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Post-move ramblings

8/5/2015

18 Comments

 
Or rather, mid-move ramblings. We've done the hellish bit - the boxing and the cleaning and the goodbyes - and now we're staying with family in the UK for a bit of a breather before we head to Sweden on the 11th. I feel like I've arrived from another dimension, and that's not just because it's about 20° C cooler here. My mind is foggy, and while I'd love to be able to write something eloquent and coherent about what it feels like to have wrapped up 4.5 years of our lives, ramblings is all I can come up with. So here goes. 
1. I feel like I'm floating in between two lives. Habit dictates that we should be heading back over the Alps to our little flat in Milan, but my mind is trying to brace itself for I-don't-even-know-what. A glimpse, we had, but what will our day-to-day lives look like? I have no idea.

2. Twenty-two boxes, two big suitcases, two small suitcases, two rucksacks, a big bag and a handbag. That's what we left with, after having arrived in 2011 with only one suitcase and two rucksacks. Oh, and a Bean. When we arrived it was just the two of us, and we've left with an extra something rather wonderful, if very loud. 

3. I miss our friends in Milan already. Considering we were once convinced we would never make any, this is quite something. It feels strange to have lost the solidarity that comes with having (barely) survived a month of 40° C heat together. My heart aches to see the Bean and his little friends' faces light up with glee and mischief just one more time. I can't quite believe we won't be there to share the grand "rientro" in late August, nor post-summer battle scars and new-school tears at the gates. 

4. Sleep, crochet, and think of nothing. That is all I want to do. Occasionally to empty my brain of ramblings. But really, that's it. I especially don't want to think about boxes.

5. I love finally having time to watch my Bean be beanish, without work or packing or endless to-do lists cluttering up my mind. To listen to him enthuse about the big diggers building new houses in his grandparents' village, and hear him serenade Happy Birthday tooo youuuuu to everyone, every day. To read ten books with him back to back, and not watch the clock while I'm doing it. 
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6. I'm astonished at how un-British we've become. We're predictably snooty about the coffee (although the flat white I had at The Coffee Cellar in Exeter was really, really good - oh the comfort!) and we can't fathom the shorts because it's clearly FREEZING. I don't know what to do with the silent shopping in the supermarkets. I think every dark-ish cloud heralds the coming of the apocalypse, while my mother-in-law just laughs and hangs out the washing. And when did everyone start serving drinks in jars?!
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7. There are delights too though, like burgers at Byron, ALL the crumpets for breakfast, and crawling under a pile of cosiness instead of the air-conditioning at the end of the day.

8. I can't tell you how much I'm loving the wind. To not be breathing in hot, stale air. To feel the cobwebs be blown out of my clogged-up brain, to smell the sea rather than my neighbour's cigarette smoke. And to rejoice that soon the sea will be a permanent fixture in our lives. Very, very soon.  
Devon Coast | Photo by E Alcocer at Pasta & Patchwork

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18 Comments
Amanda link
8/6/2015 02:44:02 am

Gosh, I can't even begin to imagine the shock to your system!! Take it easy on yourself, one day at a time, and soon you'll be at your new home. I know it can make up feel so edgy to be between places, so take that time to sleep and crochet, it will be good for your soul xx

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Eline @ Pasta & Patchwork link
8/13/2015 10:24:26 am

Thank you lovely, you're absolutely right Xx

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Sarah (@tobygoesbananas) link
8/6/2015 05:14:54 am

I can't imagine what it must be like to move your whole life to a new country. I lived in France a lot in my 20s but that was always just me, not a whole family. It must be nice having a bit of time to decompress in England before the next stage of the move though - and don't worry, I don't get the drinks in jars thing either!

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Eline @ Pasta & Patchwork link
8/13/2015 10:25:40 am

Ha, I'm glad it's not just me! x

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Becky Brown link
8/21/2015 11:26:26 am

It's funny you mentioned burgers! Only just the other day I was dreaming about gourmet burgers and wondered if I could summon up the energy to make one (haven't yet.) We've had two years in France now and can imagine we're pretty unBritish now too. When the kids went back in July my mum sent me a picture of both boys sat on the pavement in the middle of London...but hey it's what they're used to here!

