:32:33It's on the market for ?340,000.
0:32:34 > 0:32:37So, with three properties now in the frame,
0:32:37 > 0:32:40what happened next for Nikki and Jason?
0:32:40 > 0:32:43Did they scale down their business plans
0:32:43 > 0:32:44and go for our first property?
0:32:44 > 0:32:47It was under budget, as was the second,
0:32:47 > 0:32:50which offered 4.5 acres of woodland.
0:32:50 > 0:32:53Or would that enormous potential of the Mystery House
0:32:53 > 0:32:55put it in pole position?
0:32:57 > 0:33:01In the end, our Mystery House did prove to be a step too far
0:33:01 > 0:33:04and sadly none of the properties we showed them
0:33:04 > 0:33:06were quite on the money,
0:33:06 > 0:33:08but I am delighted to say that they did eventually
0:33:08 > 0:33:11make their dream of escaping to the country come true,
0:33:11 > 0:33:13complete with holiday lets.
0:33:13 > 0:33:15So, the question is, how did they do it
0:33:15 > 0:33:17and how are they getting on?
0:33:17 > 0:33:20Well, that is what I'm here to find out.
0:33:21 > 0:33:25After our initial journey together nearer the West Wales coast,
0:33:25 > 0:33:28Nikki and Jason decided to extend their search,
0:33:28 > 0:33:32eventually finding the ideal set-up further inland.
0:33:32 > 0:33:34Just nine months after we met,
0:33:34 > 0:33:37their new country address became a Welsh farmhouse
0:33:37 > 0:33:39across the border in Carmarthenshire,
0:33:39 > 0:33:42just outside the village of Pencader
0:33:42 > 0:33:45and right on the edge of the Brechfa Forest.
0:33:45 > 0:33:49And what a set-up they've created.
0:33:49 > 0:33:54For a price tag of ?250,000, they've got a farmhouse,
0:33:54 > 0:33:56laden with traditional character,
0:33:56 > 0:34:00and met Nikki's aspirations for her dream property.
0:34:00 > 0:34:03What's more, the grounds are now home to three holiday lets,
0:34:03 > 0:34:06which are set up as dog-friendly retreats
0:34:06 > 0:34:09and fully-catered guided mountain bike breaks
0:34:09 > 0:34:11led by Jason himself.
0:34:11 > 0:34:14Today is changeover day for their guests
0:34:14 > 0:34:16and I've come to give them a hand.
0:34:18 > 0:34:19Nikki! Hi, Jules. Look at you!
0:34:19 > 0:34:22How are you? I'm very well. Good to see you again. Hello, mate.
0:34:22 > 0:34:24Jules, how are you doing? Look at this!
0:34:24 > 0:34:26This is what you've managed to achieve.
0:34:26 > 0:34:28Well, we've achieved a lot more. We've got so much to show you.
0:34:28 > 0:34:31Come on then. Let's have a look around. Wonderful, isn't it?
0:34:33 > 0:34:34Well, time has passed,
0:34:34 > 0:34:37but I must say, immersing themselves in country life
0:34:37 > 0:34:40has clearly worked and they haven't aged a day.
0:34:41 > 0:34:43Oh, yes. This is fantastic.
0:34:43 > 0:34:47It's got all the character you were talking about and more.
0:34:47 > 0:34:49I mean, have you had to do much to get it like this?
0:34:49 > 0:34:52It just needed a little bit of a spruce up with some paint
0:34:52 > 0:34:55and here we've now opened it up and built it into this conservatory.
0:34:55 > 0:34:58Wow! And look at the views you've captured through here. Yeah.
0:34:58 > 0:35:00Come and have a look at these.
0:35:00 > 0:35:02What do you think of it?
0:35:02 > 0:35:04What an addition you've brought to this building.
0:35:04 > 0:35:07I can see instantly it's given you so much more space, hasn't it?
0:35:07 > 0:35:10And we've laid on coffee as well, if you fancy having one.
0:35:10 > 0:35:13Excellent, yes. It's been a long journey to come and see you.
0:35:13 > 0:35:15Wow!
0:35:15 > 0:35:19So, let's talk about eight years ago.
0:35:19 > 0:35:23Your budget was obviously the big problem, wasn't it?
