I'm back now.... Sorry to have been so long!

Yes I've been somewhat remiss again (sorrrry) about keeping up with the blog. But I'm going to plead insanity - no no no...I didn't mean THAT! I meant 'inability' (but then again maybe I was right the first time hahahaha). I've just been unable to find a minute to myself this last month. The time has literally flown by. In fact the seemingly 'distant' visit of No.1 Son and Lynsey (his lady) is already here and nearly - but not quite - over.

The research for 'Naughty Nina' is finally producing results - I've at last found where - and when - she died! The latest episode of the 'saga' will be written shortly; I'm still waiting for a copy of her death certificate (God Bless the British Post Office and it's strike....). In addition my partnership genealogy site "Gente di Mare" is growing. The membership is increasing slowly, but the 'visits/views' are very encouraging. In the 4 months since we launched we've had nearly 180,000 views - and October was our record month at over 50K. Then the translation side of my time is slowly growing and will - I'm sure grow even more when my new all singing, all dancing "Alpine Settler Journal" website is completed - this will be hosted by http://www.gentedimaregenealogy.com/index.php
I'm really looking forward to that as it will encompass my various hobbies and pastimes together under one roof. I'm not rushing though - I want the site to be pleasant and welcoming to anyone who pays me the wonderful compliment of spending their own precious time reading about my mundane life and interests..... so while I 'm on that subject let me just say

"Thank you - your company here with me IS appreciated, and it goes a long way to ensuring that terminal loneliness will never find a seat at my table!".

Well it's now Monday morning....
'The visit' is done and dusted and the 'children' (bless 'em) departed yesterday evening. I didn't cry when I said goodbye , well not until their car was out of sight.... I know I often speak to them on Skype , but that is never going to be the same as us sitting down to a meal together or watching a particular programme together. This time I asked them to bring over the DVD of 'The Queen' and it was nice to have some company to watch it with. THAT is one (seemingly silly) thing that I do miss.....being able to comment on a programme/film in English and so stimulate some discussion. I wonder if other expatriates understand what I'm trying to say.

I don't envy Sergio at all this week - he will have got home last night (this morning) about 12.30am, and at 10am today he flies to Amsterdam - returning later in the evening. Then a whole day back in the office, before leaving again - this time for meetings in Washington DC and then New York. All being well he'll get home on Sunday morning... He also told me that he is going to double up business with a bit of pleasure on his first trip to Japan after Christmas. He will take Lynsey with him and visit (between the ever present meetings) Tokyo, Osaka and hopefully Kyoto too. They will be spending New Year over there too. What a wonderful experience that will be - I must confess to a little touch of envy here. I have always wished I could have visited Japan - not modern Japan, but the rural areas where some of the 'old ways' still survive.

I suppose it's a bit like many of us who are now 'living abroad' - many of us have chosen to live an idyllic rural life - away from the rat race we lived in before! No - for me the quiet life of an Alpine Settler still has it's attractions and I don't think that will ever change!

posted by Carole B @ 11:39 AM