Ex-patia and Re-entry shock

I have long had in my head a post about Ex-patia. This is the place of being that we currently live. It's not just a physical place, but also a state of mind, a lifestyle, a daily reality, a counter-life. And I made the name up myself.

In Ex-patia, we live in a bubble...a soft, protected bubble. Where it's easy to have no idea what's going on in the local area (good thing - crime? what's that? sure it doesn't exist as I can't read the papers/watch the news/listen to the radio to know it exists, bad thing - something special on this weekend? don't ask me, I wouldn't know), where you belong to a small, supportive group of like-situated individuals who know exactly what Ex-patia is like, where the opportunities for travel are unbelievable - just jump in the car and within a couple of hours you're in France, Italy, Germany - and where you know it won't last forever.

Which is where re-entry shock comes into it. A woman I know recently mentioned a book called Homeward Bound - a spouses guide to repatriation by Robin Pascoe. I've just checked out the website and it looks like I need the book. Good timing. A lot of what she writes about strikes a chord for me.

Think I'm gonna need all the help I can get.

Mexican brunch, then back to the real world

Yesterday Rose picked me up in front of the train station (after doing the school/garderie drop off) and we drove to Monica's for the Mexican brunch. She lives the other side of Lausanne (Cugy) in a nice place. Only thing is they have a pylon in their backyard (as in a large electricity thing). Yikes, it's huge. She made enchilladas (chicken) which were yummy and Rose had made a white chocolate cheesecake which was so rich and delicious. I gave them each a bag of SR flour (weird, but expensive and hard to find here!) and some Rocky Road I made for Monica.

After I got home a woman from the gerance/regie/whatever the hell they're called came to look at the place to see what work needs to be done. The only thing she commented on were the 'Picasso' scribbles on the walls courtesy of the girls. She asked if we had some sort of insurance that I'm not familiar with. MK spent the rest of the afternoon working those magic sponges!

She asked who had put in an inscription (thought she'd know that) and we mentioned Gary's name (the super-keener). She said she was going to look at his inscription and they would be ringing us next week. I rang Gary as soon as she left and he's going to ring them...he needs to give his notice by tomorrow (as the end of the month) if he gets this apartment.

Please, please, please let it be Gary.

Although as an interesting sidenote, Rose reckons we're out of the contract with the gerance as soon as they put the rent up. This apparently breaks the contract, especially as they didn't notify us. Hmmmm, hope we don't need to quibble this point.

Now Baking for sale?

When I started Now Baking in mid 2004 my brother advised me to sell it when we leave. Then when we knew we were leaving Christine C (dear friend and lawyer) strongly encouraged me to sell the business. My first reaction is I have no business to sell...it's just a hobby. But I suppose I do. Even though I'll take the name and the website with me, I still have my customer base, email mailing list, recipes and goodwill. So that's something. I asked a couple of people if they were interested (Lucinda - no, and seeing as she works it was to be expected, Rose from the baking class - no, they've just found out they're moving to Sweden and Grace - no, not the right time for their family) but didn't get far.

Until today. A woman called Marlene emailed me via the website and I rang her back. She's 62yo, recently out of work (same company as MK), loves to bake, is looking for something to do and Monica (also in the baking class) had told her about me. We chatted for a while, and she was keen to meet up. Which we'll do next Thursday. Even though I don't know the amount, money was mentioned and she is going to think about a price. As will I. I just hope that if she is interested I have enough time - and headspace - to do a thorough handover.

Productive yesterday, sick today

Yesterday I achieved quite a bit. Got on the phone in the afternoon (went for my jog after dropping the girls off to school and garderie, then Lucinda and Stefan visited in the morning, stayed for lunch) and rang a bunch of places advising them we're leaving. Generally had no problems finding someone who spoke English. Some places only required a phone call, others a letters, and some a letter and the Attestation de Depart from the Commune. So afterwards I went to the Commune and picked up the form you need to complete in order to get the Attestation. Straight forward form and you just have to hand it in, with Sf10, and they issue the Attestation on the spot. Which is what MK did today.

I also went to the bank to find out the process for closing our account. Once again, fairly straightforward, but it was funny when the woman said the bank only continues relationships with people who are overseas who have a minimum of Sf50,000. That's one relationship that won't be continuing then!

Still haven't heard about the apartment. There were a few people who called last week, but none turned into a visit. The one guy who is really keen - and the only one as of last week to submit an inscription - came back late last week to show his wife. He also mentioned that he'd be interested in a lot of our stuff. He is the perfect tenant, for us anyway. I am really really hoping they offer it to him. But I know they wanted more than one inscription and I just don't see that happening now. It's getting late - the interested guy needs to let his place know by the end of this week that he's giving notice. Please, please, please offer him the apartment.

