On a new path

This evening we took a walk over the River Stour through grassy fields just off Cowgrove Road. Ever heard of the spot? Neither had we. As we walked, I was thinking about how it all was new to us. Here we were, in the south of England, in a pretty, rural field, ambling along a track we'd never before walked. So distant from the home-sweet-home we'd been bustling about in, as usual, just a few days ago (3522 miles away, Google tells me).

Yet it wasn't all new. The countryside was beautiful and different, but in a warm, familiar way, not an exotic one—our landscapes have plenty in common and we've visited here often enough, after all. The boys played tag and captured dozens of moths, butterflies, and grasshoppers—just as they always do at home. Jesse was still by my side. The sun was still setting in the west.  :)

Many times over the past 48 hours I've been struck with a funny catch in the chest...  You know, the catch when you think to yourself "Wow, is this really happening??", when you suddenly lose half a breath, shake your head for a second, and try to remember where you are and how you got there? Apparently new paths (along with being really exciting and beautiful and lovely) are known to bring funny catches. But on our walk this evening I realized that it's not all new. Not entirely. 

Jesse and I are so excited to be on a "new path" right now. (Obviously I'm not talking about the trail off Cowgrove Road any longer, although it was great. I mean, some of the mammoth cow patties we navigated will keep the boys supplied with inappropriate conversation starters for days...) We've known for years that one day we'd spend time living over the ocean. We never thought it would be in France—by way of the south of England—and until this past January we didn't know it would be now, but we couldn't be happier. A lot will be really different, and sometimes really challenging and really frustrating (I foresee more catches in my future!), but maybe a lot will be the same too. And either way, we're thrilled that we're not just preparing or imagining or planning any more. The journey has begun! We're ON the path! Hooray!

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And...for those who like the nitty gritty, here's a quick, more practical run-down of the last few days:

We left Lancaster on Monday around 2 p.m., after a harried (and sometimes emotional) morning of last jobs, quick errands, final packing, washing all the towels and sheets for the tenants, and cleaning the last corners of the house. Goodness, the house was cleaned and organized to within an inch of its life (or perhaps within an inch of mine!). (Thank you, West End small group, for everything you did to help!!!!)

Here we are with our bags just before loading up the cars. Four suitcases, four small carry-on roller cases, and four "personal items" (three backpacks plus Jesse's briefcase). Not pictured: the boys' carseats, also coming along.

The trip itself started out great. Auspiciously, even. Our drop-off in Philadelphia couldn't have gone more smoothly...no traffic getting there, we were able to move all of our gear without assistance (yay!), checked in immediately, went through a pre-screened security lane, and had time for a bite of supper. It went a bit downhill from there, alas. First there were the thunderstorms and tornadoes in Massachusetts that delayed our departure from Philly (after we'd already all boarded; we sat on the tarmac for about 90 minutes). The layover in Boston was a total rush; we had to exit the terminal to get to our next plane, running and panicky the entire way. The flight to Reykjavic was fine and the boys slept (hooray!!) about 3 hours, but then our next flight was again delayed. And when, at loooooong last, we got to London Gatwick, cleared passport control, and made it to baggage claim, we found ourselves forlornly waiting by the belt after every single other passenger had collected his or her baggage. Too bad we'd spent a lot extra renting a big car to fit all the suitcases, eh? I enjoyed a fair bit of quality time filing a claim with the baggage folks. They didn't even have record of our stuff. The only good thing I can say is at least they had a couple of grubby, seedy booster seats they let us borrow so we could actually transport the children (although it did occur to me that leaving an exhausted William as collateral may have motivated a speedier search on the Casler baggage claim...).

Anyway, after collecting the rental car, Jesse heroically fought exhaustion for a few more hours and safely delivered us all to Colin and Ann's by 6:40 p.m. (Tuesday). We had a wonderful dinner and then found that Ann—we shouldn't have been surprised!—had already dashed out to get shirts and undies for the boys, sleep clothes for me and Jesse, and a few other treats and essentials.

Today (Weds) our bags are all still listed as "untraceable." Nice. It's only ALL THE STUFF WE THOUGHT WAS MOST PRECIOUS AND IMPORTANT TO SUSTAIN OUR FAMILY FOR AN ENTIRE YEAR, so no biggie. Ha! One booster seat was located earlier today and delivered to the house just a bit ago, about 10 p.m. tonight. One item? Baffling. Also baffling was the fact that the delivery guy wouldn't give it to us without us trading back both of the borrowed ones, no matter how much we went over the logic of the exchange.

In any event, today was a great day overall. With showers, a good night's sleep, and good food, we felt renewed this morning. We hung out around the house aside from our little jaunt this evening (since Jesse put in nearly an 8-hour workday). The boys had plenty of fun staying close to home, with activities such as...

Playing pinball (William had just gotten a ball in a 150 spot, hence the fist pump)

Making obstacle courses for the super remote controlled car Ann bought for the boys. 

And constructing a winch system for the pulley-and-bucket on the play fort in the back garden. (How that came to be was fun, and I think both Uncle Colin and Josiah enjoyed the little project!)