A couple of months ago things went pretty topsy turvy. Hellishly so. La vie certainly wasn’t belle and our family took a big hit.
But we’re making our way around it, and at the centre of the storm rides my Mum, bracing the elements up front, and showing everyone her courage and determination. It is her strength guiding us, with Dad at her side, keeping us afloat. You are a champion Mum and I love you.
And how’s this, despite all this crap, my family, on both sides of the world, and our friends, are remembering each other and being reminded by each other, that there is love. Everyone is helping out and expressing their love (geez Mum and Dad are even holding hands). Yes I know it’s corny, and I should probably cut the trippy talk and be tough, but at times like this I realise that this IS what bloody well makes the world go round – to look after each other and enjoy ‘la vie’. Really!
How many bloody wake up calls do we need to remember this??!?
La vie est belle. Every crazy day of it.
adelante!
* “Adelante” (Spanish): 1. ahead, in front, forward
It was meant to have been a BIG surprise, but in the end we knew. But that didn’t change ANYTHING in the way of how excited I was to have my parents – for the first time in 12 years!!- come and visit us.
My lovely brother had tried as hard as he could to keep it a surprise until the very last but, with all sorts of things popping up on his end and ours, had to tell us that he was heading our way with two of his kids and da da da daaaa… Ma and Pop in tow!
Since we moved here 14 years ago I’ve been enormously lucky to have had so many friends and family stay – and each time is so special as you get to enjoy each person on their own and usually over an extended time (hey, this is no quick side trip on the itinerary – if you’re going to travel from one side of the world to the other you’d better make it a decent trip!). I adore going back to see everyone in Oz, but it can get hectic trying desparately to catch up with everyone at once. This way, when people come to stay on our turf, I can relish every minute of their company and not have to juggle with a social diary.
So this was Jan and Pete’s – and Mark, Ruby and James’s turn to finally drop their bags and hang out (in the home that my parents hadn’t seen until now!)
I took them to all the places they’d rememebered vividly from twelve years ago, dined in a few lovely bistrots, cooked my favourite meals for them, introduced them to our mates and even snuck in a few drinking sessions, bien sur, with Benji’s wines (yes I’ll make it clear you don’t drink the stuff Mum).
I can’t tell you how good it was to have everyone here at last. I’m still smiling. Thanks big bro Mark for making it happen!
ps – a word of warning! there’s a few pics down below, sorry – but hell, this trip was twelve years in the making!
the view on the first morningshowing Ma and Pop the classroomLa Cite in Carcassonne – or ‘Kevin’ as we like to call it. The original hill site dates back to the 6th Century BC, with the Romans fortifying the hilltop in 100 BC. The Visigoths claimed the land from the 5th and 6th centuries. It was held by various different leaders from the 11th century onwards and underwent a complete renovation in the 19th century.an elegant entry to the dunnyinside Kevinoutside Kevinbuying ‘Loukoum’ (Turkish Delight) at the Olonzac marketthe Aussies at the Olonzac market – with a bit of Aussie culture thrown inlunch at L’Estagnol in Narbonneafter lunch stroll in ‘le cloitre’ (the cloister) of the Cathedral of ‘Saint Just et Saint Pasteur’ of Narbonne – built during the 14th and 15th centuriesview from le cloitre (cloister)a happier Citroen 2CV in NarbonneDad and ‘Junior’ at the stove making the family favourite, Osso Buco (YES Phillip, one more time!!)Mark, Lilas and Pop (keep working Mark)Benji’s juice, Nicki’s artwork…working hard on the terrace with Who and the Australian Woman’s Weekly, direct off the plane from Ozoff to MinerveMinerve – this fortified village is perched above the Brian and the Cesse rivers and earliest writings on it date back to the 9th century. It is famous for being a Cathar stronghold until the early 13th century.Chateau Minerveone of the best views in Minerve – located from the cafe’s dunny. Love the wallpaperRomeo and Juliet on the bridgea wine producer selling some other fruit!a great way to finish the visit… swimming in Minerveone of the folks’ faves, the Canal du Midihappy campers
‘Oh you’re her father’s girl!’ people always said while I was growing up. My dad grew up in a country town and was one of ten, 8 boys and 2 girls. He and his brothers played a lot of footy, took a lot of girls to the local dances (he met Mum at around this time) – and the band of brothers learnt the ways of the bottle pretty early on. There are many parts of me that are Dad and they’re not all liquid-related – but let’s just say there’s a tradition to uphold and an annual trip back to Australia requires some catching up. Thankfully I’ve acquired a bit of Mum in me too in the last few years, but hey, it is Summer and it is once a year.
The Vigneron's Wife 