We started to advertise the car as well. Early days yet, but I am really hoping that we sell it for the price we're asking. Hell, I really hope we sell it.

Later in the day yesterday I got a headache, but functioned ok. Today I woke up with the headache and didn't function ok. Spent a lot of time on the white couch, wiped out. Felt sick in my tummy and my head was pounding. Advil didn't work. Feel a bit better tonight, but hoping tomorrow I'm back to normal. Girls were home all day today, but luckily when MK woke up he was able to take them out for a bit. They did some jobs (Commune, post office to send letters and pay bills) and then took their bike and scooter out around the fountain.

Back to real life

We got home around 5.40pm tonight, tired and crabby and definitely ready to be home. The last part of the car trip was a bit of a nightmare...screaming, crying and general carrying on. Not to mention how MK and I felt. Ugghhh, and poor MK had to go to work tonight as he starts a week of nightshift.

Anyway, we got through dinner and bath and the girls went to be in good-enough time.

And now to think about what I have to do this week...hopefully show more people through the apartment with some of them sending in their inscriptions, post the car ad in different places (starting with Lausanne Kids website tonight), send off some parcels (if I don't do it before we leave I have to pack the gifts with all our other stuff being shipped and god knows when I'll see them again), chase up the quotes from the two removalist companies who were here last Tuesday, start notifying utilities and services that we are moving.

And catch up with people. I had two phonecalls on the answering machine tonight from friends referring to the ticking time and wanting to catch up. Me too, just need to find the time and headspace to do it.

Au revoir, Burgundy and France

Had our hotel buffet breakfast again then packed and left, after dragging the girls away from the lego play area in the lobby. Then a moment of potential marital compromise - MK wanted to go wine tasting at a special place in town (15 wines for 10 euros) and I was happy to go grocery shopping and head home. Solution - Charlotte and I went shopping (Casa, an inexpensive homeware store, Champion for groceries and a shoe store for Charlotte. We replaced her old size 25 Barbie sneakers with size 27 shoes -oops!) and MK and Lily went wine tasting. We all met up again at the shopping centre for lunch. Everyone happy! Now on the road home after leaving Beaune around 2.20pm, Charlotte, Lily 'reading', Flinstones CD on and it's now raining.

Sunday in Burgundy

Yesterday, after our hotel buffet breakfast, we drove to a small town near Beaune called Savigny-les-Beaune looking for their Sunday market. No market but did see a beautiful Chateau so went there. Chateau was MK's dream - it had vineyards and wine tasting, old motorbike and model airplane museum, big military plane display and a racing car collection. A dream destination for boys of all ages! After we went back to Beaune and looked around the beautiful Hospices de Beaune Hotel-Dieu. Another traditional dinner before an early night.

Beaune

Left home yesterday at 11.30am and the trip took 3.5 hours, not 2.5 hours MK said it would. Worth it though. Hotel location a bit ordinary but a short drive into town. After settling and checking out our room we drove in. Girls went on a beautiful carousal then went for a wander. Looked in a great cookbook/wine/souvenir shop - so many temptations. Girls wanted to go on the tourist train around town so we did. Dinner didn't start in most places till 7pm but the girls hungry so found a restaurant that was open - more touristic? Anyway Lily had her first escargot. And then another! We enjoyed our boeuf bourguignon and pommes purree. And back to the hotel by 9pm.

On the road

The girls have a zip-lock bag of cheerios each and the Flinstones holiday cd is on. We must be on a driving holiday!

Well, I'm not in London - off to Burgundy

The flight was at 7am this morning and I wasn't on it. Didn't even cancel my ticket. That was MK's job last night (I went out for dinner with Nina, Christine C, Lorretta and Lucinda to the Thai restaurant at the Alpha Palmiers hotel) but he couldn't find the place to do it on the easyJet website. So there you go.

Instead we are going to Burgundy, specifically a place caled Beaune and this hotel. We leave in a minute (I packed this morning) and we're back Monday. I know nothing about the area but apparently we won't be far from Dijon. The region is known, according to MK, for it's wine, mustard and snails. None on my top 10 list, but I'm sure there are other temptations.

Flight update

I have booked and paid (*gasp*) for the flights home. Slight change in the dates, give MK an extra 2 days in HK (one at each end).

Wed Nov 1st Geneva - Hong Kong (via London)

Arrive Thurs Nov 2nd

Sat Nov 11th Hong Kong - Melbourne (MK only)

Arrive Sun Nov 12th

Fri Nov 17th Hong Kong - Melbourne (Girls and I, and hopefully Mum)

Arrive Sat Nov 18th

MK starts work Nov 14th and will be at his parent's place when he first gets back. He'll pick us up off the plane and we'll head back to Mum and Dad's place. Where we'll stay for...well, that's the million dollar question.

