2024-- another year.

May 2024.

Well, its a big different year for us this year.

We skied for what we thought was our last time- touring Anncey, Chamonix, Cervinina and Champoluc over 3 weeks in March-- but as everyone knows- plans are made to be changed -- and we have decided that if the weather is right- then skiing is still fun. More to the point - we are still quite skilled at it...(plus we couldn't bear to part with all our gear !!!!)  

At our age- getting a drink is always a bonus BUT having to get on a swing to drink it -- not such a good idea,

Birthday hot-chocolate with Steph.  Love the choice of Gins!!!!!!!

But moving on ..

Max spent December in NZ with family and friends, and I suppose making a start in our psycological change-over from living in Chichester to our return to live in NZ.   We have really enjoyed Chichester and all we have done but life moves on.

We  have finally decided after 13years 😀😀😀 to return to live in NZ.  Of course the current plan is to live at Gulf Harbour ( for the first time- north of the divide......) during the NZ summer months and to spend the winter months back in the European summer.  

Not only have I deceided that at 66-- maybe its time to retire, but we are also going to be grandparents of a little kiwi/canadian baby very soon so 2 very good reasons to return.  So planned date of return is the end of September..

Since the begining of the year we have been looking at packing up the flat and shipping our belongings home. Considering we arrived a few suitcases, to have colleceted all this STUFF seems ludicrous.  Still if it all fell of the container ship- we doubt we would be heart broken... 

So, after Max had spent the last few weeks living on one chair, surrounded by boxes --

We set off for the boat mid April= earlier than maybe many times before.   The weather has been horrible- cold , wet, windy, and did we say cold??  Did we say wet???

Jeans, heating on and hot water bottles to bed ( Well me anyway.) socks, fleeces, big fluffy duvet.etc etc.

All the happy campers going for a nice week in the South of France, on The Canal du  Midi-- NOT  

Just a bit of flooding.😏.. Only thing that kept us sound of mind and body was Aileen and Grahame- who deceided to come from NZ early this year and luckily are moored up right next to us-- again not expecting the cooler weather- but electric heaters abound- we met most nights for a competative game of 5 Crowns and a wee bit to drink...

Eventually the weather cleared, Max had the engine inspected and the black water tank pump changed (yes, I know-- AGAIN)  and we were ready to set off.

All canvas and glass down - hopefully for the last time as we head back down The Midi towards Agde where we will get Kiwi Rose lifted for anti-fouling and a polish.

The bridge that is low=!! and the parade of the town mayor- celebrating the end of WW11

We have arrived in Agde, at Allemand boat yard- the med in the background and actually some blue sky warmish weather.  And now the hard work starts...........

So our plans for this year are vague- but Kiwi Rose has just spent her 5th winter in Beziers, ( Covid withstanding) but its now time for a change. We have enjoyed the warmth of the south and plan to stay down here for a few more seasons- but move to Aigues-Morte for with long term mooring.

We have to go back to Chichester for the first week of June, to organise the shippers to pick up all our stuff-and settle the flat for renting which hopefully is confirmed,

Lucy flies out to NZ for 3 weeks to be with Emma and Jesse, while Max will be socializing a bit and looking after himself in Aigues-Morte-- Little do our friends there knowthat Max will be on the loose...........hahaha

So until after an NZ trip......        💕

Couldn't resist this photo=== fashion doesn't escape any sport..... It is not the wind- this jacket was seriously puffed...

  And Max's new grandpuppy-- POPPY