Today is my birthday and this time last year we celebrated my last in Oz (after 37 years!) A memorable evening with special friends.
Just over a week later we headed off to our new life, never having heard of the word Covid. That final week was a roller coaster of emotions as we said Au Revoir to so many good and very special friends and a country that had given us every opportunity that we had dreamt of, plus some.
So twelve months on it’s hard not to reflect. Covid has definitely effected our plans, with a 4 month lockdown in the UK soon after arrival then restricted travel once we made it to France. But fingers crossed we count ourselves so very lucky to have got this far through a worldwide pandemic and to now be living in a country that we have always loved in a dream home .
Here’s hoping that gradually life gets back to some form of “normality “ and the very reasons for moving across the world become possible again – to spend time with family and childhood friends and with any luck to climb into “Parsley “ the Motorhome and travel around Europe. 🤞
Meanwhile here are some local photos!
We took a drive last week to our neighbouring Departement on a clear day and as we headed a little further inland couldn’t believe the the Winter Wonderland we travelled through. Unfortunately not a good photo but the bare tree branches were laden with ice glittering in the sunshine, giving the whole landscape a magical touch. As the day warmed the ice began to melt, falling like broken glass scattered across the road.
Just a few days later we were out gardening in shirtsleeves! I thought Victoria had changeable weather 😊
Chris has been busy re discovering a secret corner of the garden. Beneath the ivy and timber and tin he discovered a little wooden chook shed and compartments for rabbits and chickens. Further signs of the working farm of the past.
We also found another entrance into the big cow barn!
Although our little patch is no longer a farm there are plenty of working farmers still living in the area. These are some of the “treasures “ stored by our neighbours.
So, now it’s time to head off to our local Super U to indulge in something special for supper tonight, planned and prepared by my wonderful man💕
Oh no, your birthday has gone by, I am slack and tardy. Happy Happy birthday dear friend. What a wonderful weekend we had 12 months ago. Onward and upward with wishes for a super 12 months ahead full of adventures, love and laughter. xxx
Finally found your blog as I continue excavating the house of endless bundles of correspondence where I came across your Xmas card with email and blog on it.
Great to chat yesterday and get an up to date report on La Belle France. Love your undiscovered outhouses where you will have to get at least a couple of hens to occupy them. The equine will have to wait a while…. bet you’ll be tempted….!!! A couple of lovely ID’s to hack around the countryside…!!!!
Hope the birthday supper went well.
Awaiting patiently for a Covid injection and then I’ll take to the skies or maybe the ferry.
Look after yourselves and stay safe
Ps. Hello to all the group who travelled to France with us a few years ago
Great to be close enough for a regular chat and an update on your hectic life!💕
Oh Sue how lovely to see that photo and bring back that happy weekend. Rather sad that my dear dogs are no longer with us! How I miss them and also very much miss you and Chris. Lovely to read the news from Paula and how great were those memories of being in France with you all. Would be so good to be able to do it again but not sure when we are going to be able to travel overseas once more – they are talking about at least a couple of years here. Off to the Inglis Sales on Sunday but not to buy – we now have shares in 6 racehorses somehow and then the mare and foal. Foal proving very costly as has had second op now for adhesions. Hopefully will be ok this time!!! Loving all your photos and news so keep it up. Love to you both from Liz and Jim
That was a great weekend Liz and I hope the photo with the doggies wasn’t too upsetting.
Now do keep your hands in your pockets at Inglis won’t you😜
Won’t 2 years time coincide with the Olympics in Paris????? No, just realised that’s in 3 years time! How is Jim coping with not being able to travel?
Hope your foal comes good, love from us.
Hi Paula, Lovely to hear from you via Sue’s blog. Look forward to more snippets. Hoping for a repeat trip one day, such fun. Say hello to Heidi for us. Bill and Robyn xx