Arrival in France

Bonjour tout la monde


We had a fantastic flight - kids were absolutely amazing well behaved, i anticipated a horror trip and they were super resilient.  Mind you 45 hours of transit, including 3 flights intermittent sleep a brief night in Paris hotel,  we finally arrived at Bayonne and picked up our car and headed to destination Hossegor.

Our house is fantastic, weather is beautiful and we are walking distance to beach, shops, lake and surf for Trav. 


This is something we have yet to enjoy as the first few days have been nothing more than a nightmare!

Day 1: We move into our house, grab some lunch in town and make our way back home. One street away from our house, Hudson vomited, semi-conscious and limp in the backseat of the car ? analphylaxis. We were in the middle of an empty town street trying to find out where the hospital was and/or the number to call an ambulance (though we didn't have a french sim card yet!). Luckily a car came past pulled over and called the ambulance for us. Sirens on, Hudson with Trav was off to hospital. Hudson spent the day in hospital and was discharged that night (so mum we did work out where the hospital was and emergency numbers pretty quickly!).

Day 2:  Sleep in. Off to super-mache (a Bunnings like supermarket). Critical to do a massive shop and have Hudson friendly food and set ourselves up for the next few weeks as we had only planned to have a car for a few days (have now extended). This was an exhausting 5 hour task, from reading ALL french ingredient labels.  We finally head home, kids were again brilliant. Madeleine seems to be starting to get a cough!!!!!!!

Day 3:  Sleep in (yet still lacking on zzzz). After lunch Madeleine's cough gets worse and struggling to breath. Severe asthma attack (Madeleine first asthma attack, much worst than Hudson has ever had) - luckily we had brought Hudsons medications which help. From Hudson's episode we now had all the numbers and was luckily able to see a local GP straight away at 1830 just before she was closing her doors.  The GP assessed Madeleine and was unable to help (could only give the same medications to Maddie that we had already given her) except she contacted the same hospital in Dax where Hudson went 24/24 ago and told them of Madeleine's condition and that we were on our way. So off we went, the whole Minns mob this time. At Dax hospital Madeleine was given Ventolin nebulisers x 6 then discharged 0230, early morning drive back to Hossegor (40kms).

Day 4:  Madeleine is still not well, continues on ventolin puffers and steriods, we considered going back to hospital however she and Hudson had a 4 hour lunch sleep and woke slightly improved. That evening Hudson begins having a barking cough!!!!!!


Day 5: Madeleine has improved significantly still wheezy however now has chest infection will get antibiotics for her tomorrow as it is Sunday over here. Family venture into town to local market, latte and relaxing out of the house! Egg free sorbet gelatti for kids, great to be out and about. As I am writing this blog Hudson wakes up from lunch time sleep, walks out with full red rash to legs, arms, face and ears. Zyrtec antihistamine given and seems to be settling down, feels like we are on 24/24 medical watch at the moment! :)

All we can say is that the french people have been amazing and helpful, and lucky Trav and I are BOTH around to look after our children.


Hopefully next blog will have some highlights as we begin to holiday and explore.
Due to all the events to date it has taken me a little longer to become connected. We now have phone and internet access in France and receiving emails (although we seem to have problems sending from our regular email addresses), if you have emails from minnsmob@gmail.com that's us.  For those of you who are in france/england our contact number is now: 06 30 62 58 88 :)

A bientot


Minnsmob - Mel, Trav, Madeleine, Hudson and Noah