Announcing ...

... our return to the mountains.

Secretly, I had hoped that I might be letting you know that a new book, 'But you are in Italy, Signora' was on the go, being shared as I was writing it from a heart-pumping Tuscan village where I could put into practice my flamboyant language skills, dive deeply into my husband's Italian ancestry and eat. Yep, that would be a big part of each day.

But, no. 

For reasons that need no explanation, I am still in Australia. 

Yet, I have serious and constant wanderlust and an ever-present need to find my next adventure. With our youngest finishing school this year, my husband and I have decided on a path forward and plumped for a return to the mountains. Not our French mountains, hélas, but the beautiful Blue Mountains, a short drive from Sydney. 

Cottage

I have dropped a few hints in recent Instagram posts but it is now officially shareable news and already I have felt closer to our French mountain lifestyle than I have in a long time. It is not just the altitude (we are at > 800m here), neither is it the low, low current daily temperatures, but the snow yesterday helped get me there. Waking and seeing it falling was not enough. A play in it was in order. I bundled up as warmly as I could, shoved my gloveless hands deep into my pockets, licked the snow from my lips as it settled momentarily and felt French again. It was chilly and I rued my hatless state (my beanies are all in France) but felt alive, energised, happy, purposeful. 

              

I can't wait to find my new mountain crew and the cottage at our new home might help facilitate this. Perhaps it will lead me to a new venture? Le Français à table (French classes over coffee) has a good ring to it. Or, a cosy space to welcome guests on an Air BnB basis (there is a double bedroom in the cottage)? Could I set up a time-out venue for writer's retreats (or other such get-togethers/conferences)? ... I'm not yet sure. 

What do you think?

I have been told that is not easy to leave comments on this blog, so drop me a line instead at cb222@me.com. Or, if you are in the mountains, I'd love you to reach out.

PS My writing journey has led me to many beautiful souls. If you have not yet had a chance to read my second memoir 'Weaving a French Life: An Australian story,' it would give me so much pleasure if you could do so through the affiliate links to Kristi and Mardi below. They take a couple more clicks to get to where you want to go, but they cost you nothing. Merci.

For print copies: Head to Kristi's blog at French Word-A-Day and scroll down until you see my book in her list of recommended reading on the RHS of the page. 

For digital copies: Head to Mardi's blog at eat. live. travel.write and scroll down until you hit the purchase link in her review.

Or, if you have not yet read 'But you are in France, Madame,' the first of my memoirs. Here is a universal link, which should take you to your current geographic location for easy purchase. 

Merci et à bientôt.