School update

I rang the Principal of the Montessori back the next morning as I couldn't get through when she told me to ring. We had a long chat, and in a nutshell there is one place left for both girls and that place will be held for them. It's a different system than what I am familiar with but basically Lily would go into Cycle 1 Year 3 (5 days a week, 9am-3.15pm) and Charlotte would go into Cycle 1 Year 1 (4 mornings a week 9.15am-12.15pm. Normally it's 3 mornings a week but when I told her Charlotte's current garderie hours she was able to offer an extra morning).

School starts January 30th which is only 2 months after we arrive, so that's a bit more pressure.

I now need to fax the registration form for both girls and the $65 processing fee (non refundable) per application. If I have trouble sending the money she will hold the places till October 20th.

And when we get back she wants us to come in as soon as possible to meet with her and sit in on a class so we can see the school in action. If we decide to go ahead the bigger fees begin.

Even if we don't end up in the Gisborne area I feel like I've done something to begin the process of finding a school for Lily. And one thing always leads to another.

We had Nina and Darren, the kids and Nina's Mum Elaine over for dinner on Wednesday night. They are in Lausanne for a week, and in Europe for 5 weeks, before returning to Melbourne. Elaine asked if we'd heard of Camberwell Primary School saying it's a half French, half English curriculum. Then when I had my hair cut the next morning David mentioned the school as well.

So I tried ringing them early Friday morning but it rang out. Found out later it's school holidays so I need to ring back in a couple of weeks.

It would be an interesting option. It's a public primary school so you need to live in the area to go there...don't know the area, but I'm guessing Camberwell is well out of our price range for buying a house.

Can't sleep...

Went to bed at my usual (late) time of 11.30pm but I just lay there with my eyes open. So decided to get up and...call Australia. I've just been speaking with the Principal at the Gisborne Montessori school and she asked if I could call her back in 30mins as she has a meeting. Sure, but it'll be 1.10am when I phone her so I said it'll be 30mins on the dot.

The two removalists companies came round yesterday for a quote...the one in the morning was far more professional and thorough than the guys in the afternoon. So even though we're yet to see the quotes I know which company I'd feel comfortable dealing with. Still going to cost us a sh*tload of money to get our bits n' pieces home. And we'll take the bare minimum...sell, give away and throw out the majority of stuff.

So that's another reason I couldn't sleep...I was visualising holding an Open House with all our stuff for sale. I'd stick signs on everything saying what it is and the price. People would walk through the apartment and look at everything (mostly in it's natural habitat). And then hopefully buy it.

Another woman came round to look at the apartment tonight. Once again it was hard to gauge her interest level. MK saw a piece of paper she dropped which mentioned three apartments she was looking at tonight (including ours). She took an inscription and I hope she fills it in.

No Milan for us this weekend

This weekend is the one we were hoping to go to Milan. I was originally booked to go to London for a catch up with the EC gals but it's a long weekend for MK so we thought we'd take advantage of it and go to Milan as MK has never been there.

But there are no hotels available. I checked with the travel agent near the train station here and she confirmed this. Said there is between 8 and 10 salon (like tradeshows) on there this weekend so no hotel accomodation.

Hmmmm, so where to go? MK is looking at the French guide book now to find other ideas.

But I still haven't cancelled my London flights...

Living in Gisborne

Last night I started looking at houses to buy in Gisborne. That got me a bit fired up. Today I found a school for the the girls in Gisborne (the Montessori) and I'm going to phone them tomorrow morning.

I'm fantasising about how great it would be to live real close to Mum and Dad. How much the girls would love it. How much we'd love it.

I know, I know it ain't practical for MK's job. But I can dream, right?

On a roll now, let's get this show on the road

Public holiday here today (jeune federale) but hasn't stopped me making a million phone calls...to Australia.

Been doing some real estate research and last night came across a Buyers Advocate website in Melbourne. After reading her website got excited about this being the answer to our (one of many) prayers. So first thing this morning I rang her (Melissa Opie from KPI, from her photo and name I'm sure I know her...did we go to school together?) and had a longish chat. Yep, she could do pretty much everything - put us onto a mortgage broker, find us a house (rental or to buy), go to auction for us. The lot. For a fee of course. She'll send us through the mortgage broker info, then we might make a time to meet her when we get back to Melbourne. She could really minimise our workload and timeframe, I imagine.

