Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Happy New Year, Goodbye (and a little bit of Gordes)

Did you all have a Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays? Can you believe 2012 is almost over? (Already over for all my Australian/NZ friends!)

I wonder what 2013 will bring us all?

I have a few last photos to share of our anniversary overnighter in Gordes.

(We also stopped off in Bonnieux for a few minutes to enjoy the view in the last light):

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Once we arrived in Gordes we ahhhhed over our nice room (an anniversary gift to each other):

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The lobby

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I only took the sewing kit. Such restraint.
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Mirrored wardrobe in the bathroom. Noice. Seeing my backside reflected to infinity, not so noice. 

We took a stroll through the deserted streets, admiring the Christmas lights:

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Puddy tat warming his buns on an uplight

Then it was back to the hotel for a decadent dinner:

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We both marvelled at how little admin is required when it's just the two of us. So easy!

After a huge meal we headed back to our room.

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Have to love a hotel that leaves such lovely treats when they turn down the bed.

The next day we drove home to relieve the babysitter and took the kids to the Rognes Truffle Festival. I was hoping to post about that before we left but time is getting away from me.

We have five days left in France and only three nights left in our home. Things are pretty busy at the moment and I can't see me having time to blog again until we are settled in at home in Australia.

I'm still planning to blog once we get home although obviously the travel component will be greatly reduced and much more Australian. The crafting and sewing will continue.

My feelings on our imminent departure are mixed. Given I've already had two glasses of wine (hey, it's New Year's Eve!) and I'm feeling a little emotional, let me just say this:
  • I love France. 
  • I love Australia. 
  • I love that our fourth baby was born in France. 
  • I could not have enjoyed France as much as I did without knowing Australia was there for me to return to, whenever I wanted. 
  • I'm sure Australia has changed in our three years away. I know I certainly have. It may be hard to readjust to my old life. 
  • Travelling with four children can be tiring, frustrating and expensive - but none of that will be what we remember when we think back on our life in France. I'm so glad we pushed through the difficult stuff and made the most of our time here. We have no regrets. (Non, rien de rien...)
  • I'm actually looking forward to sitting still and not travelling everywhere for a change. 
  • I miss being able to deal with difficult things in my mother tongue.
  • I know as soon as I get home I'll miss speaking French. 
  • I'm so, so glad we had the opportunity to live overseas.
  • I'm so, so glad I decided to start this blog. 
Merci beaucoup to all of you who've accompanied and encouraged me along on this journey. This blog has forced me to finish projects, process photographs and keep a journal I will treasure in the years to come. The bonus has been meeting so many wonderful new friends, either virtually or in the flesh. You guys rock.

So, I'll see you in February, okay? We are stopping in Hong Kong for a week on the way home so if any of you have any hot tips for things to do/see/eat I'd be eternally grateful if you left me a little note below.

Happy New Year, tout le monde, and may 2013 be your best year yet!

P.S I'll be turning the word verification back on for comments while we're away. Sorry, but I'm tired of Canadian pharmacies trying to sell me (and you) viagra. Seriously Canada, what gives?

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Fromage, tu vas me manquer. *sob*

46 comments:

Joop Zand said...

Wish you a wonderful New Year Kirsty

Bonne Année

see you later, have a nice trip.

Greetings, joop

meredith said...

Happy New year Kirsty! I'm so glad I was able to meet you in 2012. Best wishes for 2013 and all the new adventures it will bring!

verobirdie said...

Have a safe trip back home. What a way to start the new year! All the best to you all.

Michele said...

I know you'll miss the fromage. Best wishes in Australia.

Abby said...

Tear... Sad to see you leave, but happy that we can continue to follow your adventures in Australia! Enjoy the next few days... France will miss you dearly! BONNE ANNEE :)

Teresa said...

I'm sure I will enjoy all your posts even if they aren't from France! All the best for 2013 from the Northern part of Europe!

Carol said...

I've totally enjoyed your French adventure...LOVE all the pictures, felt like I was there! HOWEVER, I will look forward to your Australia posts as it too is on my bucket list...! May you totally soak up extra "french" memories before you leave!

Susan said...

It will be strange reading your blog knowing you're just up the road (sort of! ) Safe travels....

Lindy in Brisbane said...

How bitter-sweet. I will miss the Frenchness of your posts. They have been noice, unushewal. Good on you for having the courage to follow a dream. Hope you have a hassle free journey home.

Miriam said...

Happy New Year Kirsty!!

Travel safely.

Marg said...

Happy New Year. I will dearly miss your posts on France, but I'm a little bit, hell no, a lot excited that you won't be very far away at all in a couple of weeks. Woo hoo. Will ask BP for any recommendations in HK as she went there not so long ago.

Sharon T said...

It has been such a joy to follow you on your wonderful journey. Thank you so very much for the fabulous pictures and such informative journaling...you have taken me on a magical ride! Happy New Year!

blandina said...

Tears fill my eyes. Good bye dear friend, I was one of the lucky ones who met you in flesh (and twice!).
There was no time for another visit to Florence, but remember that I will be waiting for you to come in the future.
Bisous aux enfants, and my regards to Monsieur. Good luck.

Carolyn said...

Stunning pictures as usual. Thanks for taking us with you on the journey. Have a safe trip home & Happy New Year!

Needle little Balance said...

A happy new year to you and yours! I´m glad that you´ll continue to blog. I sure love your fotos of places in France but I´m looking foreward to seeing Australia through your camera as well. Have a safe trip home! From the view of an lactose intolerant - cheese is overrated anyways. ;-)

helen said...

Thank you so much for me being able to live vicariously thru your blog. Have a brillant start to 2013. i was going to type "live it up" in french for your remaining time there, but my husband (who speaks french) wont tell me how to say it! So no looking clever on my part there... I look forward to reading about your journey back home though.

