Return Of The Native
It’s been a long time. Since I was here. In the place I called home. Virtually.
Stuff has passed, water on its way to the sea, under bridges, bursting its banks, flooding lands once dry. And fires have flamed and smouldered and smoked vast swathes of land once: safe. Whatever that means. It’s notional isn’t it? Safety.
A sickness gripped the world. Clever humans developed ways of arresting its relentless decimation of the population. Abating it sufficiently that people feel somewhat secure again.
Unless they are in a war zone. We have too many of those. One is one too many.
I continue to be somewhat: rootless. I’ll try to find a foothold again. Here. And if you want to you can read along with my nonsense as once before you may have done. Or join me for the first time. We can have fun, we can laugh we can have moments of reflection, moments of despair. We can embrace as community.
And what can you expect? In this resurrection of sorts. Each week or thereabouts a feature on a place that I am, or have been: ‘Round My Parts’. Monthly an invited guest: ‘Round Their Parts’. The recognisable random mix of renovations and observations, of places and people and politics and poetry and occasionally a meal shared. But mostly simply a place for me to ramble and write and sometimes to review the work of others, to showcase their poetry, their stories. Maybe mine too.
So welcome, or welcome back: let the whatever unfolds commence. I’ll be back on Monday with a first, hopefully not a last, post.
PS: The ever present PS. The title is benignly borrowed from Thomas Hardy. It feels appropriate, simply as an exercise in word placement.
HEY, good to ‘hear’ your voice again. Like you I am back to my blog just after a bit if freshening up. I always looked forward to reading your blog so I’m double-chuffed.
Double brilliant! I get to read you as you are kindly reading me! Let’s shake those tail feathers, freshen our faces and get on the road together! Delighted, delighted, delighted to see you and to know that you are back in the saddle too
Well, welcome back dearest. You were on my mind, often, but not regularly. I sort of missed you, a bit. I loved our ramblings but when you never even replied to my mails to you I kinda lost interest too. But now you’re back and I welcome you once more into my exciting (bah) life. Do you even know that I’m back in my native country? That we arrived one week before the international shutdown of life the way we knew it? See…. You didn’t. Oh boy, the things we missed together. Do write again, complain, si tu veux, tu peux aussi louer tout ce qui va bien. As you please. Hugs, Kiki
Hey lady! How lovely to see you. Much went on. I might write about some of it. I might prefer not to burden people I valued along the way. I did know you were back in your native land. So I dedicate this piece to you, since the title reflects your lucky escape on a number of levels.
I so look forward to jogging along with you again. Long may you ride! Bisous.
To a long jog between the two of us! Don’t sprint though, I’m neither lean nor mean and not fantastically fit….
It has been a long time. I hope all is well with you and yours. We’re still here too, facing new challenges but managing to rise to them thus far. Bonne Annee et Bonne Sante
This is such an extraordinarily lovely feeling. To see so many that I valued highly before. You. Are. High amongst those. I look forward to catching up with where you are and jogging along with you on the road ahead. Meilleux voeux à vous deux. Bonne Année et Bonne Santé bien sür.
Welcome back…while i am still finding my way
Oh so GOOD to see you. Keep finding your way. I’m taking time out tomorrow to look at blogs I loved. Yours will be right there. Your photos were always sublime. And your poems.
Welcome back. It is good to see you again in the blogsphere. I have missed your rambling and hope to read you more often.
We are also still posting though intermittently as we now only post about our foreign trips so there are a burst of posts after each trip and then our site goes silent while we prepare another trip or are travelling. Currently, we have been posting about our trip to the Arabian Peninsula last November (UAE, Oman & Saudi Arabia)
Oh my goodness, this is better than Christmas: way better. How wonderful to see you. I’ll be taking time tomorrow to look up old blogs. How I will look forward to vicariously imbibing the Arabian Peninsular. Delicious!
Oh wow!
My friend!
It all fell apart all over didn’t it.
I’m hoping you have lit my pilot light and it starts to warm the central thinking system once more.
How I have missed you.
So happy you are back.