Then rang Storage 2000 in Adelaide. Giving our brand new cot and change table to Georgie so want her to have access. They were also able to give me a quote to have all the contents moved to Melbourne ($3500!!!!). Rang the property manager for our house in Adelaide - time for a rent review? yes. Plus they can arrange an valuation on the house. Then rang a bunch of other removalist companies in Adelaide to get quotes for our stuff to go to Melbourne. Rang MK's parents (ok if we store our stuff at their place for a while? yes, of course). Rang Georgie - she and James will check out the storage unit on the weekend and see if they can pull out the cot and change table then and there. If not, might need to go back when the removalists are there.

Phew. I'm on a roll and a bit buzzed. Who else can I ring?

Schools? Dad's opinion is to choose a house/area based equally on two criteria - location to MK's work and a good school for Lily. My criteria is somewhere within a 30 min commute to Moorabbin, good access to Mum and Dad's side of town and of course a beautiful house with a big backyard (!). I find the whole school thing a bit overwhelming at the moment. Somewhere like we had Lily enrolled in in Adelaide would be good - a low fee paying independent school with a good reputation. But looking at the map of Melbourne makes my head explode. It's so big. And I'm so unfamiliar with it. But Lily is due to start school three months after we arrive home. Arrggghhhhh.

Even more reason to engage this buyer's advocate. My dream (which I thought was unattainable) is to buy a house before Lily is due to start school so she only has one major move. Not two (rental to the house we buy). I don't know....help!!!!

Brunch menu

Homemade granola
Porridge (extras: cream and brown sugar)
Fresh muffins
Pancakes

I get these bursts of ideas for what I'd put on my brunch menu, if I owned my own place. I've just been reading the Good Food magazine (UK) and it has a granola recipe. Reminds me that this is a great thing to make...and yummy. I loved how popular porridge ('oatmeal') was in NYC. I'd definitely put that on my menu. Gotta have muffins, and of course pancakes. So many things you can do with pancakes.

Or maybe I'll just open a place like Cereality.

Home again from the chalet in Chateau d'Oex

We're back from our trip to the mountains...left the chalet at 7.35pm last night after giving the girls pasta for dinner. While they ate I cleaned and MK packed. Only took us 1hr 10mins to get home (via Bulle, near Gruyere).

Yesterday after our yummy fondue lunch the girls played in the park out the front of the restaurant. Then we went for a walk down to the river Sarine. Girls had fun throwing pebbles and stones into the fast flowing river. When we got back we did some shopping at Coop (just before 5pm by then which is when the shops close, and Monday is a public holiday so I needed supplies) and picked up our souvenirs from Le Chalet, the restaurant we had lunch.

Souvenirs? We haven't really bought souvenirs for ourselves in the last 5 years. But in Gstaad the other day I bought a small metal house plate that says 'bienvenue' and a doormat that says 'Famille de Maison'. Then yesterday at the restaurant we bought a real cow bell (gasp!) and a framed print of a landscape with cows. We are still very conscious of getting this stuff home so I'll be very interested to see what the quote is on Tuesday from the two moving companies that are coming round. But if we don't buy some stuff now we won't have any Swiss stuff to take home (other than Charlotte!).

On Friday we walked into Chateau d'Oex and up to the church on the hill. We wanted to have fondue for lunch but Le Chalet had a large group in and it was an hour wait. Instead we went to La Poste which Marlene (upstairs tenant in Stephanie's chalet) had recommended. Food was good and there was a playroom downstairs for the girls.

We then caught the GoldenPass Panoramic train from Chateau d'Oex to Zweisimmen. It took an hour and was really gorgeous. The scenery was breathtaking. We had just under an hour in Zweisimmen (a place I'd never heard of and it's not that big) to walk around before we caught the GoldenPass train back to Chateau d'Oex.

How to...fondue

Either a single cheese (gruyere) or moitie-moitie (gruyere and vacherin). Use rustic, day old bread. Drink white wine, tea or bubble water to aid digestion (never water). If you drop your bread in the fondue you kiss the person next to you. Rub the pot with garlic before putting the cheese in. The hard, stuck on cheese on the base of the pot is sought after. Fondue is eaten during colder months, not summer.

Fondue

We have had a slow morning at the chalet and now we are at a restaurant called Le Chalet about to have fondue. At least we walked here!

Gstaad

Private jets and helicopters overhead. Well dressed tourists and American accents. Prada and Cartier. Porsche and BMW.
Lunch at Coop restaurant.

Hitting the mountains

We arrived yesterday just after noon and after settling in we walked into town. Chateau d'Oex is not that big so it was an easy walk. Bought lunch and groceries at Coop and ate it close by. Such a warm sunny day, perfect. Caught a telecabine then chairlifts up the mountain to La Broye. Lots of fun in the playground, looking at the animals and going for a walk to see the cows. Who were all wearing cow bells, of course!

