A few months ago, I experienced a blog 'implosion' of sorts.
So many things started happening at the same time.
I didn't know if I was coming or going. . .
Thankfully, it hasn't been anything too serious but our lives have certainly been busy, and action-packed: work; family; and the preparations for our big move. All have filled up so much of my time and thoughts.
Have you ever experienced a time like that? At the end of the day one gets into bed and feels like pulling the bed covers over ones head and sleeping for ever!
Having said that, though, and before I make things sound too dramatic, I should add that it has not all been work and no play...
There has been eating:
A lot of eating:
And sightseeing:
And shopping:
And more sightseeing:
So what with one thing and another my blog has had the shutters closed and the curtains drawn.
Things are gradually returning to normal and I am slowly starting to sit back and take it easy. I expect to return 'full time' to my blog in the next week or so, but until then 'adieu', and in the meantime, please help yourself to a 'tarte framboise' (raspberry tart)...
Dear Kirk - really good to see you back again.
ReplyDeleteI see that you have been in a little corner of the world that I love - Pont du Gard.
We stayed in a fabulous little hotel near Uzès many years ago.
Are you heading off for Australia?
Thank you Rosemary, that's nice of you. Pont du Gard - what a fantastic place that is. Mind you, we had to pay 18 euros to park the car there! Uzés is a lovely town, isn't it. We stayed in the centre, in an apartment inside a seventeenth century town house. It such a nice place. Yes we are heading for Australia - but not until December although we will be there for a few weeks next month.
DeleteGlad to see you back to blogging Kirk! And glad that things are calming down and returning to normal. The combination of eating and sightseeing is always good :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Keith. The thing about being busy is that one suddenly realises that weeks have passed and one has done none of the things one usually does - like blogging! Holidays for us are always a set combination: sightseeing, eating and shopping...
DeleteI believe we explored the town near where you live a few days ago. The schnapps nearly took my breath away.
ReplyDeleteDear Andrew, was that Dusseldorf? That is our town. Or perhaps you stopped at our village: Kaistswerth. YOu would certainly have floated by it, with its castle ruins...
DeleteKirk, I may have things really mixed up, or people mixed up, but I thought Durnstein in Austria. We are now on the Rhine at about Andernach, 16:12, 22/05.
DeleteHello Kirk,
ReplyDeleteWelcome back to the land of Blog!
We have missed you so much. Your posts were always of interest, carefully written and beautifully illustrated. They took us to new places and told yes things about antiques that we found fascinating. Oh how glad we are that you are returned to us safe and sound.
Real life has got a habit of becoming overwhelming at times. But, that is what makes it exciting. So much of interest to tell us all when you have a moment. We cannot wait!
Dear Jane and Lance,
DeleteThank you for your kind comments. I must say that it is nice to be back and seeing old and dear friends!
Dear Kirk,
ReplyDeleteYou have been missed and I am certainly glad that you are not sleeping forever!! Welcome back to the blogosphere, and I look forward to resuming our conversation!
Mark
Thank you Mark. Even Sleeping Beauty was only out of action for one hundred years, and I don't intend to emulate her, no matter how much I like that story!
DeleteKirk
PS
I am really enjoying your Pompeiian posts!
Thank you, Kirk! :o)
DeleteWhere are you moving to?
ReplyDeleteOn the few times in my life that I have moved home, I must agree that it took a GREAT deal of energy
Dear Hels,
DeleteWe are moving to your part of the planet! To Melbourne, which I must say is one of my favourite cities.
When I look around this apartment and see all that has to be done, it's a wonder I don't have an attack of the vapors!
Bye for now
Kirk
Excellent!
DeleteAll the Melbourne bloggers who write about travel, history etc must get together and have a welcome home drink or two!
I shall look forward to that!
DeleteKIRK! I am so thrilled to see you back in the saddle, as we say out here in the USA! Those crêpes, that tarte aux framboises and the Paris flea market, the aquaduc and more...FRANCE! Well, you have been a busy man! Thank you kindly for coming to visit me and now I know you are well. I had not seen any posts from you and really started to enjoy your blog. Be well, take your time, we are HERE to enjoy your travels when you can share. I have decided that for now, I am only posting once a month, because I too am busy with my teaching and now writing for a magazine! But blogging is extremely important for me, because of the people.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your spring day and let the love flow in. Anita
Dear Anita,
DeleteThank you for your kind comments. That flea market is actually in a place called Ile sur la Sorgue - a shopping paradise! I like your idea of blogging once a month - it's a bit like cutting your cloth to suit your means. That way one is able to juggle everything nicely. I hope to return to blogging once a week but at the moment it will probably be once every two weeks as we get back into it.
