Nevertheless I feel disappointed about this – there is still a part of me that wants to feel that I belong in the land of my birth, that the country would welcome me home as a long lost child.

Actually no one knows me and very few could care less. Even the houses that I once knew so well seem to glare back at me as though I am invading their space. It wasn’t a total failure though as I did quite a bit of fond reminiscing of my childhood. But I couldn’t live there now. Anyway, the weather is atrocious.

Then on to France where, in the foothills of the Pyrenees Mountains near the ski resort of Saint Lary, my daughter and her Rugby playing partner live in a village called Lannemezan.

Just before Christmas the ski resort was a picture postcard in the evenings, with snow, skiers on the slope under lights, Christmas lights on the trees and in the streets, decorations, markets, Santa in a sleigh and busy, happy people buzzing around – sheer perfection. I could live there at Christmas time alright. In my daughter’s village I was overwhelmed with freshly baked bread each day, cheeses to choose from beyond my imagination and warm friendly folk who taught me to bake Christmas goodies and enjoy the local festivities. I could live there alright – for a while perhaps.

But what would it be like to live there the whole year round? My daughter loves it and would like me to go there for a year or two. Maybe I will.

Back home in Yass what have we got? Sweltering hot days, bush fires, poor night’s sleeping in the heat, poor choices of bread and cheese and Christmas over and done with for another year. BUT I have, my dog, many of my family, my wonderful friends and this fantastic little town where we all care for each other and chat in the street each day, I know what is around every corner – and I can speak the language. What more could I ask for? So, although I came here many years ago ‘out of the blue’ I know that I am HOME - back where I truly belong.