0:35:23 > 0:35:24How did you resolve that?
0:35:24 > 0:35:27We decided to come back and look in the area
0:35:27 > 0:35:30but this time Carmarthenshire, which was more affordable.
0:35:30 > 0:35:34And we found this property and absolutely loved it,
0:35:34 > 0:35:35but we couldn't sell ours.
0:35:35 > 0:35:38A few months later, when the programme was aired,
0:35:38 > 0:35:41my father saw it and phoned and asked
0:35:41 > 0:35:43if we were still wanting to go ahead with this crazy idea
0:35:43 > 0:35:47we had of mountain biking holidays and dog-friendly holidays in Wales
0:35:47 > 0:35:50and was this definitely the property,
0:35:50 > 0:35:52and we said yes and yes, and he said,
0:35:52 > 0:35:56"Well, phone the guy and say that you're going to buy it."
0:35:56 > 0:35:58I said, "We can't because we can't sell our house."
0:35:58 > 0:36:02And he said, "Well, you've just sold it to me."
0:36:02 > 0:36:04With that helping hand,
0:36:04 > 0:36:06they managed to bag themselves an acre plot,
0:36:06 > 0:36:11on which sat a dated stone farmhouse and a separate stone barn
0:36:11 > 0:36:13that had a leaky zinc roof.
0:36:13 > 0:36:15But with help from friends and family
0:36:15 > 0:36:18and limited to a very tight budget,
0:36:18 > 0:36:21they managed to complete the necessary renovation work.
0:36:21 > 0:36:22Just a year later,
0:36:22 > 0:36:25they were ready to welcome their first paying guests.
0:36:25 > 0:36:27Let's go back to the life you left behind in Weston-Super-Mare.
0:36:27 > 0:36:30You were both singing on the circuit, as it were,
0:36:30 > 0:36:32of many an evening.
0:36:32 > 0:36:34Did you ever at any point in the struggle
0:36:34 > 0:36:36to get these holiday lets going
0:36:36 > 0:36:38wonder if you'd made the right decision?
0:36:38 > 0:36:42I think we knew we'd made the right decision
0:36:42 > 0:36:44but we didn't rest on our laurels for a second
0:36:44 > 0:36:46and assume it was going to happen.
0:36:46 > 0:36:47There was an awful lot of work to do,
0:36:47 > 0:36:49and it has been an awful lot of work,
0:36:49 > 0:36:51but it's been worth it.
0:36:51 > 0:36:56I think a lot of people are quite envious of what I do for a job.
0:36:56 > 0:36:57I say envious.
0:36:57 > 0:37:00You'll get some of the guys who come from some city
0:37:00 > 0:37:03who are quite well paid in their jobs,
0:37:03 > 0:37:05and they come here and they see what I do and they think,
0:37:05 > 0:37:07"I'd love to do that."
0:37:07 > 0:37:09But they obviously wouldn't do it and give up their salaries.
0:37:09 > 0:37:12Yeah. So, it's not the best paid job in the world,
0:37:12 > 0:37:15but I think it's the best job.
0:37:15 > 0:37:18But that goes to the heart of the lifestyle
0:37:18 > 0:37:22that you've charted for yourselves, I suppose,
0:37:22 > 0:37:25which is presumably richer and more fulfilling
0:37:25 > 0:37:29than you could ever have planned. Yeah. Yeah, and busier.
0:37:30 > 0:37:34Since they established their new life and business here,
0:37:34 > 0:37:37Nikki and Jason have done nothing but work seven days a week,
0:37:37 > 0:37:42and they can't emphasise enough just how much of a slog it's been.
0:37:42 > 0:37:44But it wasn't in vain,
0:37:44 > 0:37:47as they're now 96% full on bookings and their efforts
0:37:47 > 0:37:50have been recognised with local awards
0:37:50 > 0:37:54for business achievement and their contribution to the local economy.
0:37:54 > 0:37:57They're expecting a party of six mountain bikers this afternoon
0:37:57 > 0:37:59and there's loads of prep to get done,
0:37:59 > 0:38:01starting in the kitchen.
0:38:01 > 0:38:03So, what's on the menu tonight, Nikki?
