Good morning world. Welcome to 2019. Happy New Year from the Pyrenees. It’s another crystal clear, devastatingly cold, hard white frosty winter morning, and it’s going to be another cracker of a day when the sun comes up.
In 2019 I hope for more opportunities to enjoy village life here in our little corner of the Aude. In an increasingly ‘busy’ world, it provides utter peace and contentment and a return to the fundamentals of life based to a large extent on the rhythms of nature. It’s very different from our life in the centre of a capital city with all its ‘manufactured’ busy-ness.
It’s four years since we first came to the Mediterranean end of the Pyrenees on an extended holiday, with no plans at all to return. It’s four years since we fell in love with our village house, with no plans at all to buy. We’ve now owned the house for almost 18 months and, although it’s a long way for us to come from New Zealand for a holiday, we have not regretted it for a minute. It has always felt like ‘home’.
We love to travel – for the unexpected and often challenging experiences, for the interesting and sometimes challenging conversations, for the lifelong friendships around the world that broaden our horizons and challenge our preconceived ideas. And for the sheer joy of it. I hope more than anything in 2019 that we continue to enjoy the freedom of movement that allows us to have these experiences. I wish more people had the opportunity to travel.
Most of all, we love life here in the Aude. Admittedly we have the privilege of being here on holiday, while most around us are working, but in time we would love to find a way to make it work to be here for longer periods, bringing work with us. The boys have all benefited from being in school.
While here we enjoy the simplicity of village life. With only 50 permanent inhabitants it’s quiet. Everyone knows everyone but keeps to themselves. Our neighbour gardens to the cycle of the moon and gifts us the most delicious tomatoes. Other neighbours help out when something needs fixing and we don’t have the wherewithal to deal with it on our own. If we need something we know we can knock on any one of a number of doors and receive a friendly smile and a helping hand.
Wherever you are and whatever your circumstances, I hope 2019 is good to you. For now, Mr 5 and I will be putting our gumboots on and heading out to kick some more leaves. Right now, in this moment, life is good.
All best wishes for 2019. Yes, life is good in our little corner of the Pyrenees – for most of us. You – and we – are lucky to have had these special experiences.