I woke this morning totally disorientated. It was mostly dark, with just a wee bit of light coming in through the window. I truly thought I was still in Villefranche-sur-Mer, and that the light was coming in from the window on my left that looked out over the Mediterranean. Would there be a new cruise ship in the harbour today? Were Mike and Keith up already and having coffee on the terrace?

Then the cat jumped up onto the bed, and the whole room instantly rotated in my mind. So weird how that happens. The window was on actually my right. It’s a window I love. No sea outside, but instead a camelia and my favourite chinese lantern tree with the bright orange flower – given to me by my Dad.

Despite a really good night’s sleep I am still really tired today, and a wee bit emotional which I’m told is to be expected. So my apologies if this, my last post, is a wee bit gushy. But I am so full of… a lot. This trip has been so far above all that I had imagined.

To those of you who have read this funny old blog – thank you. Your comments were really encouraging and I’m so glad I was able to share our experiences with you.

To anyone who has been to France, or probably anywhere in Europe, and has raved to me about it – I’m so sorry if my responses were a bit on the bland side. But now, I get it. I really, really do.

I am totally smitten with France.

I understand that I have been looking at her through touristy, rose-coloured glasses but it was the only pair available for me to wear. And given the opportunity to return and stay long enough to replace them with another more realistic pair, well I’d jump at the chance. Particularly as that old pair looked so great on my husband.

Thank you my darling Clivey for your brave and careful driving. Without that, we would not have experienced the countless wee villages that were almost too beautiful to be true. There would have been no Chocolat in Flavigny-sur-Ozerain, no church bells in Fixin. I would not have found my new home in Perogues or seen Julia’s cottage with my very own eyes. Nor would I have become addicted to peanut M & Ms. And thank you too for being my personal walking tour guide. You were amazing!

I also want to thank the lady with the American accent and terrible French pronunciation, who lives in our Goggle navigation system. We fondly gave her the French name Joie, or in English – Joyce. Surname “Voice”, middle name “the”. She was with us the whole way and we would have been lost, a thousand times lost, without her.

To Keith and Margaret, Mike and Durelle – it was SO much fun spending a week in the South of France with you guys. Thank you for all the laughs, all the deep-and-meaningfuls, all the shared experiences. It was a fantastic way to finish off our time in France and made our whole experience that much richer. We love you guys big time.

I didn’t want it to be over; I did not want to leave. But as our long plane trip back came to a close, and the Land of the Long White Cloud came into view, I had an unexpected heart pang. The rolling green hills, the beautiful coastline – both our boys waiting for us with hugs that I had been sorely missing. This is where my people are. I am very thankful.

To Almighty God, the ultimate artist, the giver of all good things (including pastries) – to Him be the glory forever and ever.

xxx