This is an Important Post that has slipped out of the chronological order of things... it was during February that Thomas accepted an offer from an oil company based in Oman, meaning we had some serious planning to do before the start date, which was due to be April 15.
Over the next few weeks we planned, researched, organised, and prepared ourselves to move to Oman. Initially I was a little hesitant until I discovered more about the place... everyone I spoke to who had lived or visited there raved about it. Oman has decided to preserve its history and use that as its tourist attraction, rather than the glitz and glamour of other countries in the Middle East, which appealed to both of us immensely.
However, once we had done all of this the company turned around to Thomas and mentioned that they had been doing some departmental reshuffling, so he would now be working out of Dubai. That really threw us both for six... Dubai?? I read about it and quickly came to the conclusion that it was a very superficial and therefore essentially an uninteresting place. Seriously, I read an article about a woman who had her hair botoxed. Ugh.
Since then, however, we have become really excited about the move and the opportunities Dubai has to offer. We have come to realise it is a place full of diversity, multiculturalism, excitement, and opportunities. And it's a direct flight to Perth and Paris, which is no small benefit! We've discovered that the desert is only a couple of hours' drive out of the city, which we're hoping to escape to when needed to get out of the commercialism of Downtown Dubai, and that with such an international community we are sure to find our niche.
Already I've made contact (through a Mum at the Cascais Mums and Tots) with someone from the Mums and Tots equivalent in Dubai, who has a daughter about Margaux's age and who has insisted I contact her when we arrive. Hooray!
More on this to follow, as I'm sure you can imagine...
Monday, 27 April 2015
Landwarming in Sarlat
The following weekend (Thursday March 20- Sunday 23) we took off Sarlat-bound, where we went for a brief sojourn to our property.
The weather was very kind to us and we had a lovely time exploring our land in spring-time. I love how each season brings a completely new spin on the place... this time the chestnut trees were pretty much bare of their leaves, and we had wild daffodils growing. Wild ones! I was so excited and so, so happy to see all of these perfect flowers growing so happily all by themselves. I'm sure they're harbingers of good fortune. :)
Thomas went to a meeting with the architect on Friday while Margaux and I pottered around the town, which was important for him and delightful for us. We spent a good chunk of Saturday at the markets, and thoroughly relaxed on Sunday. Perfect!
The weather was very kind to us and we had a lovely time exploring our land in spring-time. I love how each season brings a completely new spin on the place... this time the chestnut trees were pretty much bare of their leaves, and we had wild daffodils growing. Wild ones! I was so excited and so, so happy to see all of these perfect flowers growing so happily all by themselves. I'm sure they're harbingers of good fortune. :)
Thomas went to a meeting with the architect on Friday while Margaux and I pottered around the town, which was important for him and delightful for us. We spent a good chunk of Saturday at the markets, and thoroughly relaxed on Sunday. Perfect!
A weekend in Madrid!
Thomas, Margaux and I set off for a special fare-thee-well trip to Madrid, arriving at about midnight on Friday the 14th March and leaving on Sunday the 16th, ostensibly for Thomas to say goodbye to the friends he made while he was there. It was lovely for Margaux and I to be there as well; I had a great time seeing my teaching compatriate Rebecca Groesbeck and saying goodbye to various other friends I'd also made.
The above is a montage of photos donated by Rebecca... and here is a video link you might enjoy: https://www.magisto.com/video/PwAFMgAHSjowXxFgCzE
SATURDAY:
We had a lovely lunch on Saturday - including a rather potent gin and tonic (for me) at the Mercado de San Anton with Sandra, Maryline, Rebecca, and Naagla, followed by a delightful walk to the Parque el Retiro - making the most of the crisp but sunny weather there.
That night we had some quality family time at a wonderful restaurant just next to our accommodation... decent family time was something we hadn't done for quite a while, it seemed!
SUNDAY:
Sunday was another very social day - as of course it should have been, since we had only two days to cram in as many people as could to say goodbye to!
This time we went to Plaza Dos de Mayo, where we met up with Seb, Ditte and their two girls, and Rebecca again. We braved the chilly outdoors for a while, before conceding that inside the little restaurant we were dining from was a much better idea.
All this was going very well, with Thomas and I taking turns to entertain Margaux in the play area associated with the plaza... until Margaux, under my supervision, went down a slide on her tummy face-first (her usual way) and careered straight off the bottom onto the sand below. She must have bumped her chin as she hit the flat bit of the slide, because suddenly her mouth was flooded with blood and, understandably, she was crying uncontrollably.
Seb and Ditte kindly offered to host everyone back at their flat, which was just a short walk away, so that Margaux could have a snooze and we could all relax a bit... it was a wonderful idea that we took up immediately! Joining us at their place was Helene, a volleyball friend of Thomas', and Enrique, his former Spanish teacher. We all had a delightful afternoon, and we were quite satiated when we took the plane back that evening.
