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):

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

The lobby

I only took the sewing kit. Such restraint.

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:

Puddy tat warming his buns on an uplight

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

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.

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?

Fromage, tu vas me manquer. *sob*