Holidays during Ramadan Part 2: A French Sojourn: Hardelot (part 1)

It was a mere two days that Margaux and I were in Dubai before we jetted off to our next destination: France! To be honest, it wasn't quite enough time to spend with Thomas - and I hardly had the time to do all of the unpacking, washing, and re-packing (we were going from a winter to a summer destination after all) before we were airport bound again. Getting over jet-lag was never going to happen!

This time my intrepid companion and I flew for 7 hours to Paris and from there spent three hours in the Charles de Gaulle airport waiting for a Very delayed train. All things considering, Margaux was a wonderful little travel buddy.

Scholastie and Hippolyte met us at the train station and took us to the D'Herlincourt family's gorgeous holiday home in the seaside town of Hardelot - a couple of hours' drive from Roncq and very close to Calais. In fact, on a clear day you can see England if you squint.

I didn't realise until this holiday what a boon it was for Margaux to be brought up bilingually. She could be completely involved in the games and activities with her cousins, and understand me in English. It was quite astonishing to witness, because previously we've been with Thomas who has acted as our go-between if needed. This time we were left to fend for ourselves... I felt thoroughly inadequate at times because Hippolyte or Josephine would speak to me in French and I wouldn't be able to fluently respond, however Marie or Scholastie were able to intervene when needed.

I was delighted to be able to share my pregnancy with them, and I even got the green light from Thomas to share the fact I was expecting twins. It was such a relief to be able to openly discuss it! (Of course when we all had dinner with Jean-Paul and Rita at the end of the holiday we had to hide our privileged information...)

The beach was a daily - if not twice daily! - highlight of the trip. Marie and Scholastie gave me some down-time every day of the 10 days we were there to have an afternoon nap (I was quite tired from the pregnancy) and prepare some dinner while they took Maggie with their kids to the beach. Again, it was so great that they could speak to her in French and she completely understood what they said.

Photos are good but movies are better... here's something to hopefully give you a better feel for how much Margaux enjoyed her time at the beach: Hardelot Beach, August 2015

The cousins were all that much older than when we'd last seen them (for Margaux's 1st birthday, about 6 months before) and they were really starting to enjoy - or get annoyed by, from Hippolyte's point of view! - each other.

There was more fun to be had than just the confines of the house, the beach, and the ice-cream shop - we had some exploring to do!

Holidays during Ramadan part 1: Australia: The Wonky Warming and Farewell

The Wonky Warming was held on the last Saturday I was there. The farm house was filled with a wonderful cheery ambiance on what was a bit of a chilly night. We had an obligatory BBQ, mulled wine, a roaring bonfire, and an impromptu (but thoroughly expected) open mic towards the end. The Wonky House was in fine shape and we all squished ourselves in for a slideshow presentation of go-to-woe. Thomas was given a special shout-out in absentia since it was his plan to build a straw-bale house that prompted the building of the Wonky House.

The warming was celebrated by all and sundry who had helped in the house's construction... see this post for specifics!

Andy was on crepe-making duties the following morning - much to everyone's delight - and after a very hearty breakfast we all headed homewards. It was a perfect way to celebrate such a community effort.

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The last few days at home passed far too quickly although I did confuse my flight home (I thought I was leaving on Sunday when in fact it was Monday) so surprised myself with 24 extra hours, which was thoroughly delightful.

Mum and Dad accompanied Margaux and me as far as possible in the airport, which was greatly appreciated... travelling with an infant requires all sorts of luggage and paraphernalia (like the pram) that make it difficult to do while going solo!

Our flight back to Dubai was fairly lengthy (11 hours) but at least this time it was a night flight so we both slept a bit. We were SOOO happy to be back with Thomas. I wasn't sure how Margaux would go - whether she would be a bit reticent to see him after such a long time apart - but she gripped onto him like a limpet, which was gorgeous.

Holidays during Ramadan part 1: Australia: Four days of FREEDOM!

In the middle of our holiday to Australia I spent four days in Melbourne without Margaux. Four Days Without A Dependent!! Oh, it was bliss. I didn't call Mum and Dad once.

Nick and Jess were consummate hosts - from collecting me at the airport (where I was delighted to surprise them with the news of my pregnancy), to introducing me to some of Melbourne's best nooks and crannies, to morning coffee in their gorgeous backyard, to wandering around an indoor market, to an evening at the footy! They also gave me excellent suggestions of places to check out while they were at work.

I don't mean to be inanely repetitive, but the joy and freedom I felt by being able to get around unencumbered by a pram and an 18-month-old was truly wonderful. Suddenly small boutiques, shops with ornaments or potentially breakable items on display, trams, cafes, and general aimless meandering on my part became accessible options. Don't get me wrong - Margaux was significantly on my mind; I was just enjoying some 'me' time.

I had a delightful catch-up with my cousin Alison and her son Levi at a quaint little cafe just around the corner from Jess and Nick's place. It was so lovely to spend some quality time with her, especially as she wasn't able to attend the upcoming brunch we had planned.

(Top: Alison and Levi; Bottom: watching the Eagles defeat the Magpies; rugged up in winter woollies with Nick and Jess eating hot chips while watching the game - perfect!)

The above-mentioned brunch was held at Aunt Jane and Uncle Maurice's place in rural Victoria. There was a lovely group of one aunt, one uncle, seven cousins, and four niblings (apparently it's the collective noun for nieces and nephews, not a snack). What started as brunch turned into a day-long celebration of family, which was absolutely perfect. Of course I couldn't tell them about my pregnancy, even though I was dying to share the news!

After an uneventful flight home that evening I was more than ready to give my little Poppette a cuddle.

It turns out she had had an absolute blast with her Aussie grandparents... check out the photos from this post back for proof! Thankfully she was very happy to see me, too.