You'll be pleased to know that Margaux's bitten lip recovered relatively quickly, and that no teeth or any further damage was caused. And yes, she still goes down slides face-first...
The above is a montage of photos donated by Rebecca... and here is a video link you might enjoy: https://www.magisto.com/video/PwAFMgAHSjowXxFgCzE
SATURDAY:
We had a lovely lunch on Saturday - including a rather potent gin and tonic (for me) at the Mercado de San Anton with Sandra, Maryline, Rebecca, and Naagla, followed by a delightful walk to the Parque el Retiro - making the most of the crisp but sunny weather there.
That night we had some quality family time at a wonderful restaurant just next to our accommodation... decent family time was something we hadn't done for quite a while, it seemed!
SUNDAY:
This time we went to Plaza Dos de Mayo, where we met up with Seb, Ditte and their two girls, and Rebecca again. We braved the chilly outdoors for a while, before conceding that inside the little restaurant we were dining from was a much better idea.
All this was going very well, with Thomas and I taking turns to entertain Margaux in the play area associated with the plaza... until Margaux, under my supervision, went down a slide on her tummy face-first (her usual way) and careered straight off the bottom onto the sand below. She must have bumped her chin as she hit the flat bit of the slide, because suddenly her mouth was flooded with blood and, understandably, she was crying uncontrollably.
Seb and Ditte kindly offered to host everyone back at their flat, which was just a short walk away, so that Margaux could have a snooze and we could all relax a bit... it was a wonderful idea that we took up immediately! Joining us at their place was Helene, a volleyball friend of Thomas', and Enrique, his former Spanish teacher. We all had a delightful afternoon, and we were quite satiated when we took the plane back that evening.
You'll be pleased to know that Margaux's bitten lip recovered relatively quickly, and that no teeth or any further damage was caused. And yes, she still goes down slides face-first...
Sunday, 26 April 2015
Our ideal weekend...
Thomas and I developed a very indulgent weekend routine, whereby we would eat a buffet lunch on Sunday at a rather gorgeous hotel (Farol) in Cascais overlooking a stunning part of the river, followed by a casual walk home.
I don't have any pics of the breakfast, but I made a video of one afternoon in the park on the way back. I, being a bit of a daft monkey at times, labelled it as Our Perfect Saturday, but you get the idea:
https://www.magisto.com/video/IVQYOAgKCDI9AQBpYw
I hope you like it!
I don't have any pics of the breakfast, but I made a video of one afternoon in the park on the way back. I, being a bit of a daft monkey at times, labelled it as Our Perfect Saturday, but you get the idea:
https://www.magisto.com/video/IVQYOAgKCDI9AQBpYw
I hope you like it!
Tuesday, 21 April 2015
A visit from Mammy and Pappy! Ten days in one post...
For 10 days in February Jean-Paul and Rita came to visit us... well, when I say 'us' I mean Margaux. And Thomas and me. I think this must be the same for grandparents the world over, though!
Hopefully this link will work... in lieu of photos I will try to insert some mini films I made of some special times together:
https://www.magisto.com/video/MQdAZAIMRTZrRBBpYw
The timing of it was dreadful, however. Thomas was shipped off to Reading, England for three days for work purposes - all organised after his parents had booked their tickets, of course. We three got by with our various levels of English/ French and the aid of a good dictionary!
On the whole, the grandparentals and I divided our time with Margaux. We went for some lovely exploring walks together around Cascais, making the most of the crisp but sunny weather. They were very happy to be left with Margaux for a few hours each day - and Margaux and I were pretty happy with the arrangement, too!
LISBON
Before he left, however, we all spent a glorious day in Lisbon - travelling via the comboio (the above-ground train that runs between Lisbon and Cascais) of course! The sun was shining, the seagulls were circling, the river was glistening... Bliss. Margaux loved every minute of it, or so it seemed... enjoying all of the sights, sounds, and smells to quench her curiosity; being pushed around (in her pram!), fed, and entertained by her grandparents; having lunch together in a cute café... what's not to love?!
OBIDOS
In our time together without Thomas, we all enjoyed one lovely day at Obidos, a Medival walled city about an hour's drive from Cascais. It was such fun exploring all of the little alleys within the city. After lunch in a tucked away little restaurant we split ways: Rita and Margaux went shopping while Jean-Paul and I headed off to explore the perimeter. (Oh, if only I had the photos to show you!) Jean-Paul and I took some rather precarious routes to walk along the wall itself - as high as it could go for as long as it was possible, which afforded some spectacular views but was a little bit hair-raising at times!
We adults indulged in shot-sized chocolate cups filled with traditional Portuguese cherry liqueur (Ginja), for which Obdios is famed. I think Jean-Paul and Rita enjoyed the experience...
