Saying Goodbye Again

So here we are, on our last morning in the UK. It's been lovely, but I'm relieved to find that I'm feeling ready to go back home....Andrew left a week ago, going to meetings in Paris and Hong Kong on the way back, and we follow at 10pm tonight accompanied by Bethany, our niece.

I was worried about coming back on 2 counts - I was afraid that I would feel like an outsider in a place where we belonged for so long, and I was also afraid that I would not want to return to our home in Sydney. In the event, neither of these things have happened. We slipped straight back into life here as if we had never left, and I feel blessed to have two places on opposite sides of the world which I can call home. At the same time, I feel like it's time to go - to get back into the routine of life, and to sleep in my own bed.

The children, in particular, have had a wonderful time. It has been a month of sleepovers, special occasions and lovely memories. For Anna, this has unsettled her a little - we've had some tears and some heartrending requests to stay back in Milford on Sea forever. I'm pretty certain that once we get back, she will be fine, but my heart breaks for her. It's a difficult thing we have done. George, on the other hand, has had a great time, but is more stoic. He says he is starting to miss his Australian friends, and wants to get back to normal.

I don't know when we will be back all together. It's an expensive trip and not one we will be repeating on a regular basis. Andrew's parents will be with us for Christmas, and my parents will be back out for a visit in February. I may come back for a couple of weeks next year, and may bring one of the children, but nothing is concrete as yet. We didn't get to see everyone we planned to while we were here, so if we missed you, please accept my apologies. You will see from the photos when I start putting them up that we have been absolutely manic. Having spent time with my parents and siblings, and Andrew's parents and sister, I've tried to make the priority facilitating the children's wishes to spend time with their friends. I think they needed that.

When we get home, I'll start putting pictures on, but until then, au revoir!