☺️😚
Oh wow indeed! How utterly marvellous to see you. I really hope I have encouraged you to get those blogging boots on again. I’ve missed you very much and am equally happy to see you. Lets get the party started, yes? xx
A feeling of warmth spread over me when a blast from the past appeared this morning, a feeling much needed in this arctic cold we are currently experiencing! So good to see “Half Baked in Paradise” again! I look forward to a re-connection, as I have missed your unique way of writing and seeing the world. Welcome back!
You! How wonderful to see you! What delightful words, far too kind. But I really do look forward to reconnecting. For this past while, there has been a warmth missing in my world. You just ignited it to a pilot flame with your comment. Thank you. For being you.
It’s good to see you back. Stay, this time, je t’en prie. You have been missed.
Thank you. I feel welcome. Its a good feeling.
How lovely to see you back here, Miss Osyth! I’ve missed your whimsical ramblings and will be happy to follow along again. In the meantime I’ve become lackadaisical about posting, but when I do it’s so lovely to reconnect with old friends.
Hey you! How great to be back and reconnect in this sphere. Don’t worry about any perceived lackadaisical-ness … I’ve been the mother of all poor correspondents for (gulps in embarrassment) years. Heres to riding along together again however sporadically!
Welcome back, Osyth. Good to see your return
I’m so happy to see you Derrick. I’m looking forward to journeying together again.
It’s SOO good to see you here again, and I’m looking forward to reacquainting myself with your inimitable writing and beautiful photos. So please don’t go away again!
I thought that title was familiar. Of course, I’d never ‘borrow’ someone else’s title for one of my posts 🤣xx
I’ve always been a shameless stealer of lines and titles. Nothing changes. We are in good company with one another, I feel. I promise not to go away again. I know I need this. On so many levels from friendship to discipline (not that sort). I’m looking forward to the ride and have not forgotten I promised you my manuscript to read. It too shall pass your way.
Look at all these comments. So many people are glad you’re with us again. Very pleased. I look forward to having you again in my inbox.
Oh how absolutely lovely to see you. I watched a programme about the Vendee the other day and the inevitable attendant wondering about you was one of the things that kicked me sharply and necessarily in the backside and prompted this belated return.
I admit to being amazed and delighted at this wonderful response. Onwards we go, my friend.
THIS IS AWESOME!!!!!!!!!
I mean, welcome back. It is so nice to see you here again.
But really, THIS IS SO AWESOME!! I’m so excited to see you back!
That is TOO sweet! I’m delighted to be back and to riding along with you again.
I had commented…but WordPress ate it. Good to see you again.
*Wordpress ate my homework* 😂 Its good to be back and I intend to stick around and to spend many happy hours reading blogs from excellent folks like you!
What a delight and relief to have you back. Every now and then I have checked your blog to see if I had missed a posting.
I had a long break too. Covid had me languishing, even though I still haven’t had it.
I’m delighted to find so many I value here. You head that list. Its wonderful to find you again. Covid had so many hidden effects. Neither of us have actually had it (in fact my children call us the worlds most vaccinated people: exaggerating, of course, but Massachusetts has delivered up 6 shots a piece so far). I just think it created a malaise, a lethargy in many of us. Me included. All that being so, its great to be back and I look forward to riding along together again from here.
You’re right about the feeling of malaise, but we’ve just spent two months in Arabia, so I guess the languish passes eventually. Very glad you’re back.
Oooh! Arabia! I shall dive over to your blog and languish in what I love most: vicariously experiencing places in the most vivid way – treats ahoy!
Hello (again). You never really left, did you?
Nah! I never leave a good party. Its always good to see you and I look forward to featuring your parts very soon 😉
How very strange! Only four days ago I happened upon a long ago comment by you, which led me to look back over your posts and wonder, as one does, “Whatever happened to…..?” Well, blow me down with a feather. Here you are again, and very welcome too. I look forward to catching up with whatever you are going to share!
I replied to your reply on Nessa’s comment. How complicated do they have to make it. I love circuitous coincidences and this is no exception. Its really good to see you again and I shall lurk decorously in this sphere again, posting nonsense and enjoying reading your good self once more. Onwards.
Happy to have you back.
