October 14th

Dear Heidi,

You are finally arriving in France! Bienvenue!

I am nearing the end of my week home alone, although I am lucky and have had more company than usual. D was of course here in the evenings Monday through Wednesday, and on Thursday he joined the hunters again. E and I enjoyed a misty almost spooky drive to Sweden on Thursday. I bought more tea, and a few groceries but not a great deal. It was the tea I really wanted! On Friday I drove out to see my friend A, and then drove her daughter E to work at SFO . C has finished his studies in the Uk and returned home reluctantly, to begin looking for a job. It is three years next week since their brother T died, so all is a bit solomn in that home at the moment. However E is learning to drive, and I am expecting them here this afternoon. I have baked a blackberry and apple cake to celebrate if she manages to make it this far!

I also made welsh cakes this morning because uncle BA came over with his friend K for morning coffee and to discuss their trip to England in November.

I am expecting the boys home tomorrow evening, but have no idea when...it all depends on the weather and the moose. So far the team have not got the full quota of animals, and they think that this is because there are so many more wolves in that area than in former years.

On Wednesday Pappa and I are off to England ourselves, to attend the harvest festival at Cannington and collect W for his half term holiday. We are going a few days early to have a little less pressure on the schedule and perhaps enjoy the trip a little rather than just belting along the motorway there and back again! I would like to buy a new dress for the Confirmation service too.

Well, maybe you are anchoring up by now. I hope that you have some interesting activities to undertake in Toulon. Don’t forget to buy lavender bags to put into your clothes chest! I look forwards to hearing from you soon,

Love always,
Mamma.