A real Swiss chalet!

This place is pretty amazing. The setting alone is breathtaking - we are surrounded by mountains. The chalet is the real deal, all wood and so big. We are on the first floor which has 3 bedrooms, dining room, 2 bathrooms and living room. The balcony has divine views of other chalets and mountains. Tres suisse! The girls like playing in the well-kept garden with fully ripe apple tree.

Tuesday was Thursday

I was able to swap Charlotte's all day garderie for yesterday (Tues) instead of the normal Thursday as we won't be here. So other than picking Lily up at 11.30am, dropping her back at 1.45pm and picking her up at 3.15pm we were free until picking Charlotte up at 4.30pm.

MK cleared out a lot of magazines from the bookshelf in the play area and a lot went into recycling.

I checked flights which confirmed our existing booking is the only way to go. Qantas couldn't give us a one way fare and BA's price was horrendous.

Someone else looked at the apartment

MK listed our apartment on his work intranet Sunday night and by Monday late afternoon a woman was calling wanting to see it.

We arranged for her to come straight away, and she turned up with her husband and brother (brother-in-law?). They weren't here long but she did take an inscription.

Even though she said she was interested it was hard to tell if she was that interested to put in the applicaton.

We're outta here - off to Chateau d'Oex

In a minute we'll hit the road, MK is currently packing the car and the girls and I are hanging out here.

Stephanie told me yesterday that her parents want to go to the chalet for the weekend (Monday is a public holiday). She was surprised as her parents never go there. It's ok with us as we were planning on coming back Sunday, and coming back Saturday is no big deal. MK is working on Monday, as usual, so the long weekend part doesn't affect us (except the girls will be off from school and garderie).

I'm just grateful to have somewhere to go this week.

Charlotte pic of the day

MK was lying on our bed and Charlotte was lying on his feet looking down - I love it!

Booking our flights home

I rang Cathay today and have made tentative flight bookings for all of us. We need to confirm the booking (and pay) by the 22nd Sept if we want to go ahead.

So, in a nutshell, we all leave here on November 2nd and fly to Hong Kong (via London), arriving on Nov 3rd. MK leaves HK on Nov 10th, arriving Melbourne Nov 11th. The girls and I stay on exactly one week longer. We leave HK Nov 17th, arriving Melbourne Nov 18th.

It's going to cost big bucks, but not as big as it would if they were return tickets. Ours are one way.

Once MK and I are completely happy with these dates we'll lock them in.

We're set - Chateau d'Oex it is!

We're all sorted for our trip away...and it's come about in such a nice way.

MK took Lily up to the Deer Park this afternoon and also there were Yasmine and Stephanie. They got chatting about our plans to go away this week as MK had some travel info with him. Well, they were bagging some of our Swiss ideas (we'd considered the possibility of youth hostels and they didn't think much of the areas we were looking at). MK mentioned some other areas we were thinking of, then Stephanie mentioned their family's chalet in Chateau d'Oex (near Gstaad) that is always empty and then she offered it to MK.

I took Charlotte up to the Deer Park later, to meet up with them, and Stephanie told me about her offer. The chalet is always empty, we're welcome to use it and when I asked how much she said 'a cake!'.

MK and I are thrilled...it's in the mountains, it's a generous offer and it's in an area we'd like to go to. Plus it's not too far - maybe an hour and a half. So not too much for the car to handle (hopefully).

Woohoooo! We'll probably leave Wednesday and come back Saturday or Sunday. Stephanie will give me the keys and all the instructions tomorrow.

St Bernard and us in the Mer de Glace, Chamonix

On MK's birthday last weekend.

Business and work opportunities - putting it out there

I've just got back from my jog and as usual it gave me lots of head space to think about all sorts of stuff. Often I think of blog posts, but more often than not they go unwritten. This one won't.

When I come home I will be in a fantastic position to start a new chapter in my life. Create the life I want. Lily will be starting school. Charlotte will be three, and only a couple of years away from starting school. I can be creative and think about what I want to do business or work wise. Ok, money will be a consideration. Much more so than it is here (oh to have the luxury of choice to not work outside the home, like my life here).

But I will put out in the Universe the life I want to create -

I want to do something I feel passionate about.

I want to work the hours I want to work.

I want to work from home and/or work remotely.

I want to utilise the parts of my personality that attract people to me.

I want to work effortlessly.

I want to make really, really good money.

I want people to seek me out.

I want an excellent home/work life balance.

I want time to relax and time for myself.

