Time To Say Goodbye

I have spent the last month since England making my way around the south of France, exploring villages, cities, castles, cathedrals, and markets, from Provence, to Aquitaine, to Burgundy. It has been a great experience, and I have had my French tested many times, but that was my favourite part - when people didn't speak any English and had never heard of New Zealand (we managed to hear Royals by Lorde countless of times nonetheless). I've noticed the major differences in culture and architecture as we slowly made our way from south east France, west, and then north. Some of which I would never have expected as French and was totally surprising, but fascinating in opening my eyes to the reality of a France that is so different from Paris.

Markets for miles in Provence

Breathtaking views of clifftop villages with derelict castles in the Provençal mountains

Losing ourselves in the narrow cobbled Medieval streets of Aquitaine

Daydreaming at castles in the Loire Valley

Feeling like a queen in my massive 19th century Paris hotel room

I'm sitting here in my Paris hotel room, after spending the last couple of days walking non-stop and then going to a service at the Notre Dame this morning, looking back over the last 3 months and wondering where the time went. I am so exhausted that I can't wait to get home, and yet it has all been so incredible that I don't want to leave (the 30-something hours of flying is daunting, too).  







It was strange wandering through the familiar streets of Paris again this weekend after being away for a couple of months. It has made me appreciate the changes in the seasons; seeing new flowers growing where there were once autumn leaves piled high, a huge influx of tourists in places that had seemed deserted... I much preferred our time in November, but my love for this place has remained. I have never felt so blessed in my life for the past 3 amazing months exploring places I have always dreamed about. This time itself now seems like a dream, and it has only inspired me to dream bigger and further. Watch out, Europe. I'll be back.

Goodbye Paris, and goodbye France. Thank you for the incredible times and the wonderful memories. I can't wait to be back.

Thanks for the memories, England

What an amazing time I've spent in England. I started in London, went north to the Cotswolds, south back to London, then south-er to Brighton, north to Yorkshire, south to Windsor, and west to Bath, before finishing the crazy 4 weeks in Windsor (with the Queen).

My camera died, my laptop keeps freezing, I lost my voice, and I haven't had a solid sleep in a very long time, but it has been awesome.

Taking over the band at The Perseverance

After Christmas in Yorkshire we came back to Windsor to bring in 2014. We spent the evening at the pub playing trivial pursuits, singing Auld Lang Syne while holding crossed hands, and the family joined in playing and singing with the live band. It was a nice, chilled night. New Years Day was spent watching a football game in torrential weather. Pretty British few days I think.

Fulham vs. Westham

Windsor Castle

Mum, Mel and I explored Windsor Castle after Dad and Ali had gone to Belfast. It was a great time to go as we got to see the rooms that the Queen still uses to entertain today, which are usually shut off to the public. Her flag was flying from the turrets, and her guards were marching around the grounds. All very exciting.

At Bridge Cottage in Bradford-on-Avon

Mel, Cryssie, Mum and I then set off on a girls' roadtrip across to Bradford-on-Avon, a cute little town next to Bath. On the way we stopped off at Lacock, a National Trust Village, which was absolutely gorgeous, although a little run down. When we walked into our cottage at Bradford-on-Avon we were wrapped with how adorable it was, and were stoked with the free cupcakes and bubbly. After about half an hour though, having everything covered with Cath Kidston flowers made us quite dizzy; we counted 9 different flower or animal patterns in one bedroom alone. Everything possible was Cath Kidston, including the wallpaper.

We spent the next day in Bath, which was so awesome! The architecture was divine, particularly the Royal Crescent and the Circus.

The Circus

The Royal Crescent

We also had high tea at the Jane Austen museum before doing the small tour. It was lots of fun dressing up at the end of the museum tour, but I'm definitely glad I can wear what I do now!

Lady Mawhinney and her three eligible daughters

The view over Bradford-on-Avon

We did a huge walk around Bradford-on-Avon, past the swollen river, up the hill via steep steps, to witness a gorgeous view of the town. We went shopping and found a shop called Piha after the beach in NZ! How funny.

The cricket ground

It's our last night tonight, and we're all having dinner together after a day doing last minute errands. The local village is quite flooded and there are many closed roads. The cricket ground is now the cricket lake, and we're just glad that Mel's apartment is three flights up!





Tomorrow we will return to France, and I have mixed feelings. I'm so exhausted that part of me would love it if the flight I boarded tomorrow would land me back in my bed in Palmy. But on the other hand, I'm so excited to see another part of the country and culture that I have been studying and obsessing about for years. I feel like I have forgotten all my French, but everyone keeps assuring me it will come back. I hope so. Speaking English has made this part of the journey a lot less stressful than where we go to next, but the challenge has been accepted and I can't wait to fulfill it, even with little voice and a cold.

Thank you England and my family for the great time and memories that we spent together. Can't wait to see you again in August. xxxxxx