And they’re gone…. After 4.5 months of wondering what their new life was going to look like and with all their worldy belongings still in Vietnam they start their next chapter in Canberra this week. Lauren got a government contract with ACT health and within a week they found an apartment, bought a car and some work appropriate clothes and are now tucked up in their new home ready for the next adventure. Berry will be a stay at home Dad and will hopefully get some casual teaching once Myla gets a daycare spot. She has an interview on Wednesday so I hope she’s on her best behaviour!!! The very best part of it all is that they will only be a 2.5 hour drive away which is much easier than visiting them in either Vietnam or Tassie and we will also all still be able to meet up in The Meadow. So we say a fond farewell to our little Myla Moo who we will miss A LOT. I will also miss having my lovely daughter around who always makes life sunnier for everyone and the MOTH will miss his weekly golfing buddy too…

Luckily we had already organised a weekend with the whole family the week before they left as we had imagined they would be off to Tassie when the borders were predicted to open on July 24. So with a chaotic crew of 7 adults, 2 toddlers and a labrador we celebrated this next stage and the fact that our entire family has been able to be together for much of this Covid phase, so many other families haven’t been as lucky and I am very grateful to have had all my family safe and well and together. The lack of overseas holidays and restaurant meals means nothing in comparison. Family is everything.

We enjoyed a final pizza night together, the boys played golf, we had a rather fiery game of monopoly and some lovely grub and the babies were very cute alternately hugging and trying to feed each other and occasionally pushing or snatching a toy from each other, they were really getting used to it all by the time Coops went home so I hope they remember each other and start where they left off next time they meet! Also after talking about it for months we finally got around to having a nutella, banana and hazelnut dessert pizza – thanks Loz and Berry for making it for us – delish!!

In the middle of what has been a very mild winter Mother Nature had a bit of a laugh and an East Coast Low swept through the South Coast leaving many areas flooded. What else can 2020 throw at us I wonder? We got off fairly lightly here with a few large puddles in the usual low lying places, taking a few days to dissipate and still remaining squelchy underfoot a week later! The upside is the weeds are coming out easily and we don’t have to worry about watering for a while. Result.

Luckily we had good weather when my Swiss nephew and his fiance popped in for an overnight visit. He is an avid lover of slacklining and made the most of our trees to whip up a line and encourage our expats to have a go. I was amazed to see they could do it albeit for only half a dozen steps at a time. It takes a lot of core strength and balance to master it and they all had a lot of fun taking turns to the appreciative audience of the dairy cows in the back paddock!!

It was the first time they have met Myla and it was cuddles all around for our littlest family member. Thanks for coming down guys, it was lovely to see you both again.

Our little Cooper started day care a few weeks ago and seems to love it, especially the gorgeous rabbits they have there and all the different toys and activities. He is such a curious little fella I am sure he is relishing the new environment and Mum gets to do some work in peace! Here he is looking uber cute and ready for action!!

One Friday a few weeks ago my ever inventive daughter told me to be available for an activity in the garden from 3.30 until 5pm. I dutifully presented myself at the appointed hour and with eyes shut was led outside to the strains of French jazz music. When I opened my eyes this is what I saw….

Some comfy chairs, a bottle of red, our watercolours and painting smocks were all ready and waiting for us to attempt a pre sunset capture of the garden and surrounding escarpment. She really is the most thoughtful and fun person to have around and we had a grand old time getting lost in the moment until it was too dark and cold to enjoy any longer. I am determined to get the paints out weekly now I am no longer on Grandma duty…

So here I am once again, home alone with my trusty Choccy Drop and with all the time in the world to do “stuff” I am relieved to have the time to get on top of my neglected veggie patch, actually read the paper with a cup of tea in one sitting and have my laundry reduced to a few loads a week instead of a day but I really miss the calls of Papa and Ra-ra (somehow this is who I have become????) and her little hand in mine as she shows me something of utmost importance, the way her face lights up as she hears the birds in the morning or spies my handbag with its VERY enticing contents on the bed. Seeing the nibbled potatoes in the veg basket, the half eaten chalk and crayons in the cubby house and the little piles of pebbles that she loved to leave around the driveway brings tears to my eyes but life goes on and we will always remember this very special time we spent together during the weirdest of times in the world. As things are going backwards here at the moment it is a time to reflect and accept the new restrictions being placed on us as the alternatives are not good and I for one want to be here to enjoy a few more special times with my family and friends. Mask up and stay home if possible people and let’s crush this bloody virus on the head. ‘Bunnings Karen’ and her ilk can go and stick their heads where the sun don’t shine….