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It was January 2006, when my wife Sarah and I thought we needed a change (not from each other) but from the rut of working for a large corporate business and funny enough we were watching a TV program about the Isle of Skye

Well after such a fantastic overview of the programme about the island, I said maybe we should buy a house in the western Isles? So over the next few weeks Sarah and I searched the internet for properties

In March we managed to find 3 properties, one on the Isle of Raasay (local inhabitants around 49), the other 2 on the Isle of Lewis

We planned our journey to view the properties which was 700 miles by road, 15 hours drive laterand 2 ferries away we eventually found our new home, as in the photo


Stornoway, is the main town on the Isle of Lewis and when you see Boots the Chemist, and Woolworths you dont feels so remote. So we viewed the house and fell in love with it, and made an offer on this property


On meeting and familiarising ourselves with the locals I had never felt so welcomed, it was quite endearing we thought that we might feel out of place but that was not the case they also welcome outsiders with or without families coming on the Isle

The 4 occasions that we have been to our house, everyone was pleased to see us, In the South you would almost say that thay are being nosey? but here thay actually do care, our little Daughter Holly who is 6 years old and the locals know her already, even the man with his dog on his daily walk that passes twice a day, knew we were visiting for the week due to the man in the timber merchants who apparently is one of my neighbours

If you are looking to get things done quickly, forget It!! It will not happen. Well yes it will eventually but you have to remember this is at a different pace of life, and you have made this decision to change it! The main thing you will notice is the island is quite large and sometimes you can forget that this is a remote off shore area. so if a storm is brewing keep stocked up, otherwise the ferry may not come in after 3 days and supplies will run low, hence panic buying. So we have planned to build a large larder unit in our new kitchen design for back up supplies, just in case

The other thing to take into account is that the builders have a monopoly, and prices range from 25-50% higher than on the mainland, fuel is slightly higher too food & clothes are reasonable. Ferry cost are outrageous there are no concession prices in place for locals.

On the 6 days a week Monday to Saturday you can go about your normal business, but again remember Sunday is a day of rest, so off to church you go or if you prefer spend a day out with the family.but put away your tools, drilling, knocking, strimming & washing.

You have to respect the locals and work with them, please dont think you can change thier way of life, cos you made the move to change yours.

Well its now mid March 2007, our 5 bedroom victorian house in Margate is fully redecorated and on the market.....so all goes well we will be in the new house (Old House really) by June / July 2007.

On the 4 visits we completed last year after purchasing our croft house we have fresh running water, and electricity connected, oh and after 6 months BT got a line in.

The first job we need to complete will be re tile the roofing, and add new double glazing.........the bathroom is currently in the Kitchen there is a ruin to the right hand side of the property which I want to keep and turn into another room to make this a 3 bedroom property.

So If you are a roofer and are looking for work, give me a knock around August time? as I asked for 3 quotes 12 months ago and im still waiting.

Oh and an old Aga going free............but bring your own bodies with you?

Well, the existing house has now been fully recorated ready for viewing and on the market, not bad for 4 weekends work 5 bedrooms and a 3 storey landing............we had our 1st viewing last Sunday, and on Monday we where told by the agent they love It?.......But.......they are in a chain so who knows but a very good response for 1st try.

So maybe if all goes well we may settle on the Isle sooner than Sarah and I thought as we have other viewings this weekend too.

Today Saturday 31st March, we had 4 viewing on our property which went very well, and on one had a chain on there property so maybe Monday we will hear from the Agents ?

Its now Monday 2nd April, the house viewings went well on Saturday, and by 9:30am this morning we got an offer on our property without a chain, so It looks like subject to contract we will be arriving my June as planned.......an just cant wait until the exchange takes place so we can start our new life.