The eye of the storm

As I write this I am surrounded by piles of our kit - more or less organised into carry, air, and ship. Today we lose our internet connection so we wanted to post a short blog about before we depart.

We have spent the most amazing 8 days in France by way of saying "goodbye" to Europe. We will of course blog in detail when we are settled back in Melbourne. Most of our time was spent in a gorgeous country house in the Loire Valley. We were surrounded by sunflowers and wheat fields - made all the more poignant as the harvest was in full swing. James was thrilled by all the combine harvesters and we just had to stop and watch them. We visited some stunning Chateaux such as Chenonceau and d'Ussé. We even spent a day in Paris that included the Eiffel Tower, Champs-Élysées, and Sainte-Chapelle. Our house had a pool that we all enjoyed as the weather was wonderfully warm and clear. In between we stayed at a few hotels right on the beach at Brittany. Here are some photos here.

Since returning we have been focused on packing. Both Merrilyn and I now feel that our attention is on Melbourne. As we pack we progressively transform our home more into a house. Last night we drove to the Great Park to enjoy a picnic in amongst the oaks as the sun set. James rode his bike and we talked of our first impressions of this wonderful place when we first arrived. I have to return the car tomorrow so we hope to visit the copper horse tonight given the chance.

We're about to head into Windsor for lunch. We depart on Saturday with a day stop-over in Singapore. James is looking forward to the hotel pool! It may be a few weeks before we're back "on the air". It will certainly be strange for a while. But one thing is certain - we will face the future together as a family.

Last Day at Pre-School

Today was James' last day at Little Rainbows, Windsor. I can't believe he has finished after a year and a half there and neither can any of his teachers! Tissues were being handed out at the door as I arrived at the school at 11.30 to see the children being presented with their Leaving Certificates. James was first and had everyone crying. He thought it was very funny! It was so touching to see the teachers so emotional about these children - they really care for them and are so proud to see them grow and move on. James was presented with a backpack for his journey back to Australia, his rainbow name magnet, his Busy Book and a certificate. There were about 10 children leaving today, the last day of the school year, most to go to Queen Anne First School. I am sad that James won't being starting school with his friends Frances, Flora, Tom, Ted, Ben, Alfie, Joe, Abi, Matthew and especially Ciara but he is excited about his 'new' school. He and I have just loved being part of the Little Rainbows family and Martin and I will always be thankful that James has had this brilliant start in life.

Oxford

Today we visited Oxford. We had good intentions of walking the city and taking in some of the many colleges that form the Oxford University. As usual with most large cities here in England we jumped the Park & Ride bus into the city centre. We came to the Radcliffe Camera and Bodleian Library and toured inside the Divinity School, where the first exams in Oxford were held. James was once again entertained by the audio guide!

A little while ago I heard that Lovely Jubbly Jamie Oliver was opening a cafe/bistro here in Oxford so it was absolutely on my list of things to do. Thoughts of a historical tour of Oxford disappeared and it became a culinary experience instead! The cafe, named Jamie's Italian, has only been open for a fortnight and already the atmosphere and entire package is fabulous - and we scored a table as the lunchtime crowd poured in the door. The food was amazing as one would expect - the freshest produce and pasta and bread and oils - I ate sooo much! James polished off the olives and bread, oil & balsamic. Marty and I wrestled a bottle of Chianti but I have to say every single mouthful was just perfect. Unfortunately there was no room for pudding :( The highlight of our visit was spotting Jamie's friend and mentor, Gennaro Contaldo in the kitchen. I introduced myself and he really took to James (who was too busy to talk with a plateful of olives!) I told Gennaro that James' favourite food was olives so out came a little dish just for him! He was chuffed! I bought Gennaro's book 'An Italian Year' as he signed it for me. It was such a thrill to meet the master of Italian cooking! I couldn't wipe the smile off my face!

Reluctantly we left Jamie's and strolled down towards the bridge where we picked up the canal path.There were many canal bots much to the boys' delight! James proclaimed that most looked like our Welsh boat,Lucy. It was so lovely and cool walking along there past the permanently moored boats with their bright colours and flowering rooftop gardens. We crossed Oxford through parkland to the River Thames. Martin and I both remarked on James' seemingly boundless energy! He was happy though to see the car eventually and was asleep within a few minutes of the return journey home.

Photos are here.

Turning off the lights

Today was my last day of work. I've been with the company for most of the past 15 years so it was a strange feeling indeed. I spent this morning with the team looking at the last engagement to understand what went well and what can improve for next time. Talking about the next challenges gave me a bit of a twinge.

I then enjoyed lunch in Windsor with some senior telco folk from Cell Telecom - a company we've recently acquired. Then back to the office for a strategy session. Another opportunity to feel that twinge. And tonight, as I "cleared out my desk" so to speak, I was the last one out of the office - and I literally had to turn off the lights...

Right now it's hard to see past the sadness of leaving friends and life here in the UK. Of course, some of that is driven by the comfort of familiarity. We now focus on the remaining logistics before we set of for our holiday in France.

Before we know it we'll be boarding that plane back to Australia...

Celebrating at fifteen

To celebrate the end of a successful consulting engagement we headed to Jamie Oliver's Fifteen restaurant in London for a late lunch. Merrilyn and I had eaten here when we first arrived and the experience this time was similarly fantastic. We all enjoyed four courses of delicious Italian inspired food. Not only were the staff incredibly enthusiastic, the young chefs were clearly passionate about their dishes. The ingredients were amazing - the tastes superb. We moved from the dining room to the upstairs Trattoria for coffee. With the staff now preparing for the evening sitting we were enveloped by smells emanating from the open kitchen right in front of us. Before long we were getting stuck into Antipasti (more a case of "want" rather than "need"!) and Chianti. A great night! If you get the chance - make sure you visit Fifteen.

Entering the exit lounge

Friday was my last day working on the BT engagement. It was a long day - working with the team to pull together the findings and wrap things up. At the end I was left with a bitter/sweet feeling. I have enjoyed the challenging client and working with a focused group of people. I now turn my attention to sorting out the many things that need doing moving the family back to Australia. I have a few meetings over the next week and many farewell lunches/dinners/drinks. I now feel we are on the way back home.