I want to be able to take time off whenever I want to (in order to be free for school holidays and MK's rostered week's off).

I want to love what I do.

I want a big, beautiful house with a fantastic backyard, an outstanding kitchen and enough room for all the visitors who want to visit.

(Ok, so the last one might not be work related but while I'm putting things out in the Universe...).

Sunday breakfast at the Movenpick

Lucinda suggested we get together for breakfast or brunch this morning, and we invited Christine C as well. Obviously the first choice for both of them, but not me, was Cafe de Grancy (I can't do those pancakes for a third time, even if it's the kids eating them).

So we talked about the Movenpick. Their Sunday brunch doesn't start again until 24th Sept but they do do breakfast. I rang, enquired and later booked even though it was an early start - 9am (breakfast finishes at 10.30am).

And it was really good. I'd been quoted Sf28 for the full buffet and Sf12 for the kids. But when the bill came it was only for the adults meals (four of us - me, Christine, Lucinda and her sister Caroline). The four children weren't charged as they're under 6 years old. Bargain!

Good price, relaxed atmosphere and ya gotta love a buffet. The food was good - birchermuesli, fresh, tinned and dried fruits, meats and cheeses, breads, croissants, other pastries, cereals, made to order omlettes, juices and teas/coffees, bacon, scrambled eggs and sausages. The only really bad thing ironically enough were the pancakes. Yuck! Rubbery and cold. Truly like no other food item I have seen before. I had to taste it to make sure it was as rubbery and awful as it looked (so pale and gross) and it was. So it's official - you can't get good pancakes here!

The kids played in the little playroom then afterwards we went across the road to the playground for the kids to run free (well, as much as you can in busy Ouchy). Christine had to get going, but Lucinda and I stayed on (unsurprisingly my kids were hungry later so I bought them pommes frites, a hotdog and a bottle of bubble water for Sf12!).

We didn't leave till 2pm...after a fun morning catching up and eating. And talking, briefly, about my leaving do. Who (the email list of people I told of our moving home), where (not sure yet, ideas will be sought) and when (Oct 21st).

So, where to then?

Not going to Provence, not going anywhere far in the car, then what to do this week.

We tossed around Milan (probably not, we'll go there in a couple of weeks in lieu of my London trip), or maybe somewhere in Switzerland on the train.

MK is now saying he's happy to travel in the car, say within a couple of hours of here. I'm not sure, but he knows more about cars/our car than I do.

We could always do day trips. Not a bad idea, but not as fun or adventurous as going away for a few days.

I'm never good at coming up with local ideas, ie within Switzerland. Being in the mountains somewhere for a couple of days would be good.

Hmmmm, decisons decisions.

More interest in the apartment

Yesterday another Pom came to look at the apartment. He's the one who originally said he wouldn't be able to move in till 1st December. When he looked at the apartment, though, he seemed so keen that he was talking of ways to make it work for 1st November.

His wife is not here yet, so he is looking for places without her. They have two girls, 5yo and 8mths. I think this is the perfect apartment for someone like them.

He said he'll put in the inscription Monday.

Provence trip is off

The car went in for a (long overdue) service today and as expected (by MK) it needs a new clutch. When I went in to pick the car up the mechanic was talking about us coming in next week to make a time to put the car in for the clutch job (a full day job, he said). I just mentioned we'll be away next week so it'll be the week after next, taking the car he asked, yes I said, errrrr I wouldn't.

So there you have it. The car's stuffed and we shouldn't drive it far. Not as far as Provence.

At least I know now why it was so damn hard to find accomodation in Provence (still not found anywhere).

We were never meant to go.

Last baking class today

Rose and Monica had their final baking class today. Monica would have kept going, she is so keen! But I can't get my head around any more committments than is necessary.

Today we had a baking marathon and I got Rose and Monica in the kitchen...for the first time! We were all baking today, and it was good fun. So we made No-bake choc almond slice, Carrot and pineapple cake, Pumpkin muffins (thanks Mel!), Corn muffins and Little cream cakes.

And we made a date for our breakfast round at Monica's - Thurs Sept 28th. And Rose has just found out she and her husband are moving to Sweden so we'll be saying goodbye to her too (although they won't be going till Jan or March).

Provence next week?

MK has a rostered week off next week and we've been thinking we'd like to drive down to Provence. But accomodation is turning out to be a little tricky. Everywhere is booked. Or the 2 places that have availability are super expensive. There is a place but it can only offer 3 nights and we want 4.

Still plugging away at it, see what I can turn up. MK is on weekend nightshift so is sleeping most of Monday then we'll get away Monday night and go half way (or more). We plan to head home Saturday.

