And so to France....

After about 2 weeks in Hong Kong it was time for me to visit the rest of my widespread family in France. I flew into Paris this time (and took an upgrade to Business Class using frequent flyer points –quel luxe!~- Then I caught the TGV up to Clare’s home in Valenciennes where I spent a few days before she and I drove with my 2 beautiful grandchildren, Abigail and Elliot, down to our house in the South West in the village of Hure (population 476 I think). It was a long trip especially for Clare who did most of the driving. However we arrived at about 2 pm, fell into bed and awoke the next morning to an empty house so we immediately trekked off to the local Saturday market in La Reole to stock up on supplies. It’s a good typical French market with a lot of regional produce and plants and flowers. The atmosphere is always good – and I enjoyed it more in the cooler conditions of Spring.

Jack arrived soon after us (flying direct from HK and taking a TGV to Bordeaux and then La Reole). This time we decided that we would decide once and for all if we would go ahead and plan for a pool in the garden. The house is more comfortable than it was when we bought it but the garden has deteriorated due to our protracted absences. As this necessitated taking out a number of trees I was a bit anxious (and still am). However, we have committed to a pool for the coming summer! I hope that we will enjoy it. The summers in the South West do get very hot these days.

Jack, as usual, spent most of this time working on repairs and burning a lot a old wood that was in the garden as well as chatting with pool people. For Clare and me (and Ilan when he arrived) time flew by, as we were kept busy by two very energetic little people who loved the outdoor life in the big garden. Elliot (now aged 14 months has changed so much in the time I have been here. His very adventurous spirit will keep us busy in the coming years. Abby at three, unsure of whether she is a big girl or a baby, is an excellent communicator in both English and French (and has to translate easily from one language to another when her poor Nana seems a bit dense!)

We were happy to see our neighbours Ray and Phyllis who live in Plymouth but who always spend summer with in Hure, but this time we had the chance to catch up in Spring as well.

After a few days of cooling down in Hong Kong, I began my retirement years with a return to my home town of Newcastle in Australia. At first I was a little trepidatious about filling my time in a “worthwhile” way but on venturing under our house where were stacked the treasures acquired over a number of years, I found myself busy unearthing a lot of rubbish and some gems as well. Some furniture that has been lingering under the house for years has been sent to the restorer and some has been bid farewell.

A lot of my time was of course spent with my oldest and dearest friends. Kathy came up from Canberra for the weekend and of course I spent a lot of time with Tony, now busy with her new granddaughter, with my cousin Carol and my friends Jill and Owen. Most important of course was the chance to catch up again with my own family, Kate and Christopher. Within three weeks I had settled in so that by the time Jack came out for a flying visit (in time for Christopher’s birthday), I was ready to stay.

However Hong Kong was calling so in early March, I flew out again for a brief chance to touch base with Hong Kong friends. I went back to my old workplace to see everyone and was able to celebrate Don’s birthday with Jack and Lesley and of course him at (of course) Lucy’s restaurant. My last weekend was occupied by my IELTS testing (my only employment now) and the historic Hong Kong Sevens. This three day rugby tournament is a highlight of the expat HK community life and although I am not a rabid rugby fan (too many years of enforced involvement in my youth), I do enjoy the chance to see old friends and the general air of excitement.

I have been moving from place to place (with my base in Hong Kong) for a while now – 10 years in fact- but it never amazes more how hard I find it to say goodbye and yet how quickly I adjust to a new place.