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thoughts and dreams

Dogs lifestyle thoughts and dreams

How to survive living in the South of France

May 19, 2023

Having spent a year in the South of France, there’s certain things I’ve noticed…

There’s a lot of mosquitoes. And bugs and worms longer than a meter, and snakes, and frogs that insist on coming into the house. But there’s also beautiful families of deer that graze in the field across from the house, and even wild boar that sprint across the countryside.

Hardly anyone speaks English. I guess this is a France thing in general, so I was forced to pull out the dusty high school French, and learned to gesture almost as much as everyone here to get my point across (there’s google translate, for emergencies). However, everyone is patient with my painfully slow speaking, and most people here are friendly, anyway.

Almost every town is cute and will make you want to buy a house there. No joke, each town is cuter than the next, with views that make you want to give up everything and spend the rest of your life right there.

You need to carry a stick at all times. There are feral dogs in almost every town. I’m warning you.

You’ll get burnt/ leave several shades darker. It really is sunny and warm most of the year. There are some cold days and nights though, and when it rains, it pours, but mostly, it’s Summer time.

You’ll get to know people fast. Everyone knows me now, probably as the strange foreign person, but still. And even the cats are our friends (Spud and Celery, I’m talking to you).

You’ll need a car to explore. There’s not much connectivity here, but the surrounding towns and villages and countryside are full of beauty and just need to be explored. From the Mountain views in winter to the fields of sunflowers in summer, and the cute villages of cottages and crumbling churches.

You won’t want to leave. Hotel California has nothing on this place.

Thanks to Maya and Mum for the beautiful photos

Dogs thoughts and dreams

If there’s one thing I’ve learned

May 23, 2022

I don’t know about you, but it feels like lately fatigue is real. It’s like the past two years have drained you emotionally, and there’s not much left… and then more stuff comes along, like it always has and always will, and you’re just kind of left feeling completely exhausted. And then there’s the fact that it feels like time is passing fast, and yet, and yet… what have I done?

I always try to make my writing here super upbeat and positive, so this post will probably feel a bit different. But still… I don’t want to dwell on the ‘meh’ for too long, because ‘it is what it is’. If we don’t try at least to enjoy the small moments, and be thankful for what we have, then there’s not a lot left. So, taking inspiration from Suzi, who is almost always upbeat, other than early mornings (because really, why do mornings come so fast), let me try to put into words the GOOD, instead of the bad and sad.

Let’s start with the fact that the days are longer, there’s a lot of sunshine, it’s a dry spring, the blackbirds are singing. And I can sit in the garden for hours and enjoy all that, with Suzi. That’s something, right? And we have a big house and garden and space and miles of water and greenery all around. That’s something too, right?

And then there’s all the adventures I’ve had. When I’m missing those things, I should stop and think of them. I’ve seen a pride of lions and herds of elephants in the Tanzanian savannah, ridden a long-tail boat to a paradise Thai island, travelled in a sleeper train in India, traveled across the African hinterland, from Mozambique to Zimbabwe. I’ve surfed the waves in Portugal, discovered hidden beaches in Corfu, swam with wild dolphins through bright blue ocean in Mauritius. I’ve seen the world’s tallest building in Dubai, and one of the world’s oldest, in Rome. I’ve stumbled across the most beautiful abandoned French castles, watched the sun rise over the ocean in The Bahamas, skied in the Alps, slid down a waterfall in the Malaysian jungle, spotted puffins and seals in Scotland.

That’s quite a lot, right? And there’s so many more. And I’m lucky to have a sister to do most of these things with, and a crazy dog who is game for a hell of a lot too. And so many, many memories of another one, who I miss everyday. And on that note… no amount of time will ever be enough with them, or anyone you love. And if there’s one thing I know I’ve learned, it’s that.

The amount of time you’ve got here is limited, and you can only do what you can do. I know I’ll often feel I should have done more, and that I will often feel down when it all feels too much. When that happens, I promise I’ll come back here, and re read this. And remind myself that we all have bad days, bad months, years, decades. But in between, there’s some real good stuff, too. And a few people and a couple of sweet dogs, too. Thanks y’all xxx

Dogs Holland thoughts and dreams

A year of Bru

April 3, 2021

I really can’t believe that its been a year since lockdowns, social distancing and mask-wearing became the norm. A year since I started Bru Diaries, a way to share with everyone what was going on here, since there was nowhere else to go. And this is probably the longest I’ve ever been in one place, I’ve barely left Bruinisse, leave alone Zeeland! Somehow though, the days go by, and luckily I’ve come to enjoy the small things, and the moments with Prune and Suzi that I’m sure I’ll look back on one day and be grateful for. Continue Reading

Dogs lifestyle thoughts and dreams

What I’ve learned

January 14, 2021

So I turn 25 in about a week, and it feels like it was so recently my 24th birthday. Where did this year go?  I don’t feel that I really accomplished as much as I did in previous years, but I did get to spend a LOT of time with the hounds and the family, which is precious. And, I had a lot more time to think, and reflect, on well, just about everything. Continue Reading

thoughts and dreams

Do you remember?

September 23, 2020

I realized I last wrote a post for you three years ago, for your birthday. When I had just started off in Aberdeen, and you were back in Norfolk, our first time really living apart. I don’t know about you but I took it hard, I struggled with the distance and ‘losing’ my best friend. I had to make my own decisions, be my own company, go it alone. I found that hard, and I still often do. But this isn’t about me, it’s about you, and what I hope you’ll remember. Continue Reading

thoughts and dreams

Things this time has taught me

July 16, 2020

Before I say anything else, I just want to say, I hope you are managing, with whatever your situation is. I know this will be very different for everyone. I just wanted to share how I have coped with the uncertainty and the difficult times, and hope that some ideas may be things you could try too, if you want and are able to.

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Holland thoughts and dreams

Beyond Bergen

February 10, 2020

It is kind of funny writing a post about Bergen, from Bangalore. But its been a week since I left. Driving away with mum, I commented that it was a bit like when I left Aberdeen; the car filled up with my stuff, and me feeling not so sad to be leaving. I’m not too good at sticking in one place, it seems.

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