Somehow, our
6 months in Caunes is nearly over. Apart from a quick trip back to Yorkshire
for hospital visits and Le Tour, we have been here since the middle of May.
It has been
different this year. Last year was strange for me as I had only finished all my
cancer treatment a couple of weeks before arriving in France. So, last summer
was mostly about resting and building up strength again.
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| Last summer was good.....I was certainly smiling, as my hair started to grow back ! |
This summer
has been “ normal”……. Walking, swimming, gardening, entertaining, visiting
friends, visiting new places,visiting old places, meals out, meals in…… and lots of laughs.
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| Clark, providing lots of the laughs this year |
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| Jane, consulting one of the panels telling us where we should be walking....just before we got lost....again. |
This is the
pattern I hope will be repeated in the coming few years.
6 months in
the UK, encompassing winter and early spring in Yorkshire, with Christmas and
grandchildren, seeing old friends, lots of family time, spending time with Jess
as she progresses through the early stages of her teaching career, and working
with Treena and the tremendous bunch of volunteers at the Hebden Bridge
Overgate Hospice shop.
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| Hebden Bridge, welcoming Le Tour de France |
Then back
here, to France for late spring, summer and autumn, to our beautiful garden, to
our new friends, who are quickly feeling like old friends , to being a base for
our friends and family to enjoy if they want to visit us, and to wallowing in
the beautiful warmth of the Minervois sunshine.
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| with new friends who feel like old friends |
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| with visiting grandchildren |
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| Always enjoying spending time with Jess....in Caunes, in Liverpool, In Hebden Bridge.... anywhere. |
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| Mark, in full flow, at the cafe des langes he has been instrumental in setting up, in Caunes, with French friends Jean Claude et Henri |
I don’t need
reminding that life is good……I feel very lucky. It has been a lovely, lovely year
(This wont
be my last Caunes post this year, as we have a few weeks to go yet, and a
couple more adventures planned before we head north.)
A lovely, heart-warming post, Janice. I can't help thinking that exactly a year ago, you and Mark made the great trek south to visit us here in Andalucia! It seems at the same time, just a moment ago, and ages ago! Proves that time flies but also that we have both packed a lot into the year that has just passed. Yes, you're right - life is good and I know we both appreciate that. Axxx
ReplyDeleteThat was quick Annie.... within 5 minutes of posting ! I was thinking too, that it was just a year ago that we came down to see you, calling in on Bibi on the way. The last year has flown by, and it is so good to feel so much stronger ! I recall feeling not 100% as my shingles recurred as we headed south ! Appreciating our lives is important I think, and recognising how lucky we are to be part of lovely families needs to be celebrated regularly ! Let me know if and when you are planning a trip back to the UK, and we'll do some joint celebrating !!!! xxxxx
DeleteIt's great to see you looking so well Janice and are enjoying yourself on both sides of The Channel.
ReplyDeleteWhat a difference a year makes! It wonderful to see you looking so fantastic and to hear about your very good year.Your positive attitude throughout the challenges you faced last year are really inspirational.
ReplyDeleteHi Janice,
ReplyDeleteA great post, with your sheer enjoyment and contentment with your life shining through every word. This is what you've worked so hard to be able to achieve and what you fought so hard to maintain. Long may it continue!
Like you we are fortunate to have happened upon a great bunch of people who have so quickly become friends.
I hope that Jess is enjoying the challenges of her new teaching post. Hard work, but one of the very best professions. I'll keep my fingers crossed that teacher workloads decrease (in line with Tory conference announcements) but experience tells me not to hold my breath!! ;o) xx
Making really good friends does help doesn't it !
DeleteJess is throwing herself into everything, and although it is hard, lots of challenges, she is enjoying it all. Her school seems to be very good on the professional development front, and she is impressed with some of the support she is getting. her HT has already told her that she keeps forgetting she is an NQT, as she seems so integrated already ! ( I think thats a good sign). I too have everything crossed about workload initiatives, but then we have heard it all before havent we .xx
Can't wait to have you back for the winter months!! / Can't wait to be back with you for some of the Summer months!
ReplyDeleteWe'll be back soon...cant wait to see your classroom ! xxx
DeleteYou are such a brave person and example to us all! I hope West Yorkshire has a beautiful Autumn and Winter for you to enjoy - it's started early with golden leaves and lots of berries, but not too chilly - yet!
ReplyDeleteIf the last couple of years has taught me anything Nilly, it is to enjoy every minute, look forward to what is to come and enjoy thinking about the good things in the past. I am really looking forward to catching some Yorkshire autumn....and then a glorious Yorkshire winter...wonderful.
DeleteHi Janice...am going to 'export' some of your strength for my 42 year old friend Celia who began her journey with chemo and radiation last week. She has stage 2+ breast cancer and they want to shrink the tumor before they do a double mastectomy early next year. She is a strong, positive, beautiful woman. My 8 year success is hopeful for her! Enjoy your last days in sunny France. One of these years we hope to see you there. Bolette and Carl (our first AFS'er; 34 years ago) are here for the week, encouraging us to make another trip to Spain in the future. Their home is in Almunecar in the South. Last September they walked the Camino...all the way from France to San Sebastian!!
ReplyDeleteOh Jane, I hope Celia copes, and has the strength to get through the next months. We both know she has a fight ahead of her. My boss, from the ward I used to work on, told me to " get my running shoes on" when I was diagnosed....she knew how determined I would have to be...that is my only advice to her.... and if stage 4 can be conquered....well..... I wish he luck and strength. It is coming up to 2 years for me !
DeleteIt was great to see Bolette and Carl being with you.... 34 yeasr...amazing. I can only agree with their wish to get you over here again. Bolette, Bibi ....and me......all loving the idea of a Robinson visit. Jxxx
I have followed your blogs all this year and always feel uplifted after reading them.
ReplyDeleteAlways I go back for a second look at all your lovely photos.
Really hope we will see you at the Hospice Shop soon.
It would be good to see you there. I'm looking forward to being back.
DeleteI am delighted to see you looking so well and that you are squeezing every drop of enjoyment out of life. It's been a very happy year for you hasn't it? One you deserve. Lots of Love xxx
ReplyDeleteThanks Ayak..... we only get one shot at this life business...so I reckon its pretty important to enjoy it if you can ! xxx
DeleteYour time in Caunes is always exciting to see, Janice. You look so comfortable there and have consciously blended into the culture. I truly admire (and envy) that. Enjoy your last weeks and adventures, then back to UK - where I know you will be sharing about your life there as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks Penny. It is your recent posts that have me thinking about the patterns of the year, as the seasons change, we wend our way south, or north..... its all good.
DeleteWhat a lovely record of a wonderful year, Janice. Your sheer enjoyment and appreciation of your two-centre life shines through every word and image. It's good to be reminded that it's well over a year since you finished your treatment and that you now look and feel so well. Enjoy your last few weeks and go on soaking up that sunshine. :-) xx
ReplyDeleteI remember struggling over the idea of having 2 bases, and your words were very helpful, about being at home, whichever home you happened to be in. I think I've got that sorted now. I love being where I am, and love being where I'm going to be next. I hope your new home will soon feel absolutely the right place to be.
ReplyDelete