It has been a long, wet, unseasonably cool summer. We had the odd nice day here and there but there’s no denying that this was the summer that wasn’t. Yet here we are at the end of it and it feels like a bit of a rebirth is going on.
The clouds have finally cleared and the wild weather that wreaked havoc around here this summer ‘seems’ (I’m couching that one in every disclaimer possible) to be settling into something more stable.
It has been exactly one year since we arrived here in Central Switzerland and finally, like the weather, I am feeling settled too.
On my terrace, the lavender is making a bit of a comeback, like many of the plants that were so battered by the summer storms. The fields are all around us are beautifully green and groomed. I can hear the tinkle of sheep bells just above us and am looking forward to seeing our nosy neighbours again soon.
The swallows have returned and provide endless entertainment as they swoop around.
Our family is enjoying a bit of a renaissance, too. Today, we will be reunited with our daughter for the first time in more than a year. The vegan vet is flying here from the UK where she has been hard at work over the past year since graduating. And in a week’s time we will all meet at my son’s place on the other side of the ‘Rostigraben’, the cultural divide between German- and French-speaking Switzerland, along with my French father-in-law.
How many missed occasions will we be celebrating? Various birthdays, Christmas and the new year, unnamed holidays cancelled as flights shut down between the UK and Europe over the past year. Finally, we are all double-jabbed and ready to roll! There will be bubbles and a very nice cake, then a bit of a holiday here in Switzerland.
For now, I will be kicking back and enjoying the remains of summer as we begin our second year here. Maybe even get my paddle board out again. Fingers crossed we will sail into a lovely Indian summer.
How are things with you?
FranceSays 
It will be lovely for you having the chance to reunite the family after so long. I guess with the Covid regulations with the home isolating and the non-travel limitations your father in law must have been quite lonely for at lease the last 12 months. Then of course you had your big move to contend with as well as the Swiss Covid restrictions. So many occasions missed. You’ll really have to celebrate the reunion. Have a very Happy Time.
Massive Hugs
Thank you, dear David! My father-in-law had every reason to feel lonely but adapted beautifully. As soon as he was vaccinated it was back to his outings to the golf course with his cronies. We are very fortunate that his support network works from afar, along with regular calls from us! The hardest part for me has been not seeing my daughter for so long. You are right, there is so much to celebrate and who knows what the future holds? I will think of you when we raise a glass! Hugs hugs hugs xo
What a marvellously positive post. Unlike you, we’ve had a more mobile, family-finding summer, but we’re rather full of foreboding for a Covid-filled winter as our jabs wear off and variants march on.
I know what you mean. It’s easy to feel positive when the sun is shining and good times are in the offing. As for the future, well…we may win the war eventually but not without a few more battles I fear! Hope you can get a booster soon to renew some positivity!
So glad life will be returning to normal for you. -hugs-
Thanks Meeks! Not quite normal yet but feeling blessed. 💫
-hugs-
Fantastic! Give both kids a hug from me! Enjoy your family time. Love, Liz, Ken, Rebekah and Talia xo
Thanks Liz! 🥰🥳🙏
Enjoy your family time! I hope the beautiful weather holds for you.
Thanks! So far, so good. I can hardly believe it but it seems to be finally summer in September!
Already one year? Tabarouette! Where does the time go?
Do enjoy your family time! 🙂
Thanks Dale! I often ask myself that question. And I love the local lingo!
Sheesh….
And, well, better than outright cussing 😉
It certainly has been a dismal summer, but we have had good weather here for 10 days or so, unfortunately forecast to change again next week. Enjoy your family reunion. It will be wonderful to see them again.
Thanks! It’s certainly a funny time for the weather. We’ve been struggling to understand how much is the alpine influence and how much the strange season. So far our UK visitors have brought us good vibes and we seem to be enjoying a welcome late summer. Fingers crossed it continues for another week!
I love how you wrote. I feel like I’m there. Have so much fun with your family. We can’t make up for the lost times but we can sure try.