(I do apologise for this entire week of fun being crammed into one post, but that's the way it's going to have to be if I'm ever going to catch up!)
SOME SPECIAL FAMILY MEALS
On one of their last nights in Cascais I had dinner at Kari's and left the French contingent to have a night together with Margaux. Apparently it all went very well.
And for their last night, Jean-Paul and Rita - with my help for the practical arrangements - treated us to a sumptuous dinner at Hemingway's Restaurant. Oh my... the food there really is second to none. Margaux slept for a good portion of it (bliss!) but by the time dessert came she was awake and demanding attention. The lovely staff there let us take our desserts home - giving them to us on the restaurant plates! Never fear; we returned them a couple of days later. :) It was a delightful dinner full of fond memories.
And all too soon it was time to say goodbye. The morning of their afternoon departure saw us enjoying breakfast at their hotel, followed by a lovely walk up to the Boca do Inferno and back. We knew it would only be a couple of short months before we would see them again in Lille, so it was a very temporary farewell...
Hopefully this link will work... in lieu of photos I will try to insert some mini films I made of some special times together:
https://www.magisto.com/video/MQdAZAIMRTZrRBBpYw
The timing of it was dreadful, however. Thomas was shipped off to Reading, England for three days for work purposes - all organised after his parents had booked their tickets, of course. We three got by with our various levels of English/ French and the aid of a good dictionary!
On the whole, the grandparentals and I divided our time with Margaux. We went for some lovely exploring walks together around Cascais, making the most of the crisp but sunny weather. They were very happy to be left with Margaux for a few hours each day - and Margaux and I were pretty happy with the arrangement, too!
LISBON
Before he left, however, we all spent a glorious day in Lisbon - travelling via the comboio (the above-ground train that runs between Lisbon and Cascais) of course! The sun was shining, the seagulls were circling, the river was glistening... Bliss. Margaux loved every minute of it, or so it seemed... enjoying all of the sights, sounds, and smells to quench her curiosity; being pushed around (in her pram!), fed, and entertained by her grandparents; having lunch together in a cute café... what's not to love?!
OBIDOS
In our time together without Thomas, we all enjoyed one lovely day at Obidos, a Medival walled city about an hour's drive from Cascais. It was such fun exploring all of the little alleys within the city. After lunch in a tucked away little restaurant we split ways: Rita and Margaux went shopping while Jean-Paul and I headed off to explore the perimeter. (Oh, if only I had the photos to show you!) Jean-Paul and I took some rather precarious routes to walk along the wall itself - as high as it could go for as long as it was possible, which afforded some spectacular views but was a little bit hair-raising at times!
We adults indulged in shot-sized chocolate cups filled with traditional Portuguese cherry liqueur (Ginja), for which Obdios is famed. I think Jean-Paul and Rita enjoyed the experience...
(I do apologise for this entire week of fun being crammed into one post, but that's the way it's going to have to be if I'm ever going to catch up!)
SOME SPECIAL FAMILY MEALS
On one of their last nights in Cascais I had dinner at Kari's and left the French contingent to have a night together with Margaux. Apparently it all went very well.
And for their last night, Jean-Paul and Rita - with my help for the practical arrangements - treated us to a sumptuous dinner at Hemingway's Restaurant. Oh my... the food there really is second to none. Margaux slept for a good portion of it (bliss!) but by the time dessert came she was awake and demanding attention. The lovely staff there let us take our desserts home - giving them to us on the restaurant plates! Never fear; we returned them a couple of days later. :) It was a delightful dinner full of fond memories.
And all too soon it was time to say goodbye. The morning of their afternoon departure saw us enjoying breakfast at their hotel, followed by a lovely walk up to the Boca do Inferno and back. We knew it would only be a couple of short months before we would see them again in Lille, so it was a very temporary farewell...
Saturday, 4 April 2015
Woah... a Massive catch-up is due!
Well. Through a combination of busy-ness, (slight?) procrastination, and having our computers and other electronic equipment nicked, I've managed to let 5 weeks slide by. Oops.
So much has happened! And having all of my stuff taken means that all of my photos - that I'd been diligently uploading from my phone to my computer in case I broke/ lost the phone - were wiped.
We finished our week of skiing with the Charlessons, with me having completed my private aim... to ski down a slope by myself. Hooray!!
We then had a week to wind down before Thomas' parents arrived for 10 days...
So much has happened! And having all of my stuff taken means that all of my photos - that I'd been diligently uploading from my phone to my computer in case I broke/ lost the phone - were wiped.
We finished our week of skiing with the Charlessons, with me having completed my private aim... to ski down a slope by myself. Hooray!!
We then had a week to wind down before Thomas' parents arrived for 10 days...
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