Fiona said...

Happy New Year! I hope your move goes well. I look forward to reading your adventures settling back into 'home'. Good luck. Fiona X

Little Sweet Spots said...

Canada is just too stinking cold, so they need the extra help in the boudoir :)
I am so glad you started this blog too. I wish you all the best and safe travels! xo Karen

Nicola said...

Meilleurs Voeux for 2013 from the Berries! It was such a pleasure to get to know you for real in 2012. I am going to miss having you as my blog 'neighbour' in France but I'm looking forward to seeing Australia through your eyes. Your stories, stitching and photos are always such an inspiration. It was finding your blog that made me finally decide to start one of my own and that has made my own time in France so much richer so thank you for that! Bon Voyage and Bon Courage for all those flights with toddlers in tow! Nicky x

Jenny M said...

Hope your journey home goes well and that settling back here Australia goes smoothly for you. Thank you for all the stunning photos of your travels thru the French towns and countryside. Wishing you a wonderful year ahead.

Anonymous said...

Bugger! I typed a reply for you regarding Hong Kong and it doesn't seem to have loaded ... damn.

I have been lurking about reading your blog for awhile now and notice that you've asked for some info on Hong Kong. I am an Aussie too and have been living here in HK for the last 10 years.

Not sure if you've been here before so if you have any specific questions let me know at lostinhonkers@yahoo.com.au and I'll get back to you asap.

Cheers

Jo

Liza in Ann Arbor said...

Though I'll miss your French travel posts, I'll still be following along. Good luck with the move back and Happy New Year.

Esch House Quilts said...

Best wishes for a smooth trip back home!

Kirsty @ Bonjour Quilts said...

Thanks Liza. Happy New Year!

JoeinVegas said...

I hope you have as much fun back in Australia - perhaps you can travel around your country as much~

Sara Louise said...

And now I'm blubbering in my tea.
Wishing you all safe travels home, let us know that you've arrived safely please.
I'm so very glad you started this blog as well.
Miss you already.
Kisses from me and Hegory Gwegowy and a big lick from Fifty xx

Fat Dormouse said...

Travel safely! I look forward to reading about Australia

Kirsty @ Bonjour Quilts said...

Thanks Sharon, all the best for 2013!

Kirsty @ Bonjour Quilts said...

Ha, darn husbands! Have a great 2013 and thanks for coming along on the ride.

Annie Cholewa said...

Missed this ... and you're probably en route now ... safe journey. Looking forward to the Australian posts! And Happy 2013 x

Anonymous said...

Welcome Home! I know you will miss France, heck I only spent 2 days there and I miss it, but you will love being back in Aus xxBrenda

michelle said...

Thank you so much for your amazing posts and even more amazing photos. Your blog has been inspirational. Gods speed to you and your little family for a safe return. I along with many more look forward to your reinvention of You Had Me... if anyone can do it dear Kirsty, it's you. Mxxxx

Lauren said...

I'm so, so glad that you decided to start this blog too. I've loved every one of your posts. Your photos, your humour and your descriptions of your time in France have brought me a lot of enjoyment. Happy new year to you & your family, and I look forward to the resumption of your posts when you have settled back into life in Australia.

Kim said...

Safe travels and a happy new year - looking forward to reading your blog from the other side of the world, rather then just over the channel!

Carla said...

I apologize for our silly ads. I have so enjoyed all your travel pics. France is beautiful! Hopefully I will get there one day.
Happy new year

Anonymous said...

I am so going to miss your French posts - but looking forward to reading Australian! Have a safe journey and all the best in 2013! Mojca from Slovenia

Anonymous said...

Kirsty
I've really enjoyed reading about your travels around France with your kiddies. I hope they travel well back to Australia for you.
Looking forward to hearing about the trip and you and your family settling back home and eating lots of Vegemite <3. Aussie, Aussie, Aussie!!!
Where are you moving to in Australia?
Birdie

Anonymous said...

Ohh, Hong Kong, you must visit Disneyland of course, ok I know you had Paris Disneyland and its not as big as that but hey you have to go, Temple Street Market is really good, the Tram up to the peak is great, a ride on the harbur on a sampan, also, what we did was on the day we were leaving left all out baggage in hold at the airport and then took the chairlift up to the big buhdda - amazing - enjoy and welcome home xxBrenda

Michelle Carvalho said...

You probably won't see this for a while then, but I just wanted to say as always, I LOVE your pictures! They just whisk me away. It sounds like you guys have had such a wonderful time in France, many memories were made! That's what the kids will hold on to :)
Hope your trip is safe!
And I love your last comment about the word verification :)

Salley said...

Hope you arent arriving "back home' in this heatwave.
You will be so unsettled as a returning expat....so I wish you luck.....dont forget about 'Kirsty"..whilst you are busy getting everyone else settled...and keep writing! I'll miss your humour, otherwise!

Wendy said...

Safe travels, Kirsty! I'm so glad I discovered your blog last year, it's been wonderful of you to share so many of your adventures in Europe and I look forward to reading about your new life in Australia. Wishing you and your family all the best as you get settled in for the next chapter. Cheers!

Eva said...

Thank you for letting us take part in the journey! All the best for settling in in Australia and I'm looking forward to your first Down Under post! :-)

Bouts Choisis said...

Have a safe trip home! Will you change the name of the blog when you are back in Australia?

suz said...

Wishing you a safe journey home. Thank you so much for sharing your travels around France. It was lovely to "join" you and your family.

Poppyprint said...

Hey, it's March already. Where are you? How are you? Sorry about the Viagra. They never try to sell me that stuff. I guess the markups from overseas buyers are too lucrative.

eva said...

i was just going to bookmark your blog

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