Alistair Appleton guided a family through an emotional property search on Monday's episode of Escape to the Country. Catherine and her mother Deirdre were hoping to find a new home in Cornwall, with the move prompted by Catherine's recent health struggles.
Catherine, who lives with her husband Pete, and her parents Deirdre and Terry, currently reside about a mile and a half apart in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. The whole family planned to sell their properties and relocate together to Cornwall.
Health diagnosis sparks move
Catherine revealed the reason behind the family's decision, saying: "The catalyst is probably me. I've had a bad year, health-wise, and was diagnosed with kidney cancer." She added: "It just made me think I need to stop putting things off that I can do, you know? Life is short. You've got to make the most of it."
Pete, who works for the postal service, was arranging a transfer and believed the move would improve their quality of life. "To have a permanent holiday, that's what we want," he said.
Search across Cornwall
The family had a budget of £1.2 million and were looking for a detached property with separate living quarters, including a main house with three to four bedrooms and a two-bedroom annexe. They also wanted up to two acres of dog-friendly grounds with potential for holiday letting.
The search began in the coastal village of Feock, then moved to Higher Ninnis near St Day, and concluded at a mystery property in the mid-Cornwall village of Colan. The two-storey barn conversion left Deirdre fighting tears, as she said: "I'm in love," before adding: "I feel quite emotional about it really. I just think it's lovely. I love the trees all around. Everything about it really is what I'd imagined I would perhaps one day have."
Family plans second viewings
By the end of the episode, both Catherine and Deirdre confirmed they wanted to revisit the mystery house with their husbands. Alistair joked: "Well, I wish you all the best, and as soon as you move, I'll be coming round for the scones!"
Reflecting on the challenging search, Alistair told the camera: "Cornwall, I mean, it's the king of counties. Other counties are available, of course, but this is my favourite. And I so hope that Catherine and Deirdre make it all happen, because it's quite difficult getting all those ducks arranged when you have multi-generations moving into one house."
It was later revealed that the family had arranged second viewings of both the mystery house and the extended bungalow by the coast, along with appointments to see other properties they had found online. Alistair concluded: "We hope it goes well and wish them all the best."
Escape to the Country is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
