How did I get here?
It's a long and difficult story but one which has bought me to where I am today.
So if you want to know, read on...

I've never been disillusioned on how tough life can be and I have experienced it first hand when my best friend, Martyn Glynn Matthews died from an 'old man's disease' that doctors failed to diagnose for over a year because he was too young to have it. He was given a terminal diagnosis of Bowel Cancer at the age of 31, which was devastating and tore our world apart but his illness made him even more determined to focus and fight with all of his might. He carried on as best he could while making his dreams still come true, regardless of his prognosis. Marty was very clear right from the start of his diagnosis what his wishes and dreams were for me and although it has taken me a while to get here, I think he would be very happy with how it's all turning out. 

We had always been the couple that were like peas in a pod and inseparable; his dreams were my dreams and my dreams his. We lived for each other and had the greatest respect and love for each other, with a real zest to enjoy life.  

Martyn's prognosis led us to get married; something which he had been putting off, as he had his own vision to ensure we were set up to be financially secure before contemplating on starting our own family. I planned our wedding in 3 weeks and within a budget of £1,200, made sure our 2 beautiful Greyhounds could be a part of it with us and invited our nearest and dearest; a total of 25 guests for a registry office marriage in Truro with a surprise boat trip down the River Fal, for some lunch at Smugglers Cottage. 

To give Martyn the best chance to prolong his life, we sold out beautiful home in Sticker, to fund lung surgery in Germany. During this time, Martyn had also eagerly been trying to get planning permission to build his dream home on a plot of land, where he was bought up as a baby on the Goss Moor in Ennsicaven. For years he had submitted planning applications, which were rejected but he never once gave up hope. Shortly before we were due to leave for Germany, a building policy changed which made it easier to get planning consent in rural areas. We received amazing news that our final attempt to get full planning permission had been accepted and we had been given permission to build a 3 bedroom bungalow.

One week before we left for Marty's surgery in Germany, we decided to name our building plot, so all our post could be redirected to a place that would eventually become our new home. The name we chose symbolised us and is made up of Martyn's middle name (Glynn) and mine (Dawn) to create the name "Glynndawny".

While away in Germany, Marty's dear mum and dad started the ground works for our new home and by the time we returned on 24th October 2013, the build was in full swing. One whole year later to the day, on the afternoon of 23rd October 2014, the oak 'Glynndawny' house sign went up outside. It was like Marty had been waiting for this to happen because sadly the following day, his body gave up and he passed away 24th October 2014.

Throughout Marty's illness, he suffered greatly with many complications during his palliative treatment, which was traumatising to witness. Throughout all he was going through, Marty managed it with such strength, dignity, humour, and was brave throughout. I experienced great sadness, felt helpless, angry with myself on many occasions, depressed and years later diagnosed and treated for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). 

Nearly 8 years later I have finally given myself permission to accept the sanctuary Marty left me and all that has happened since he died. I feel really fortunate to have my partner Antony to share my new adventure with, who has been by my side throughout. 

Why New Dawn for my business name?
I had been trying to come up with some trendy, clever business name that included dogs in the title, but I feel my business is going to be much broader than that, so I knew I wanted it to be something really significant and had meaning to me.

Whilst on the phone to my aunt, Chris, I was telling her about my ideas for the Shepherd Hut and how I wanted to incorporate so much into it including dogs, wildlife on the moor and arts and crafts and she said "it's like your middle name and it's a new dawn for your ideas". So thanks to Chris, she gave me my business name.

Just like the house name 'Glynndawny' which was taken from our middle names. "New Dawn" signifies to me a new beginning and chapter in my life. It's the transformation of darkness into light and it's time for me to take a new journey and move on with my life, whilst doing something I love...  

For weeks I've been pulling together what seems like an endless amount of tasks, procedures, policies, application forms and courage to start my own business - a business that I never thought I had the brains or skill to get off the ground - now to prove myself to myself and get over the fear of being myself! 

I will never forget the past because it's rooted deep within me and it's where I want it to stay. Martyn will always be deep in my heart no matter what I do.

So what's been going on? Where I'm at right now
My dog boarding license is pending so watch this space for news of that and my first shepherd hut has arrived.... but my planning application is still 'Awaiting decision'... so watch this space or if you want to know if and when and if it gets approved, visit the Cornwall Council Planning site... Am I nervous about it not being approved and being rejected? - YES absolutely but what's the worst that can happen? Something I find I ask myself a lot now, as Marty would never worry for tomorrow and only live for today.

I've tried to promise myself that I will try and get my business up and running without having my head constantly stuck in the web of social media, so my website will be my hub of all news. If you'd like to join me on this journey, come back here again soon. 

I promise the next blog will be much shorter now you know my background of how I made it here.   

Photos below of Jabba The Hut arriving at Glynndawny on 7 June 2022.