0:38:03 > 0:38:06Well, the mountain bikers have ordered field mushrooms
0:38:06 > 0:38:07stuffed with cream cheese,
0:38:07 > 0:38:10walnuts and sun-dried tomatoes for their starter.
0:38:10 > 0:38:12And then they've ordered chicken Rogan Josh.
0:38:12 > 0:38:15It's cordon bleu, isn't it? Well, not quite.
0:38:15 > 0:38:17So, what can I help you do, then? Do you want these chopped up?
0:38:17 > 0:38:19Yeah, if you could chop some peppers for me...
0:38:19 > 0:38:23In sort of strips? In strips, perfect. Yeah. Brilliant, thanks.
0:38:23 > 0:38:25I mean, I suppose at the beginning,
0:38:25 > 0:38:29the incentive was to add catering to the list of options
0:38:29 > 0:38:32because obviously it's another revenue stream, isn't it?
0:38:32 > 0:38:34Yeah, and also it gave me a job as well as, you know,
0:38:34 > 0:38:37in the same way that mountain biking is going to give J a job.
0:38:37 > 0:38:39Yeah. We both needed a job.
0:38:39 > 0:38:40But you have got to allow time
0:38:40 > 0:38:44for yourselves to enjoy the lifestyle that you've created.
0:38:44 > 0:38:47You don't want to be tied to the kitchen seven days a week, do you?
0:38:47 > 0:38:49No, and it did get a bit like that,
0:38:49 > 0:38:53so Jason's made me take two nights off a week now.
0:38:53 > 0:38:56Well, good for you. Wednesdays and Sundays are my time.
0:38:56 > 0:38:58I still have to cook for us, though.
0:38:58 > 0:39:00Well, you know, fair enough. Yeah.
0:39:00 > 0:39:02But you know the thing I think is really clever about it,
0:39:02 > 0:39:05you've done this on what, three quarters of an acre?
0:39:05 > 0:39:07It's an acre plot in total, yeah.
0:39:07 > 0:39:11An acre plot, but of course you got access to hundreds of acres,
0:39:11 > 0:39:15thousands of acres, in terms of the forest,
0:39:15 > 0:39:18and you've got views that, let's face it, money can't buy.
0:39:18 > 0:39:21Well, for me, that's a bonus because if we'd had land with this,
0:39:21 > 0:39:23which we couldn't have afforded,
0:39:23 > 0:39:25then we would have had to have managed it,
0:39:25 > 0:39:26which would have been more money.
0:39:26 > 0:39:28This way, we get to look at the views
0:39:28 > 0:39:30and somebody else is managing it.
0:39:30 > 0:39:32We'll never take this view for granted
0:39:32 > 0:39:33because it is exceptional,
0:39:33 > 0:39:36in the same way that I'll never take the order book for granted
0:39:36 > 0:39:38and that's why I can't leave it alone, to be honest,
0:39:38 > 0:39:40until every gap is filled.
0:39:41 > 0:39:44As the business has grown, so has their family of beagles,
0:39:44 > 0:39:48Woody and Cookie, who are now joined by three-year-old Oscar.
0:39:48 > 0:39:51So, it's not only the guests who are benefiting
0:39:51 > 0:39:54from everything the nearby forest house to offer.
0:39:54 > 0:39:56And the person here who knows the lay of that woodland best
0:39:56 > 0:39:58is busy in his bike shed.
0:39:58 > 0:40:00Hey, Jason. Hi, Jules. How are you doing?
0:40:00 > 0:40:01This is fabulous, isn't it?
0:40:01 > 0:40:05Well, the initial idea was to have a music studio. Yeah.
0:40:05 > 0:40:07Obviously, things have changed a lot since then.
0:40:07 > 0:40:10How much maintenance do you have to do on these?
0:40:10 > 0:40:12Because they obviously get a fair bit of punishment.
0:40:12 > 0:40:16It's always wet, it's always dirty, and it's always really boggy,
0:40:16 > 0:40:18so these bikes get completely covered in mud.
0:40:18 > 0:40:21I've just finished the service on the forks
0:40:21 > 0:40:22and I've got to rebuild them.
0:40:22 > 0:40:24I'll give you a hand while I'm here. That'll be fabulous.
