Friday 20 September 2013

Family and friends


It’s ages since I posted anything, and that is because life has been a little hectic.
I have been stepping up my recovery and exercise regime........and completed a 10km walk last week.
I meant to blog about that, as it involved some amazing landscapes and several ancient shepherds buildings, known as “Capitelles”. I think it may feature in a blog at some stage.....the stonework patterns on these ancient ( and restored) shelters is incredible.
My friend Jan came to stay for a week. We have been friends since we started school together in 1959....we then went to the same secondary school, did some of the same A levels, moved to Manchester and Salford for college when we left school, lived in the same flat with our respective boyfriends for a couple of years, then kept in close touch over the years......so we have a lot of shared history ! We spent a lot of time nattering. It was brilliant.
 
Mark, Jan and I visited some Cathar castles in Lastours, we spent some time in Carcassonne, Limoux, Mirepoix and La Grasse, doing touristy things. We went to a jazz club concert, spent some time lazing by the pool, ate some good food and drank some excellent wine and enjoyed the mellow autumn warmth.

Then, we got the call......3 weeks earlier than expected....Flynn, grandchild number 5 had been born. We were sure he would be late, just like his brothers, but he surprised us. So, we quickly booked a flight back to England for a viewing....and some cuddles.
Mark with Flynn Richard Marvel Pattison ( unusual 3rd names have become a tradition with Matt and Sarah Jane.....Dexter's 3rd name is Magneto and Clark's is Xavier)
Unfortunately, in and amongst all this, I managed to get shingles ( la zona, in French......the visit to the French Dr will certainly warrant a blog in its own right at some point, it was hilarious, and brilliant at the same time). It hasn’t been too bad, and hopefully I’ll be fully recovered soon. I think that compared with cancer, shingles is a doddle ! ( Sorry to anyone who has suffered horribly with it.....I think I have been lucky and caught it in time )

We came back to England for 4 days, until tomorrow, when we have an early flight booked back to Carcassonne. We’ll catch up with Jess tonight in Liverpool and hear all about her first 2 weeks of teacher training. Then next week, we head south from Caunes, to Benicassim  to see Bibi, and Alacala  to see Annie. ( Those of you who know Annie through her blogs and have followed my story during the last year, will know how much I am looking forward to seeing her again).
So.....not much in the way of posts from me recently, but plenty of adventures which will probably make it into a blog or two or more in the future. Somehow I suspect there will be a joint effort planned from southern Spain next week sometime.
Clark and Dexter with their new little brother
 
The Pattison Packer fans.
 
 

26 comments:

  1. Goodness you have been busy, and shingles amongst it too...glad to hear it wasn't too bad.

    Congratulations on the birth of baby Flynn. Lovely pics of the three boys together.

    Have a great time with Annie xx

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    1. Thanks Ayak, I am sure you are looking forward to your trip to see the grandchildren.....and not just to get a good long shower. I know I'll have a great time with Annie....can't wait. Jx

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  2. Congratulations! A new baby is always a joyful occasion. Then the hard work begins ;o).

    Sorry to read about the shingles - I suppose after all you've been through it was fairly minor in comparison.

    I'm looking forward to reading about your exploits in Spain. Enjoy every minute. x

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    1. Flynn is a cutie....but his parents and brothers are all very laid back about it all. Maybe as he wasn't even due until tomorrow, he has been giving them all an easy time so far.
      As you can imagine, I am really looking forward to seeing Annie. I'm sure we'll be letting people know what we get up to. Jx

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  3. Oh, bummer....shingles! You can get the shot in 6 months so you don't get them again...Love to all the Falco/Badenes clan!

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    1. I think I've been lucky with the shingles...quickly identified, and a really good French Dr. A week on, and I am not suffering much at all. I'm hoping to be firing on all cylinders now for my trip to Spain. The weather forecast is great....and we're raring to go. As previously stated, Bibi and I will plot to get you over here soon ! Jxxx

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  4. Flynn was the best of reasons to change schedules....and full sympathy on getting shingles, though it sounds as though you caught it in time, luckily.

    Looking forward to the catch up posts!

