I AM RETURNING TO ENGLAND FOR AROUND A YEAR...
So please, all pack your metaphorical suitcases for some time in England. I will put up another post on this blog giving you all the details of the new "English Blog" and then if you'd like, please do come over and join me there. I am leaving next Wednesday evening on the late Cathy Pacific flight out of Melbourne. First stop - Hong Kong - a quick turn around there for a couple of hours and then I'll board the British Airways plane to London. After that I will make my way (via a night at my parents' home) down to deepest, darkest Wiltshire (towards the West of England) - to our dear little cottage. Ah, dear little cottage; I have missed you so much.
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| Fireplace at the cottage |
The decision to go back to England has been both easy and difficult at the same time.
The easy part was that I really wanted to be in the same country as my daughter to support her and be there for her as she finishes her final year at Durham University. I have felt over the last couple of years that I was not being the kind of mother I wanted to be. Also I so wanted to be nearer to my family and especially my parents again. It will also be wonderful to catch up and see my friends in England.
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| Part of the cottage garden |
The difficult part of course, is leaving Mr SE here.
We have done this before, this long distance marriage business and we are pretty good at it but it is still hard. Hopefully, he will have a trip to Europe on the cards in September and he has already booked a week at the beginning of November to come to UK. And then we (my daughter and I) will visit back here for a month, coming to Melbourne over Christmas and New Year. At the moment I am not thinking further than that. It has been difficult to resign from a job I love (and I hope that there will be a position open to me on my return to Australia next July-ish time - they have said that it would not be a problem). Leaving dear friends I have made here too will be so very hard.
So, there's lots to organise here and I still have to pack - many lists to be consulted too. As I said, there will be another post here soon, maybe when I get back to UK and then I will set up the next blog and of course,keep you all in the loop...
For the time being though, it's adieu from this wonderful land and the beautiful city of Melbourne.
Safe travels and good luck on your latest adventure!
ReplyDeleteI will be looking forward to your English updates!!!
Excellent! It sounds like it will be the best of and occasionally the saddest(for Mr. SE times).
ReplyDeleteBut I look forward to seeing more of that sweet sweet cottage and reading more of you.
Bon Voyage.
xo Jane
I was just thinking of you today! And then I received your lovely comment on the blog. Thank you for thinking of me, once again.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry we haven't been able to catch up: I've been trying to finish a book that's due to be published in time for Christmas. However. I'm planning a trip to NY and London/Paris in Oct/Nov, and hope to see you then, if you have time? Would be lovely to see your beautiful, smiling face again!
The move is a courageous one too but the best thing for your heart at the moment. You need to be in England this year. Everything will fall into place. And it's not so far to come back for a quick week if you miss Mr SE!
Look forward to reading lots of lovely posts from the autumnal beauty of Wiltshire!
Janelle xx
I'm sure it's a bittersweet move, but it sounds well thought out, and a year goes by in a blink. I'm sure your daughter will be forever grateful to have her mum closer. Have a safe trip.
ReplyDeletex
Oh blast!!!!! I was planning on a trip to Melbourne closer to Christmas and had also planned on just who I would try to catch up with!!!!! Well obviously now I will be one short!
ReplyDeleteI totally understand your feelings about this as you would appreciate but I will miss your lovely Melbourne posts though I will certainly jump ship and join you in Wiltshire in fact if the house ever sells maybe we can catch up in the UK!!!!!! xx
Wow, exciting news!!! (We'll be in England next May, maybe we can meet up??) I look forward to reading your dispatches from England.
ReplyDeleteLots of changes, both happy and some less so, but from the way you write about it it looks like you have thought and planned this carefully and so there is no doubt in my mind you've got a great 12 or so months ahead of you. Enjoy yourself and leave a link to the new blog once you get settled in
ReplyDeletebon voyage :-)
How exciting!
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to hearing all your news from the UK!
Take care and best wishes
SSG xxx
Very adventurous, and I look forward to seeing more of your charming cottage. Happy travelling!
ReplyDeleteHello Sarah - having just got off a BA flight to Sydney to spend some time with my gorgeous girl as she prepares to finish her university life, my heart goes out to you.....I struggle also (as you know!) with this long distance mothering thing!!!!! Safe travels - please get in touch when you get back - I am back in Wiltshire first week of September. It's been too long!!!! Love susie x
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad there is nothing more serious heralding 'the end' of your time as semi-expat. Is there any chance you would consider just keeping this blog going? It does sound like you eventually hope to return down under. Best of luck meantime. ;)
ReplyDeleteThat is wonderful news! I am so excited for you and hope you enjoy spending time with your daughter. I can't wait to read your English posts too!!
ReplyDeleteBest wishes and safe travels,
Natasha
wow...big stuff good luck!!
ReplyDeleteOh I'm sad but happy for you!!! Promise to keep blogging! I love your blog! xxx
ReplyDeleteYou are leaving tonight, my dear friend. I am devastated. I will miss you SOOO much. Can't wait too see you in December. Safe travels!!!! Much love always ... and to Miss P and family too. S xo xo xo
ReplyDeleteYou must be nearly home...so a warm welcome back to you beloved cottage in Wiltshire ( Wiltshire had a great write up in the DT on Saturday).
ReplyDeleteWhereever I travelled my biggest joy was returning to my beloved England.
Looking forward to your take on the UK with fresh views. Ida
Good luck, I hope the journey home goes well and your UK adventures are all happy ones.
ReplyDeleteHang in there and enjoy England. It's because of family that life is better.Have a safe trip!
ReplyDeleteXoXo
Look forward to your new blog and I am sure that your daughter is happy that you will be living much closer.
ReplyDeleteAmicalement, Leeann
Wow, that is a huge decision, but kids hold the trump card where our hearts are concerned don't they! Your daughter will never forget what you are doing for her. AND, yay to having you in the country!! Bx
ReplyDeleteYou have done a great job juggling the difficult situation you've been in the last few years and you're a wonderful mother despite the distance!! Enjoy the autumn (and the last bits of warm weather). Christmas isn't far!!! XXXX
ReplyDeleteWow, wonderful blog layout! How long have you been blogging
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