Lovely Darlene, how wonderful to see you. I’m overjoyed to find you and to think that we can ride along together again.
I commented, but WordPress in its infinite wisdom has possibly consigned it to the spam bin. It’s lovely to have you back in the blogosphere. I and many others, I’m sure, have missed you and your posts.
I think you may find me in your SPAM folder. Anyway, really happy to see you back.
Oddly not spammed, just waiting for approval. Bizarre. Nessa too and a slough of others. Slough: Hmm – I feel oblique wheels turning on a post. Betjaman’s poem may be pillaged.
Oh what bliss to be reminded of this poem. It may well be a harbinger of pondering poetry!
That makes me very happy. To remind a writer of a poem. Ponder away sir. Perhaps we could have tandem Slough/Betjaman posts ahead. Such fun!!
Welcome back. Bloggers come and they go, but it is always nice when they return.
I’m sure there’s a clever response about old bloggers never dying but its avoiding me, so I’ll simply say: its really good to see you and I look forward to jogging along together once more.
There isn’t an original bone in my body. Welcome back! I missed your return the last time, due to circumstances beyond my control. I’m as bad at visiting as I ever was, but very much look forward to reading your thoughts and observations again. 🙂 x
I’m SO happy to see you! I hope the uncontrollable circumstances are now resolved and that all is hunked and dored once more. I can make no remarks whatsoever on others’ attendance records, given my own disgraceful lapse. I promise to do better and will be delighted to see you whenever the whatever takes you and you read my drivel. On the other hand, I am very much looking forward to reading your posts once more. Always a joy and, indeed, an education.
Well, I think we can agree on all of the above! What a lovely turn your phrases have.
Super! I do prefer to be in accord. You are kind about my turns of phrase: it just sort of comes out like that. No science or particular thought to it.
Third time lucky. WordPress seems to keep discarding my comments. Delighted to see you back. Long may it last.
Rather rudely, it asked me to approve your comment, but hopefully now I’ve done that it won’t happen again. Quite bizarre.
It’s very good to be back. I intend for it to be indefinite. Though, as I prove to myself time and again in life, good intentions can backfire chez moi.
Onwards!
Vanessa, you are not the only one that WordPress is ignoring. This is my third attempt also!
I seem to have to approve some of the comments. Who knows why. Anyway: whatever the strange machinations of WordPress workings, it’s great to see you Pete. And I look forward to wandering and pondering along with you going forwards!
Nice to see you writing on here, I missed your wit! However, I haven’t been on here in over a year. My oh My where does time go!! Shelley and Matthew are in France checking out the area and the house. The last time they were there my daughter ended up buy a horse that was being neglected by a breeder. So they are also checking in on Mina. So happy they are there. They plan on being permanent by the first of June this year. I am working on getting my passport updated so I will be ready to travel. Enjoy ole man winter while he is visiting, I am soaking in all the cool weather while we have it. xxkat
Good to see you, though we have the advantage of FaceBook interactions too. You don’t need to be writing, but I’m happy that you are reading. I’ll try and maintain some wit along the way.
I remember you reaching out re Rennes. I did ask a friend of mine to contact you via FaceBook but don’t know if he ever did. He was born and raised in Rennes and lived there until he upped sticks and walked out in his twenties. These days, he’s merely a visitor, I guess. Anyway, I wish them Godspeed in finding their feet in June and, who knows, maybe another horse (!) I have recently found a wonderful lady with a shelter for animals: currently pygmy goats, a llama, sheep, two fat pigs, ponies, donkeys a goose and a turkey who reacts badly to bright colours and will attack. My anorak is bright yellow 😱. She also has a glorious old trooper of a dog who she rescued from a shelter. He’s fifteen now but was thrown into the pound at 6 months and spent 6 years there before she took him home. The dearest boy, he’s weak as a whisper but loyal as can be. She’s a wonderful woman.
Looking forward to meeting you here often and getting your excellent commentaries on my drivel!
xxx
My daughter bought a little bungalow in St. Clement Rancourdray. well thats where I send the mail to. Its beautiful green. lush area. They are sooo happy and ready to move.xx
Nice! Normandy is absolutely lovely (both Two Brains and I have Norman heritage courtesy of 1066). I’m sure they will be very happy and I wish them well with their big move. Are they shipping or starting afresh?
