The stuff of fairytales

This lovely little fairytale house nestles on the beach below Plas Glyn-y-Weddw, an impressive Victorian house in lovely surroundings on the South coast of the Llyn Peninsula. The Plas was originally built as a dower house for Lady Elizabeth Parry Jones but she never lived in it and so it's been home to public art exhibitions since 1896.

From the windows of The Plas we could see a row of small houses on the estate and the secluded beach with this little treasure below. During our visit my Mum looked wistfully at all these small dwellings and extolled the virtues of their lovely aspect, easy access, comfortable size and beautiful shared gardens. And as she did I bit my lip.

My parents are in their 80s and I'd like them to downsize while they still have the energy and the ability to make a choice for themselves about where they live and what they take with them. But while it might be sensible, it's not what they want, or at least not my Mum, who has dug her heels in and refused to budge, both literally and figuratively. We've had some very difficult discussions arguments about it in the last few years and I've had to stop raising the subject.

I really hope it all works out for the best but I do worry. Obviously I want them to be happy and safe and comfortable in their final years - ideally in their own home. But I don't think they're going the right way about it. In fact I think my Mum is well and truly burying her head in the sand. And that perfect little house is still just a fairytale on the beach.