We got yesterday from two-and-a-bit weeks in France at the in-laws place.
Having been to ‘the barn’ as it is known several times before everything went pretty much as expected – lots of days swimming/canoeing in the river, picnics, eating out and playing cards in the evening with Quen and Clare.
The girls managed a 5 1/2 km mile run each morning as well as a determined abstinence from the delicious french bread, while me and Q managed championship standard tennis each evening (maybe a little exageration with the latter, but we were very equal so had a good match).
We found a good rope swing over the river at Castelnaud which the kids really enjoyed.

My last swing of the holiday

I’m out of the habit of keeping my blog up to date but will see if I can’t get back into it – anyway we’re now in the UK, having arrived in July 10th.

It’s been much much easier to settle in than we ever expected, partly due to good fortune/good planning on Jo’s behalf, having moved into a superb location. Despite being in a street which is out of the catchment area of the kids’ school Gabe has got 2-3 kids in his class as neighbours (all of whom are really nice) and there are siblings to keep Olivia happy as well. Essentially it’s a constant street party for the kids, we never see them unless they (and all their mates) deign to pay us a visit.

Esmé equally is happy to have all the kids around and the attention she receives, and we’ve got a nice garden where she’s got a slide and a trampoline to keep her amused.

It’s all very ‘English’, with a pub (and beer garden) at the end of the road, we do walks, are planning on harvesting the blackberries soon for a crumble, and get together with the neighbours for a BBQ or a day out. I’m enjoying the beer, a good pint of bitter at last!

Work-wise there have been big changes at Selfcateringhols (watch this space) which should be good. I’ve got work lined up with Globe2 that will keep me busy and pay the bills in the short term so that’s all good.

I’ll be moving my blog to a new server soon, so I’ll update it and I guess may have to choose a different theme from the ‘counting my lucky stars in Vilanova i la Geltru’.

well, cold might be a slight exaggeration, but long trousers and a long sleeved top would be appreciated. It gets really cold at night if you’re in shorts and sandals. Jo (who is looking after our cat in Vilanova) meanwhile says it is REALLY hot back home – to be honest I prefer the weather here at this time of year, I just wish we could remember that it is cooler and be more prepared!

Aside from that we’re having a really nice time. We’re managing to get the kids out enough to tire them out, eating nice food, drinking nice wine and generally enjoying ourselves. I’ve updated the kids blogs with some piccies.

We made the journey up to the Barn with a lot less stress than expected and managed to spend a day with Andrea, Mal, Izzie and Frankie before they headed off for camping near Bordeaux. The kids all get on really well together when they get chance.

You forget how jaw-droppingly beautiful it is here. We’d also forgotten how much cooler it is so were completely unprepared clothes-wise after the stifling heat of Vilanova. It’s a welcome change. Quen, Clare and the kids come later today.

James and Rachel have finally done it – they’re on their way to the new abode in southern France. They’ve been talking about it for years, so I hope it works out well for them. I had to laugh at the timing though, so very J&R. On Sunday morning James posted an update to his online status : Hotel and ferry booked. Now better get packing. So.. when was the ferry booked for, and how long had he got to pack for the next 6 months? The ferry and hotel were booked for that very same day – some things never change!

She started to wobble her head back at us a few days ago when we shook our head and said ‘No’ she shouldn’t do something. She’s got her head wobble down to a fine art now and when we say ‘No Esmé, don’t eat the cat biscuits’ she looks up to scrutinise our faces, wobbles her head as in agreement that it’s not allowed and then turns round to make a beeline for Misha’s biscuits.

So, not sure as yet whether she understands perfectly (I think she maybe does as she’ll virtually elbow you out of the way as you try and stop her) or if she’s still too young.

As it stands it’s hard to keep a stern look on your face when she’s checking to see how serious you – I think it’s fair to say she’s got me round her little finger!

Thanks to James and Rach for the piccies

…so we celebrated with chocolate cake and cream! Of course her doctor’s appointment is for tomorrow.

Jo’s completely off her food – not only does she suffer if she deviates from plain boiled rice but she’s zero interest in food generally. It’s put me completely out of kilt somehow. It’s made me realise how much our world revolves around the planning/preparation and eating of food; I don’t get much backup from the kids who would really just rather eat pasta or rice with tomato sauce than anything else. Although it’s Jo who’s suffering I feel like it’s affecting me (me, me, me!!) almost as much – Jo always likes to joke how I jib in on other people’s illnesses!

It was our 9th wedding anniversary last night – we’ve actually been together now for 16 years!!

Jo’s not been on top form these last few weeks – let’s just say that she can only eat boiled rice or suffer the consequences – so wasn’t much point in going out for a nice meal. She was also very tired, not sure if it’s this bug she’s got or a consequence of looking after the 3 kids all day, (or a combination of the two) so was asleep by about 10pm. I on the other hand was wide awake at midnight and had to force myself to go to bed in the knowledge that Esmé would be slapping my face with her pudgy paws at about 6:30am – we’ll go out an celebrate properly when she’s better..