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    1. Flynn was mostly asleep when we saw him, but perfect for Mark to cuddle. Despite being told the shingles was not transferable, I still felt hugs with a new born could wait. His early appearance has delighted all of us, especially his brothers. Jx

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  5. Certainly having a busy time at the moment, Janice. Never mind - Andalucia is known for its slow pace and relaxing atmosphere! I will try and keep both my feet on the ground and to keep the squeals of excitement to a minimum when you arrive...WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!! Oops, that one just escaped.
    Axxx

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    1. We'll have to work out how blogging has made us so close, when working in the same damn building for nearly 20 years didn't ! Life is odd, which is a good thing I think.....cant wait to see you ! Jxxx

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  6. Many congratulations on Grandchild No 5, Janice. What with that and Jan's visit and all your gadding to and fro, both in France and the UK, I;'m not surprised you haven't had time to post. I look forward to lots of fascinating catch-up posts to brighten the dullness of winter. :-)

    Safe journey and give my love to Annie. :-)

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    1. I cant believe how much we managed to fit into our 4 days back in England....or how many times we managed to go to see Flynn and his gorgeous brothers. I'm back in Caunes now, and getting ready for the Spanish adventure. I hope all goes smoothly with your op, on its rescheduled date. Jx

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    2. Thanks, Janice. Sorry to have omitted to commiserate with you about your shingles. I'm really glad they are improving so fast as DH had them many years ago and they were extremely painful.

      Incidentally I came across a news item recently which suggested that normal pregnancy could vary in length by up to 5 weeks, so perhaps Flynn wasn't too early after all. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-23594668

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  7. Def. a case of too busy to blog. Congratulations on your new grandchild and commiserations on the shingles (Drink lots of fresh beetroot juice - our herbalist recommended this to my husband when he got it around his eyes and the pain was gone in a week) Enjoy your time with Annie, I hope she's made a fresh batch of chocolates.

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    1. The French Dr. had some interesting ideas about how to cure/treat my shingles......but beetroot juice didn't feature. I'm afraid beetroot is the one and only food I have ever come across that I have hated with a passion. I don't think I could overcome my hatred for it, no matter how sore my back was. luckily, I seem to have made a speedy recovery, so I wont have to try it. Thanks for the tip though... I think I'll tell my French Dr. as he seems to collect various approaches to things, and I think he'll like this one. From what I can see of the weather forecast, it may still be too warm for chocolate making I'm afraid though. Jx

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  8. Sounds like you're on the proverbial roller-coaster - please make sure it takes you on more adventures!
    I wonder why some Mums(me included)produce boy after boy after boy? No matter - they're lovely!

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    1. The boy thing is interesting isn't it. Sarah Jane....the 3 boys' mum, seems to be a perfect mother of boys....it suits her completely, and she is brilliant at it.

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  9. Yes, boys for me too, but I now have 4 gorgeous granddaughters which has been a treat.
    Sorry that you have had shingles, but sounds as if you got it mildly - thank goodness. Little Flynn looks gorgeous, I had all of mine 3 weeks early too.
    Take care and enjoy your forthcoming trip.

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    1. I always knew I wanted a daughter, and as I only have 1 of my own (as well as part shares in Mark's 2 gorgeous kids, and their fabulous offspring), I was pleased she was a girl......but experiencing Mark's son growing up, and now the 4/5 grandchildren being boys, I just love them. I realise now that being a mother of boys would be pretty special too.

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  10. Sorry to hear that you've had a bout of shingles, Janice. You've certainly been busy though, and it doesn't sound as if you will slow down any time soon! :-) Lovely news about the arrival of your 5th grandchild and those photos of your grandchildren are gorgeous.

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    1. Thanks Maria....I do think I have been lucky with the shingles, it has clearly been a mild attack, and I caught it early. I am feeling much better, although a little tired. Mark and I do wonder how on earth we suddenly seem to have so many grandchildren !

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  11. Congratulations on another beautiful grandchild, Janice. Baby boys are adorable - we now have three grandsons! So sorry you had the shingles, which is generally pretty awful (not that I've had it, but both my parents have). I am glad you seem to have caught it early - and maybe your healthy lifestyle has helped you too. xx

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    1. I do think I have been very lucky with the shingles....and the French Dr was brilliant. The boys are beautiful, and the new one, is just gorgeous. Jx

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  12. I so enjoy reading your blog - they are so packed with adventure.I love how you always have the next adventure lined up.I think i will be able to hear the squeals here in Huddersfield when you meet up with Annie.

    Wonderful photos of your grandchildren. x Maria.

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  13. Janice, I've been caught up life here here and haven't had time to visit my favorite places in a while, Just starting to catch up, and, I truly understand the lulls that sometimes come between postings. This post was worth the wait. Congratulations! Flynn. Adorable addition to your clan, and those Packer fans. How did that happen? Our daughter Katy, who comes from Bears territory, lives in MN, which is Vikings territory. So, who do they root for. The Packers! SIL Tom is from WI.

    Sorry to hear about the Shingles. Nasty, but, seems that you got treatment at the right time. Oh, dear Janice, the bumps you've had - and oh, the joys as well.

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  14. Wow, life sounds hectic - but great, (shingles aside!) Congratulations on the safe arrival of your fifth grandchild, the little Marvel!

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