I agree with you: blogging is important to me too.
You are writing for a magazine? How exciting! Is it an online one or one you buy in a shop?
Bye for now, Kirk
Hey there! Missed you from 'across the pond' as they say. So is this the move to your country place? Funny side story, our 3rd kitty was almost named Melbourne (we have an Australian naming theme going on) but it was between Melbourne and Hobart. He just seemed like a Hobart, ha.
ReplyDeleteYou live such an adventurous and fun life. Love seeing your adventures, thanks for sharing.
Thank you, 1st Man, for your kind comments. Yes, we are moving in December to Melbourne - outer Melbourne where we own a house already. A cat called Melbourne? I like that. Maybe if you receive another one in to your lives, it will been given that honour!
DeleteGood news Kirk! You're well and full of energy to move so far, other side of our globe! But I hope you will continue blogging, as you promise, don't you? I'm always interested in your stories, in your photos.
ReplyDeleteDear Nadezda,
DeleteThank you for your comments. I certainly will keep blogging - I enjoy it. I enjoy reading your blog too and I do like your wonderful garden!
Looks like you spent your time wisely and well Kirk! Hope the preparations for your move will go fine.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely week!
Madelief x
Thank you Madelief,
DeleteWe are taking things slowly but there is still lots to do. I hope you are having a lovely time with your 'Hungarian' guests - if I had a car I would motor over to see you all!
Bye for now
Kirk
However long the breaks, it's always wonderful to hear from you. It looks like you're going to have a lot to share. Where to begin...
ReplyDeleteThank you Mitchell, that is kind of you to say.
DeleteWhat a good way to spend your time!
ReplyDeleteMarkus
Dear Markus,
DeleteIt certainly is. And now the weather in Germany is much more sunny - I like that! I don't want any more grey skies for a long time.
Bye for now
Kirk
Hello Kirk. Yes, involvement with my blog too has fluctuated. At times it's everything; at others I have to relinquish it a while. Any creative work is like that though, isn't it? I feel there's nothing to be done but to accept that sometimes you can't create, can't report, can't express yourself. It will come back refreshed.
ReplyDeletePS My imaginary raspberry tart is splendid!
Very true, Faisal. I'm glad that everyone has been so understanding!
DeleteWelcome back, Kirk!! I've thought about you and Aga....wondering about your adventures. Great to know all is well. Cheers from Maine :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Loi. I must admit that it is good to be back. I'm going to go to Maine one day...
DeleteI've moved countries twice and then all over within countries so I know the feeling. Absolutely best idea is to allow time for fun. A bit like mole in Wind in the W throwing down his whitewash brush. Inspired by your interesting post, we will be visiting Lyveden New Bield during our trip to the U.K.
ReplyDeleteI will be interested to hear what you think of Lyveden. I found it to be a wonderful place to visit. Ahh yes, Mole - one of my favourite characters - I think we all feel a bit like Mole sometimes!
DeleteWelcome back. Have missed your posts. Glad to see you are no longer MIA! David.
ReplyDeleteThank you, David. That's very kind of you.
DeleteSO, so glad you're back, Kirk. Hadn't realized you'd returned - where's my head these days? Oh well, just happy to know all is well even it has been a hectic time. Moving is always a BIG CHORE, but in the end it's all for the best and you relax and wonder how you did it yet again. Take it easy and keep us in the loop if and when you can.
ReplyDeleteDear Yvette, moving, when combined with work and the day-to-day aspects of life, plus all the other things going on at present make for a very busy time indeed. What I want is an army of servants who take care of everything for me!
DeleteSometimes life just gets busy, takes one the other things we so….I just know it will all work out! Are you on instagram kirk?
ReplyDeleteDear Monica,
DeleteNo, I am not on Instagram. Is it good? I was thinking of going on Pinterest. There are so many 'things' out there. I usually say 'I don't know much about computers; I just know about books.' haha.