T HE New Year is always a good time to reflect on the previous year and make new plans for the year ahead. With 2010 just around the corner Roger and Cheryl Dixon, have no regrets about a life changing decision they made six years ago and are looking forward to another year of fun and challenges.

Roger, 46 and Cheryl, 43, were enjoying a comfortable life-style in Worcester with their two children Harry and Emily in well-paid professional employment when Roger experienced what he describes as an "emotional mid life crisis" and knew he wanted more out of life.

For 23 years, Roger worked in the IT industry, progressing to senior manager responsible for a team of IT experts. When a colleague took early retirement at 50 — three months before Roger's 40th birthday — he began to realise that there was more to life than working in a target driven highly pressured environment.

"My colleague's retirement was like a wake up call. I knew I couldn't bear doing this type of work for the rest of my life".

When Roger shared his feelings with Cheryl, she had already sensed he was not happy and they started to talk about the type of future together that would be fulfilling as well as financially viable and fit in around their young family.

During their discussions they both remembered a glorious holiday they had in Totnes when they had stayed at Pitt Farm with their children.

"It was a fantastic place to stay and I remember saying to Roger one evening that we could run a business like that," recalls Cheryl.

It may well have been that a seed was planted during that holiday which started to germinate subconsciously in their heads and helped formulate their plans.

Many ideas rose to the surface; they decided against property development and even cookery courses until they finally narrowed their choices to doing something in the tourism sector.

They looked at many tourism businesses throughout the West Country and when they visited North Devon both "fell in love" with it.

When Cheryl's parents Reg and Jenny suggested that they move with them their criteria once again changed and they started to look at properties, which would accommodate both families.

When their offer for a holiday complex near Bideford was accepted they were over the moon and Cheryl set about giving notice on her job as an early years F.E lecturer and started making plans for the move.

Shortly before exchange they heard from their agent that they had been gazumped and were utterly devastated.

They spent a week licking their wounds before going to look at other possible business ventures and when their agent sent them the particulars of North Hayne Farm at Bishop's Nympton they decided to go and have a look.

Cheryl and Roger will never forget the feeling they experienced as they drove down the road to North Hayne taking in the stunning views of Exmoor.

When they got to the bottom of the drive, they both knew instinctively that this would be their new home and business.

Once they had made the decision and purchased the property sheer panic set in!

With the business, they inherited 10 acres of pastureland, seven run down cottages, a farmhouse and a menagerie of animals and a handful of bookings for the cottages.

With little experience of running a business and absolutely no experience of looking after animals the task ahead was daunting.

Cheryl, the children and her mother moved in straight away while Reg and Roger continued working part-time for the next two years until the business was able to support salaries.

Roger recalls commuting to the Midlands and returning to work tirelessly on the cottages. He said: "I worked seven days a week off nervous energy but knew it would be worth it."

Cheryl spent her days cleaning the cottages and developing the business. In the evening she retired to bed with magazines about running a small holding and animal husbandry.

She will always be grateful to the local farmers who were always on hand to help the "townie" become a country girl.

"I remember being advised that the chickens needed drinkers, going to Mole Valley Farmers and feeling really silly because I hadn't got a clue what a drinker was."

Cheryl need not have worried because when she returned with her "drinker" saying she could not work out how to use it the staff good-humouredly explained that the "drinker" didn't work because she had bought a feeder.

"Everyone was so friendly and happy to help us. Even when we called the vet to our sick pig we later had to call on our neighbouring farmer to demonstrate the art of injecting a less than compliant pig."

Six years on however Roger is now a dab hand as "junior farmer".

With the many content animals — donkeys, pig, goats, chickens, ducks, and alpacas — North Hayne is one of North Devon's most successful self-catering holiday destinations.

Cheryl and Roger put the success of their family run business down to hard work and a passion for ensuring that every family who visits is guaranteed a wonderful holiday to remember.

The cottages appeal to families with young children and Cheryl draws on her previous "early years" experience so that the families who visit all enjoy a fun holiday with an educational focus.

"We organise seasonal workshops and activity packs for the children and even a Nativity. They love helping Jenny and 'farmer' Reg on the farm, collecting eggs, taking the goats for walks and riding the donkeys."

While the children enjoy the activities, the adults can relax in hot tubs and experience a range of complementary therapies.

Roger, Cheryl, Reg and Jenny believe they have a huge responsibility to every family who visit.

"People who visit us have worked hard all year to save for a family holiday. We believe it is our job to ensure that their time and experience with us is a fantastic one."

The hard work has most certainly paid off and they are constantly booked throughout the year.

So, as you reflect on this year and focus on changes and plans for 2010 be inspired by Cheryl and Roger. They took a courageous and calculated risk to achieve the life-style they wanted and are now reaping the rewards.

For more details on Cheryl and Roger's new lifestyle log on to www.northhaynefarm cottages.co.uk