This week, we heard the sad news that our friend Doug had passed away. Nancy, his partner of 50 years, had taken him back to the USA from Mexico a few weeks back for treatment. Sadly the treatment failed and he died at his sister’s house near Denver. We have the fondest memories of him – a giant of a man. We will miss him. Our love goes to Nancy, who will return to Mexico soon with their dog Susi. RIP Doug in that great Yellowstone Park up above.

From 2021

All during the pandemic, people have had many new adventures, with businesses starting up, and people trying new things they had never experienced before. I’m learning Danish and Spanish, Ed has built a summer house, a pergola and we’ve gained a new dog. Abi has moved back to London, to a new office where doggies are now allowed to visit. One of my brothers has renovated his hair dressing salon which looks incredible.

My other brother has come through major surgery and yesterday we saw some footage of him dancing with his wife. Other friends are moving (in their 70s) to a huge house which needs complete renovation. An Irish friend has decided to sell her place in Ireland and buy a house in France. So many things have happened and the world has changed – some say for good. Watching the film Together (written by Dennis Kelly) with Sharon Horgan and James MacAvoy brought home the brutality of the pandemic but also showed how people have survived and in some respects, become stronger.

On their 41st wedding anniversary this year, our friends Nancy and Doug completed on their house in Mexico. This intrepid couple have travelled extensively and lived in many interesting places in the world. We first met them and their lovely dog, Fergus, in France when they lived in Leran (about 15 minutes from our place in Chalabre).

They worked as rangers in Yellowstone park and built a log cabin, in the mountains of Montana, learning as they went. (See below for details of their fascinating book). During the construction of the cabin, they lived in an Indian tipi which Nancy made, following instructions from a book, aptly named The Indian Tipi.

This new adventure looks so exciting and thankfully as the orange eejit has left the White House, and Joe Biden has brought some stability to the world, they will hopefully have a great life there.

There’s times when I have been bored to tears and at other times, moved to tears. If nothing else, the pandemic has taught us to be very grateful for what we have and for our family and friends. If we can just get back on the road again and be able to travel, life will almost be back to normal. Fingers crossed for the 19th of July!

With thanks to our dear friends and looking forward to visiting them in their new home – HASTA LUEGO