We have been in France for a week with the usual rollercoaster of highs and challenges. Anything involving internet service and banking always has the potential to derail. Fortunately, both were sorted out.

Cementing friendships was also key. I am lucky to have met potential 3am friends – those who show up regardless of the situation. Those who are there for you in spite of your stupidity, sadness and crazy antics. I can see some of our new friends showing signs of this and I am grateful.

As we count down the next few weeks to our permanent move, we are still in two lands of bureaucracy which also gets the blood pressure going. Leaving is as time consuming as entering another country!

So I look at my French beach photos for motivation to decrease the stress and know that this too will pass.