Our visitors – friends and family – have reminded us of our life in the UK and the fact that we will be returning there in the summer. I think this is also something I had mixed feelings about, but now I am looking forward to returning, but, equally, I can’t wait for another opportunity to live abroad.
Tomorrow I’m returning briefly to Brighton for a friend’s wedding – a very happy event – and also to see my family there.
Compared with the trip I made in November, I am very relaxed about this trip. I like how I now feel comfortable living in France. Last time I returned here with a suitcase full of stuff. This time I am taking a packed suitcase of things to Brighton and plan to return with, maybe, a jar of mango chutney and some teabags – but nothing more. We are happy with what we have here.
Although my health isn’t great and I am not able to eat a very wide variety of foods, I think I have found a good equilibrium in terms of looking after myself, resting and eating the right things. In fact, I think I am doing this better than I usually do in the UK – I have to remember how I have managed this for when we return.
This rhythm of life has also meant that I am sticking at some of the things I often find difficult due to fluctuations in my health. My guitar playing has improved considerably (although still isn’t very good). I have also been able to devour numerous novels and work my way through some non-fiction books too.
I think I have benefited from being away from all the day-to-day low-key stress and the comfortable rut I had found myself in. Not that there are no stresses here – very big ones like the language and totally different bureaucratic structures, laws and cultural rules, to name just a few.
However, I have seen me and my health lifted out of my normal environment and I think I understand more about how I can now get the most out of life when I get back to the UK. If that is the only thing I get out of this stay, it has been a very valuable year.