They are shipping a container with the mini cooper and all that is precious, they will bring their beds, clothes and some tools and personal items, but as far as any other furniture, starting over, they have been to the house 3 times since purchase and have been going to all the antique shops for some beautiful pieces. I think starting over is fun and makes the move more exciting. They were looking to make a life change, I think they found it. I can’t wait to visit.
Warn them that rematriculating a US car to French is extremely difficult. Our Jeep arrived at the Port of Marseilles with all its documents and was passed clean by the Duane in December 2022. We are still going through the process of Frenching it 😱. All else is really sensible. Starting over IS fun. If I did it again I’d bring books, precious things and some clothes and thats the lot. No furniture, no car. Oh: and the dogs of course 💕
Thats basically what they did bring, she brought all her books and special things close to her heart along with all their cloths and lots of art, and her husband has a large collection of photography equipment along with all his musical instruments and tools, etc. He also brought his motorcycle and yes the mini cooper. They arrived yesterday and are so happy to be home. The cat Ida did exceptionally well and has already taken over the house. LOL the container with the rest of their life should be there before the end of May, I can’t wait to visit.
Welcome back! What a great surprise on this cold winter day! Lots to catch up on. Again, Welcome back!
Hey! How brilliant to see you again. A lovely surprise for ME on such a dreary day. How good it will be to jog along together again. Very good indeed.
I’m here for the first time, Fiona. I’m a blogger and love reading other’s blogs too. They’re more personal, more intimate, more time-consuming too, and I like to take that extra time to read others’ thoughts and explorations. I’ll be here when you post because I love the way you express yourself. This post itself…just lovely!
Welcome! I’m delighted to see you here. I enjoy the process of blogging – the reading and the writing. You are spot on with your summation: they are more intimate. Time-consuming as it certainly is, it is rewarding and worthwhile. And having people I like and admire, as I do you, to wander along with is the most tremendous boost and bonus in my life. Thank you for your kind words about the way I express myself. And this post. I’m a very slow percolator, and found the power supply hard to fix when it was rudely cut off, but eventually out pops a post and I’m so, very delighted and flattered that you found it ‘lovely’. That word is more encouraging than you might know. Thank you, Val: long may YOU ride!
Welcome back Osyth !! … It’s been a long time and the last few years, it felt like the end of the world… Let’s hope for a better future and I’m looking forward to reading you again !!! …
Salut !! It has been a long time: far too long. What a dreadful pause it has been for this world we occupy. And sadly, for many innocents, it continues to be. BUT ! We can hope and most of all we can write and we can read one another’s words. I really look forward to catching up with yours.
Hello. I missed you. God so much has happened since we discussed cheese and renovating in France. We must catch up. How cool your in Normandy. We are hoping to head that way in about five years…want beaches and shells and crabs! Hugs x
I think my comment didn’t post! Hello. So delighted your back. I missed you and us chatting about cheese and renovations. Are you back in France? Life has been good and much going on. I got my act together at last! Xx
Hey! How great to see you. Your previous comment got caught in my ‘for approval’ folder for reasons best known to WordPress. You are not alone, many of my long term followers have had the same fate. Hopefully it will normalise over time. This comment made it through and I have approved both. I am back in France: have been since October 2022. Back in the Cantal in fact. I look forward to trawling through your blog: I’ve peeped from time to time and I know you have done a huge amounts since my rude exit a few years ago. I look forward to swapping notes on cheese, on landscape, on animals (we have four dogs now) and on renovations. All are endless sources of delight to me! Take care and perhaps we can even meet in person some time. I’m not desperately far from your Creuse. Normandy I adore. In fact Two Brains and I had our first trip away together, after we met, to Honfleur. Its a place to visit rather than live for us. We choose mountains over sea every time. Much love and speak soon xx
Hiya. Just seen message. Will reply later, just got to wash my hair…and yes for real…its looking a bit limp and slithery!!! Glad your back. Do you want to chat on Messenger? Xx
Are you on Messenger?