0:40:24 > 0:40:27Basically, you just slide these into there.
0:40:27 > 0:40:29Oh, OK. Fine.
0:40:31 > 0:40:33Jason's guided tours mean he's in the saddle
0:40:33 > 0:40:36for some six or seven hours a day through all weathers,
0:40:36 > 0:40:38covering all terrain.
0:40:38 > 0:40:40Right on their doorstep,
0:40:40 > 0:40:44Brechfa's 18,000 acres of managed woodland and ancient forest
0:40:44 > 0:40:47have an abundance of routes and wild trails to choose from.
0:40:49 > 0:40:52But what's been the hardest thing for you in setting up your business?
0:40:52 > 0:40:54Because there's obviously quite a financial outlay,
0:40:54 > 0:40:56just looking around what's in here.
0:40:56 > 0:40:59Yeah, we've had loads of support from the local government
0:40:59 > 0:41:02with grants for tourism.
0:41:02 > 0:41:04You need to be first-aid qualified,
0:41:04 > 0:41:06you need to be a pretty good navigator. Yeah.
0:41:06 > 0:41:09You need all the correct communication devices
0:41:09 > 0:41:12and you need to know how to manage a group as well.
0:41:12 > 0:41:13So, what's next?
0:41:13 > 0:41:16A wheel would be good. A wheel. Oh, here we are.
0:41:16 > 0:41:19The bikes are nearly ready for the next expedition,
0:41:19 > 0:41:20whilst in the holiday cottages,
0:41:20 > 0:41:23Nikki is working on the finishing touches
0:41:23 > 0:41:25before their holiday guests arrive.
0:41:25 > 0:41:27Hey, how are you? Hi. All done.
0:41:27 > 0:41:29It's been a fascinating window on your world,
0:41:29 > 0:41:31and a real inspiration.
0:41:31 > 0:41:34Thank you. It all started with Escape To The Country,
0:41:34 > 0:41:37so it's lovely that you've come back to see how we're getting on.
0:41:37 > 0:41:40What advice would you both give to anybody who is as inspired
0:41:40 > 0:41:43as I've been by what you've been able to achieve?
0:41:43 > 0:41:44There's three types of people.
0:41:44 > 0:41:47There's those who talk about it, those who think it,
0:41:47 > 0:41:50and those who do it, so just go ahead and do it.
0:41:50 > 0:41:53Just do it. So what time are your bikers coming?
0:41:53 > 0:41:56Any minute. Right then. I'd better get out of the way!
0:41:57 > 0:41:59Where others saw obstacles,
0:41:59 > 0:42:02Nikki and Jason only saw opportunities.
0:42:02 > 0:42:07And through determination, business flair and real hard graft,
0:42:07 > 0:42:11their dreams of a country life and a successful rural enterprise
0:42:11 > 0:42:13have become a reality.
0:42:15 > 0:42:19Well, I never need any excuse to come back to Wales,
0:42:19 > 0:42:21and this last couple of days for me really has been
0:42:21 > 0:42:23a trip down memory lane.
0:42:23 > 0:42:26Catching up with Bernard and Carol,
0:42:26 > 0:42:29who've managed to transform their idea of self-sufficiency
0:42:29 > 0:42:33into a way of buying into their local community
0:42:33 > 0:42:35in more ways than one has been a real treat.
0:42:35 > 0:42:37And as for Nikki and Jason, well,
0:42:37 > 0:42:41seeing them not only find a home that really suits them,
0:42:41 > 0:42:44but also creating a business which has surpassed
0:42:44 > 0:42:48even their original expectations has been a real inspiration.
0:42:48 > 0:42:52Two couples who've created two very different lifestyles
0:42:52 > 0:42:54but which together, to me,
0:42:54 > 0:42:58go to the heart of what escaping into the country is all about.
0:42:58 > 0:42:59I'll see you next time.
0:43:01 > 0:43:05If you also dream of escaping to the country in Wales, Scotland,
0:43:05 > 0:43:08England or Northern Ireland and would like our help,
0:43:08 > 0:43:10why not apply online at...?
0:43:43 > 0:43:45MUSIC: The Elements by Tom Lehrer