If we can find somewhere to stay.

Feeling better this week

I am choosing to focus on what we have instead of what we don't.

Keeping positive and believing that everything will turn out alright.

Believing that we can do this.

Last night a guy called Gary came round to look at the apartment. He was keen and is able to move in November 1st. I called the gerance today and eventually found someone who spoke limited English. She said he needs to call in and fill out an inscription (application) for the apartment.

Another guy is looking at the apartment Saturday morning but is not able to move in till December 1st. Still worth taking a look and if interested fill out an inscription.

Christine C rang today - her and Lucinda would like to organise a leaving do. They proposed Sat Oct 28th, but that weekend we'll be cleaning. So it will be Oct 21st, the Saturday before.

Photos from MK's b'day

Our day out in Chamonix and Mer de Glace (glacier).

The word is getting out there...

Last night I spoke with Rose (from the baking class) about taking over my baking business. She has just found out they're moving to Sweden for her husband's job (after just buying their own home here) so a new business is not on the agenda now. But she did mention the people who moved into their old apartment might be looking for stuff to buy, so they might phone.

And today, while Lucinda and Stefan were visiting, Nicky H rang to say a colleague of her husband's might be interested in looking at our apartment. Plus she asked if we were selling a microwave (yes) and if I was selling my baking business as she knows someone who's interested.

Wow. A lot can happen in a short time.

I sent the letter

Late this afternoon I put the letter in the letterbox...the one to the gerance giving notice on our apartment for October 31st. I don't really know what it says as Stephanie wrote it and it's all in French. But I can read the general gist.

So I send it out into the Universe with good feelings and trusting it will be received in that spirit.

Our apartment - the fun begins

Stephanie and her husband weren't able to look at our apartment till this morning, so after school and garderie drop-off they came round. Even though they seemed positive, later Stephanie told me it's a bit small and she really does want a garden. I understand. They're trying for a third baby (already have 2 boys) so space is important.

But Stephanie was able to write me the letter I need to send to the gerance (real estate people) advising them that we're leaving. MK printed the letter off at work and I hope to send it out tonight. Not quite the 3 months notice that we're required to give (more like 8 weeks) but fingers crossed.

And I sent an email out to my friends here telling them our news and mentioning the apartment so hopefully something will turn up. I feel fairly confident we'll find someone for the apartment. Less confident about the response from the gerance.

Busy weekend

Gone all day Saturday and Sunday, both daytrips into France but different locations.

Michael decided on the trip to Chamonix for his birthday and it was a good, but long, day. We didn't get away as early as we should have but that's often the case with us. Took us about an hour a half to get to Chamonix so we looked for lunch as soon as it we got there. Chamonix reminded me of Zermatt, but bigger. A very pretty ski village surrounded by mountains and living in the shadow of a well known mountain, in this case Mont Blanc. MK also said the buildings weren't as traditional as in Zermatt.

Lunch was in a very interesting restaurant kitted out in all sorts of bric and brac. Obviously a very well established touristic place. We enjoyed our 3 course meal and the kids their menu enfant.

After, we caught the train up to the Glace de Mer (Sea of Ice) which was a 20min trip up the mountain. Had a good view of the glacier, but Lily wanted to catch the gondolier down to the glacier. We agreed, and I'm glad we did. At the bottom we walked all the way down to the glacier (long series of stairs) then we were able to go into a tunnelled out ice cave. It was really cool, pardon the pun. Apparently a new one gets tunnelled every year as the glacier moves that much. The cave was lit in different colours and the walls were icy smooth. There were some ice carvings and we even had a family photo taken with a St Bernard dog!

Lily and I ran back up the stairs then caught the gondolier, more time looking at the view and a cystal display cave before catching the train back down to Chamonix. Things turned a bit messy for a while as Charlotte said she needed toilet. No probs, started looking for one but no luck. So I took her just off the platform at the Chamonix station. And waited. And waited. I thought she we were waiting for pee-pee (that's what she said) but no, eventually the end result was not pee-pee. Ewwwwww. So there I was bagging ca-ca and wiping her bottom. Luckily without much of an audience. A kind rail worker bought over a full watering can which got rid of the Mr Hanky handprint. Otherwise we left no trace of our Welcome to Chamonix dump.

Had a bit more of a look round town (so busy), picked up some things in the supermarket and headed home. Bit later than we intended - it was around 8.30pm when we got in - but a good day.

Yesterday was the Big Day Out for MK's contracting company at an adventure park in France on the way to Annency. Once again we got away a bit late, and then got caught in crawling traffic just as we got close, but I'm glad we didn't get there any earlier. It was a good day, but I didn't know anyone, the food was just ok, it was hot, Charlotte wanted to do her own thing (fine, but that didn't include the activities organised for the other kids admittedly for 3 years plus), Lily wet her pants and the music in the tent (where the shade was) was too loud.

