A Not So Grand Goodbye, Goodbye.

Today a good friend and I hugged for what could potentially be the last time in years. You see on Sunday she moves to Australia with her fiancé and gorgeous little girl. Youngling and the little girl (aka as 'F') have been friends for almost two years and we joke about how they are boyfriend and girlfriend. Both blonde bombshells they can make each other laugh and cry and sometimes cry with laughter.

Miss Expat and I became quite close friends after meeting at baby and toddler group and exchanged numbers we had friends in common from the same group and often met up altogether. I was utterly gutted when I couldn't attend her leaving party last Saturday as my mum needed the car (trains and bus services not great in this area especially with a tantrum prone toddler in tow). Youngling and 'F' were giggling away in the car today and though they were extremely loud they were really well behaved in the cafe. I dont think they understood it would be a long time until we see each other again (though I have a new webcam - thanks dad- ready to install so we can Skype each other).

I treated us all to a light, and very late lunch, after all what kind of present can you get someone whose entire life bar a few suitcases is packed away in a gigantic container and is already half way round the world heading for Aus. I know its not the grandest of goodbye's but it was the least I could do. I will have to send them all a little something when they get settled. It could take a while as they arrive on Monday/Tues 15/16th January and their container with their belongings (including furniture from their old house) wont arrive until at least late February.

Anyway here are the cheeky chappies.

I made sure I got some extra cute pictures of the children playing and I bit my lip when we hugged goodbye at the end. I broke down when Miss Expat told me I'm doing a really good job with Youngling especially since Doo moved out. It broke my heart to hear her say that because she has been so supportive and helpful during the last nine months of hell back to happiness. She even helped me sweep my patio and pull weeds from my garden when it had grown into a jungle. Now that is friendship considering she is always so neatly presented. We often joke about her having OCD where as I am quite the opposite.

I have really envied Miss Expat for several reasons one her impeccable style and taste in fashion. With her slight frame she can pretty much pull anything off. I would kill for her legs but then she has worked out in her makeshift gym in the converted wendy house at the bottom of her garden. Also for her family commitments and friendly personality and going out persona. Though she has become a mother after a rocky journey she has stayed so true to herself that I can see it in her upbringing of Little 'F'. She is true credit to her mother and I am so lucky to have met them both and to have them in my life.

I often say I will go and visit people who don't live nearby when I have saved, and generally speaking I do, I have never meant it so much as when I said it today. So this is my pledge and I want to make a counter tracker to count my savings to spur me on. For when you meet someone special whether it be family, friend or loved one, I think you should do everything in your power to keep them in your lives.

Well Miss Expat and future daughter-in-law ;-) I wish you all the very best of luck and don't forget us as we will definitely be flying over for a visit - just don't know when yet.

All my love

Kate and Youngling

xx