Happy and Healthy

Wow, what a difference a week makes! Madeleine is about to finish her antibiotics, and as a good big girl she is taking her two different asthma sprays without any dramas. Today, is actually her first day without an audible wheeze (nearly 10 days later). Noah is finishing his antibiotics for a chest infection, Hudson is running around like a maniac and we therefore have three happy healthier children. Thank god!

With the kids feeling better we have been able to get out and take in the surrounds. Hossegor and Capbreton are two lovely coastal french towns seperated by an ocean canal which leads into the most amazing tidal lake. Our kids spend a few hours a day playing at the lakes white sand beaches and in the blue salt water, looking for fish, crabs and all the fun things you do at the beach.

Our house is situated between the lake and the ocean.  Allowing Trav to run over and check out the surf before grabbing a few waves. He bought a bike to get around and most mornings in full wetsuit he rides off, board in hand, looking for waves. Most afternoons I get to walk/run around the lake which ranges from 7kms to 14kms depending if you take on the canal leading into the lake (have not taken on the 14kms just yet).  I have also attempted an old-school yoga class, in a house near by.  The session was  completely in French, so I had to watch the moves and wing it.  I hope to continue 1-2 sessions a week for a relaxing stretch.  The weather is beautiful 24-27 degrees everyday and it doesn't get dark until 10pm.

The kids love greeting everybody in the street with their australianised BONJOUR and mimicing my attempts (thanks to year 12 french) to communicate.   We are encouraging them to gradually use more french words. Noah our baby is now sitting on his own and is so much happier in the upright position.

Maddie has been doing her kinder homework and missing her friends from home.  We have made friends with a Sydney family.  They are here for 6 months to immerse in the culture and surf, it has been great for the kids to have others to play with and Trav to have a surfing buddy.

Croissants for breakfast, fresh french baguettes for lunch and quality bordeaux cheese and wine in the evenings - what a life which we are enjoying.

Coming up: Trav tells me there  is good swell coming (whooo hoooo how exciting...), Brad joins us for a week, Aunty Di and Chris will also be joining us for a few nights (full house).  We will start to venture on day trips taking in Biarritz, Anglet and St Jeam Luz.

a bientot

The Minnsmob - Mel, Trav, Madeleine, Hudson and Noah