Sometimes life can force you to evaluate the path you are on and encourage you to make a huge change. An unexpected tragedy within the family of couple Sue and Rich was a massive motivator for them to stop dreaming about a lifestyle and start making it happen.
Within the last two years, the Northamptonshire based couple had lost both of Sue's parents and then more tragedy struck. Rich says: "I lost my sister very suddenly and it just highlighted the fact that life's too short really to not be doing what you feel like you should be doing, so now is the time that we want to make the move and live the rest of our lives."
And the start of that journey was contacting Escape to the Country to help them explore their chosen region of Powys and hopefully find the couple the property, and crucially the land, of their dreams. To see the latest dream homes in Wales, subscribe to our newsletter here.
READ MORE: Woman who asked for dream Escape to the Country Welsh home then complains it's too far from London
Presenter Steve Brown is shocked to discover the couple are moving from a stunning, 'chocolate box' cottage that he usually shows people on the show who are looking for a pretty property in the country to buy not to sell, but Sue and Rich are clear this move is more about the land and the location than the home.
For their budget of £600k to £650k the couple want at least two bedrooms, an office, a garage, 1-2 acres of land they can use for glamping and cabins, plus countryside and walks on their doorstep to immerse themselves within the landscape of this gorgeous Welsh county.
The first property in the village of Franksbridge near Builth Wells is an absolute stunner, an 1880s white-washed stone cottage that boasts not only 'quirky interiors' packed with character and a wonderful elevated side extension, but an established holiday cabin within the acre of land too.
The cabin is met with just as much enthusiasm as the main house with Sue declaring she would love to spend time in this five-sided cabin that is much more spacious than its external façade suggests. And outside there's a hot tub for guests too.
The couple are impressed with how pretty and appealing the whole property package is, especially when they find out the price of £495,000, well below their buying budget.
Property number two is in the small village of Penybont with Llandrindod Wells only a 20 minute drive away, and it's another pretty home that oozes kerb appeal.
As one of the oldest cottages in the village, the inside of this dream home is special, with exposed stone chimney breasts housing log burners, wooden flooring, stone walls in the former longhouse section at the rear, and an added garden room.
This house comes with an established holiday let within its land too, and this one is spacious and immaculate, a cabin that Steve describes as the jewel in this property's crown.
And it doesn't stop there - exploring further around the land reveals a very pretty Shepherd's Hut waiting to impress, with its own private hot tub and country views.
This property package comes in at £650,000 and the couple have even more to think about - two Welsh contenders for their new life in the country, so surely the mystery house can't top this delightful duo?
Arriving at the grand entrance of the mystery house near the border village of Marton, a massive Georgian mansion is peaking out over the wall and for a moment surely the couple think they are about to have the chance to become the lord and lady of the manor?
No, the house that Steve has brought them to see sits on its own land to the side of the manor and it is a mystery indeed as to why he has dragged the couple to see a dated and rather tired looking bungalow.
But the jewel at this particular property is the gorgeous land that surrounds the renovation project.
The bungalow was built in the 1960s by the then owners of the manor house next door and so it benefits from a large slice of the country estate's former land.
At the front is a stunning landscaped garden with mature planting and panoramic views, and to the rear the practical joins the pretty via a large garage and a wooden outbuilding.
The 6.2 acres of land includes two paddocks, an orchard and woodland that ensures this renovation project is enveloped in the most glorious rural aspects that nature can offer.
Sue is overcome with emotion in one section of the land that instantly melts her heart. She says: "It's my walled garden that I've always said that I wanted; I'm getting quite choked up. It's gorgeous. Steve, you made me cry!"
Steve appears on the scene, looking worried, but he is not in any trouble because Sue is crying 'happy tears'. Steve says: "I was listening to you and I was seeing you start getting upset and I had to come and find out why."
Sue explains her tears, saying: "I've always wanted a walled garden and it could be gorgeous, it already is gorgeous, but if we put some borders and stuff back in, we could do so much with this space... but there's no way we can afford this."
The price comes in at £550,000, well below budget, and that revelation has the house hunting couple stunned into silence. The property has already had a few offers come into the agent from rival buyers so Steve suggests if they want, they will have to move fast.
The property viewings are over and it's time to film the final sequence for the programme.
But Steve is in for a surprise when he meets up with the couple to take stock of the three properties the couple have seen, to choose their favourite and maybe even ask him to call the estate agent and make an offer.
The couple were so enthusiastic about finding their new Welsh home and lifestyle change they have already done it.
They were so captivated by the enchanting setting, walled garden and beautiful land that they contacted the agent and put in an offer for the mystery house without him. But Steve is thrilled.
However, this property hunt did not have a happy ever after fairytale ending - the vendor of the bungalow accepted a higher offer and Sue and Rich lost out on their magical mystery house in the country.
However, the programme has helped them to see what picturesque Powys can offer them, the county has understandably captured their hearts, and they continue to look for their escape to the country within its borders. This Escape to the Country story is currently available to view on BBC iPlayer series 23, episode 29.
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