Recently we were 11; now we are 2. The family are now all back at their various homes (or very nearly).
The Cherub (above), his big brother Boo Boo, and their dad Wills are back in Thailand after a week doing dangerous things in the Swiss Alps, and safer things in Zurich.
Tenpin, and son Finn, are back in Brisbane after a week or so in Rome, Naples, and on The Amalfi Coast. Her No1 son, GHG, was at home in Oz, working.
Kimbo and Suzie have been back in Brighton for a while (he's had more promotion). Not quite sure where Suave Harve is (possibly back in Oxford), and I think Ollie is in London, before starting Uni at Nottingham in September.
That just leaves US. We're still in France, relaxing, and suddenly feeling very 'alone'.
I didn't know Tenpin was headed to Rome. I have just been chatting to a former classmate who lives in Rome and whose family still runs Babington's English Tea Rooms there.
ReplyDeleteShe and Finn hired scooters, and visited all the sites at great speed. Better than taking a bus or taxi.
DeleteBut how marvellous to have had your family around you this summer... Oops, sorry! I just remembered that I am not meant to say nice things on this blog. I will try harder to be as curmudgeonly as you are in future!
ReplyDeleteYou're allowed to be 'nice', but I have to sit down first. N.B. I am never curmudgeonly.
DeleteA well travelled family it seems.
ReplyDeleteThey are all undaunted; unlike me, who is a stay-at-home-boy. They were all brought-up in France, so travel comes naturally to them.
DeleteI can see a resemblance to you in the Cherub.
ReplyDeleteAre you trying to say that I look Cherubic??? No chance!
DeleteYou've got a family of globetrotters. You must be so proud of them all.
ReplyDeleteThe cherub is growing still blonde and angelic
He learned to ride a bike whilst he was with us, then was tearing down the mountain on a 3 wheeled bike a few days later. Fearless!
DeleteI love having a house full of family - all the noise, laughter, cooking, conversations, hugs, my big "kids" and the little grandchildren - and when they depart the silence hits like a heavy wave, leaving such a lonely feeling and many treasured moments.
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly how we feel Diaday. However, we do have friends from Barbados who come to use our pool with all the attending children, grandchildren, and noise. So we're not totally alone.
DeleteEnjoy the quiet time in paradise.
ReplyDeleteIt's very hot here; 38 C today. We're mostly indoors reading or doing crosswords.
DeleteYour grandson is beautiful. It's bittersweet. We rejoice that they are seizing life, but it feels like being left behind also. I remember how ruthlessly I said good bye to my parents and headed out into ADVENTURE! Yesterday our oldest grandson left for his first day at university. I know that empty feeling. We say, Fly, fly, little one! But, please! Not so soon!
ReplyDeleteThat is how we feel exactly. Both my sister and I 'deserted' our parents to live abroad, I suppose they must have felt how we feel now. I did return to look after them in their final years, so I didn't totally desert them.
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