But then it's impossible to compete with the multinational companys' family Picnic from the week before which is the event to end all events.

Happy Birthday Michael!

We are currently on our way to Chamonix (in France) for a day in the mountains. Breakfast was bacon, eggs, baked beans, toast, cards and presents!

MK and the girls

On the bus to Lausanne while Mum and Dad were here.

Photo from Mum and Dad's visit

This is the Lavaux Express - the little train we caught in Lutry that took us up amongst the vineyards. We all really enjoyed it.

Work picnic photos

Including our au pair for the day, Sarah!

Today's update

I saw Stephanie this morning at school and she asked if her and her husband could look at the apartment tomorrow. Yes, so they're coming at 5pm. She sounds quite keen...

During baking class Rose told me that they were quoted Sf2500 to have their apartment cleaned after they moved out and in preparation for the final inspection. Rose did it herself, it took her a week and her husband rang her today to say they passed (the inspection was taking place at the same time as our class). Rose's kitchen is smaller than ours and her husband said the gerance (real estate people) spent 45 mins just inspecting that room. Unbelieveable.

Michael spoke with his boss today and told him his final date would be Friday October 27th.

I told Lily's teacher that her final day at school would be October 6th. This is the last day of school before the 2 week Autumn Break. She would only be back in school one week before we fly out so we decided it was too disruptive to do this. I'll ask Yasmine if Lily can come to garderie that week before we leave as I imagine we'll be doing all our packing and cleaning that week.

I'm a basketcase. Every conversation feels different now. There are no insignificant moments. It's all changed. Everything. I went to bed last night, started thinking about Lily and school, Charlotte, garderie, Yasmine (when I first took C into garderie after she was born Yasmine said repeatedly 'elle est belle, elle est belle, elle est belle') and started crying. I'm so emotional at the moment. I cried telling the teacher Lily's final day of school. It takes me nothing to get going. Will it be like this for the next two months? Or longer? Maybe once I've told everyone and we really start getting into the swing of the practicalities I won't be so emotional. I hope.

New school hours

As of this year the school hours for Ecole Enfantine are 8.30am - 11.30am and 1.45pm - 3.15pm. Apparently more in line with the primary school

A slight increase in time, which is a good thing. Means I have to be out the door by 8.20am or 8.25am, then drop Charlotte at garderie slightly earlier.

Lily goes 4 mornings and 4 afternoons a week. Every day except Wednesday. Same schedule as the end of last year. She is in the second year of ecole enfantine and is one of the big kids. She is very happy about this and quite proud. The new kids are only there in the mornings for the time being. And Lily is a big kid to one of the little kids. I wasn't aware of this buddy thing till the end of the last school year when she told us Tanguy was her big kid.

I asked her today if any of the new children were crying and she said yes, one was crying a bit today. She doesn't know his name but it's her little kid. She said the teacher looked after him. I don't think she quite knows what she's supposed to do as a big kid but we talked about what Tanguy did for her (not too much, helped her out a bit) so maybe it's more of a token role!

Pumpkins are back!

You can't buy pumpkin here all year round. Seasonal, I suppose. Anyway, at the beginning of the week whole pumpkins and slices of pumpkin turned up in Migros. I checked out the bagged vegies section as this is where you can get bags of cubed butternut pumpkin. Nope, not there.

But I looked again today and voila! So tonight we had roasted butternut pumpkin (small cubes so it breaks down a bit). Yum, good for soups and stews and other cold weather food. Although the sun has just returned after a mainly cold and rainy August.

Baking class today

This morning (9.30am) Monica and Rose were here for a baking lesson. We set this date about a month ago, after the last lesson. I had to pick what were going to bake as they were happy to do whatever.

So, we (I) made Cheese twists (first savoury item), Chocolate Mousse Cake and Rosemary Olive Oil bread. Once again I had a great time, busy but fun. I told them that we have a date (or approximate) for when we're leaving. Breaking more sad news...

At 11.25am I had to dash out to pick Lily up from school. When we returned, Monica said she and Rose would like to cook for me, and invited me to Monica's place for a Mexican breakfast and English dessert. I'm really touched...they know how much I love breakfast and whenever Monica talks about her Mexican cooking it always sounds delicious.

They were both keen to make a date for another baking lesson, and next Thursday we're all free so we went with that. The only request was from Monica for Pumpkin Muffins (comes from her son). I don't think I've made them before, but shouldn't be too hard to find a good recipe...