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Eline @ Pasta & Patchwork link
9/14/2015 03:00:40 pm

It's inevitable isn't it, picking up new habit without even realising it. Whenever we're in the UK I'm also shocked at how loud the Bean is! As for the burgers, I have tried but it's surprisingly difficult to get it just right. I think it will just remain something I miss!

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Seychellesmama link
9/11/2015 05:41:47 am

Oh I'm so happy you linked this post up I've been so meaning to catch up with all of your move and so now I get to!!
That limbo feeling is so hard but it sounds like you were coping with it well, nice to be with your parents for that time!! It's amazing to reflect on what you came to Italy with and what your leaving with too!!
Had to laugh about the jars it definitely seems like the thing to do, makes for great IG and Pinterest pics I guess haha!!
Looking forward to reading how you're settling in your new home next!!
Thanks for joining in with #myexpatfamily

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Eline @ Pasta & Patchwork link
9/14/2015 03:02:35 pm

Now that we're here that limbo feeling is so remote already, but the jars thing still gets me ;-) I guess you're right - we have a lot to blame IG and Pinterest for! xxx

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FrenchVillage Jacqui link
9/11/2015 10:42:12 pm

It's been eleven years since we last moved and I can still remember the stress. Best of luck with your new move.

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Eline @ Pasta & Patchwork link
9/14/2015 03:04:31 pm

It's not really an experience you ever forget, is it! Thanks for wishing us well.

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Ruth @ Mummy and the Mexicans link
9/12/2015 05:26:08 am

I really like this post, very reflective and an interesting comparison of summer in Milan and summer in Britain. It's great that you get to have a little break mid-move, between the old life and the new one, and have some time to just enjoy being with your family. Good luck with the next step of the move!
Oh, and the drinks in jars thing is happening here, too! No getting away from it! #MyExpatFamily

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Eline @ Pasta & Patchwork link
9/14/2015 03:06:44 pm

Strange as it was in some ways, I think our little break did us a lot of good. It would have been such a shock to step straight from the old into the new (though of course lots of people do just that).
Incredible you're seeing the jars in Mexico too - I wonder where it started, the US maybe??

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Ersatz Expat link
9/12/2015 05:16:18 pm

Good luck with the move. The limbo phase is so frustrating.

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Eline @ Pasta & Patchwork link
9/14/2015 03:08:36 pm

Thank you. The limbo phase was tricky but at least grandparents' help meant we got a bit more sleep than we normally do!

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Emma Raphael link
9/14/2015 10:46:18 pm

I remember when we let DK, we had a family wedding in the US in between (and a quick trip home). I remember those weeks as being so so strange. A kind of limbo if you will, not feeling like we really belonged anywhere, but as soon as we got to Munich things started feeling normal again. Good luck with everything, I am sure you are going to love Sweden! :)

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Eline @ Pasta & Patchwork link
9/21/2015 10:41:24 am

Yes that's exactly it - feeling like you don't belong anywhere. Now that we've been in Sweden for a few weeks I can't say I feel like I 'belong' here either, but it is nice to know which door to put the key into and call home! Thank you for wishing us luck x

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Karen @ TalesofaTwinMum link
9/15/2015 07:24:35 am

What a lovely post - you've summed it all up so perfectly. It must be a strange feeling being in between places again. I can't imagine how I'll feel about the UK when I go back for a visit but I know I'll be freezing even if it is the height of summer there! I'm sure you'll be settled in in no time at all. Good luck. xx

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Eilne @ Pasta & Patchwork link
9/21/2015 10:43:54 am

Oh I imagine the first time you go back will be very strange - it was for us! And definitely freezing, though it's surprising how quickly your body adapts back again. Right now I can't imagine being hot and sweaty ALL the time anymore already, and it's only been a few weeks! Thank you for wishing us luck x

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