A lovely time in the UK

I have been so lucky over the past several weeks to be in this wonderful country.  The sun has been shining and the countryside is so green and pleasant.  I have amazing hosts, who have taken it upon themselves to make sure I see all of the most essential sights.  Some highlights have been Swanage, Bournemouth, Brownsea Island (with its adorable tufty-earred red squirrels), Hampton Court Palace, Osbourne House on the Isle of Wight, the Cotswolds, and Glastonbury (where King Arthur is purportedly buried).

Last Wednesday I had the most wonderful surprise from my English soon-to-be-family: a very English bachelorette party, or "hen-do" or "hen party." Lynne, Nick's Mum, and his sister Jen had secretly arranged the most English thing they could think of - a very fancy afternoon tea at the Rhinefield House - and invited a few close friends.  I felt so loved and welcomed!! It was a very special day.

It is hard to believe that 5 weeks have passed since Nick and I signed off the Queen Elizabeth.  I have had a great time here.  Now we are only 3 months away from the wedding.  The visa situation is going well - we are at the last step before the wedding: Nick's interview at the American Embassy in London.  It is scheduled for the end of the July, and after that day we will know for absolute certain that Nick's Fiance visa has been approved.  It can't come quickly enough! For now I head home, in search of new employment, and pray he will be able to join me very soon. We haven't been apart for more than a few hours since January, so hopefully it will be very, very soon.

And now?? California, here I come!!  This time its for good!

France and the Masseys

We spent an amazing week in France! Our flight took only about an hour and a half from London to Geneva, Switzerland.  From there we had booked a transfer to La Fayet station, where we were met by Andrea Robertson, Nick's aunt.  She used to be Andrea Massey, my future name!!  I love that. She drove us up the hills a little way on a winding road to the small town of Saint Gervais Les Bains.  She and her husband Jon live in a gorgeous chalet that they bought in derelict condition and gave a complete makeover to.  While the house itself is amazing, it is far surpassed by the views of the mountains on every side.  They have a beautiful garden which Andrea keeps up and uses to supply Sunday flowers to the local church in Saint Gervais. Jon gave us a tour around the house, showing us everything they have done in it, including gazebo, swimming pool, wine cellar, cinema room, central vacuuming system, separate self-contained apartment and garage, and glass walled conservatory where we got to eat our meals with 180 degree views of the valley.  Andrea spoiled us all week with home-cooked meals with fresh ingredients from the market in Saint Gervais.  The market itself is on the main street in town, which we could walk to from their home.

Spending time with them and their daughter and granddaughter was wonderful, and we saw some amazing sights while we were there.  Highest on the list was our trip up into the French Alps that we were staying at the base of.  We drove over to the ski resort town of Chamonix, and took a cable car or "telepherique" up to a point in the mountains around Mont Blanc called the "Aguille du Midi".  At the very top you are at an incredible elevation of over 12,000 feet, and yet Mont Blanc itself is still much higher than you! We also took another cable car that carries you suspended over the snow and glaciers, and tiny figures of hikers put the enormity of the scene into perspective.  I can honestly say I have never seen mountains like this before in my life, and the views absolutely took my breath away.

Though we didn't climb Mont Blanc (this time!!), we did go on one major hike up near one of the glaciers that works its way down from the peak.  As it was still early in the season, we found ourselves encountering ever-increasing patches of snow that we had to navigate through without the proper shoes, and bits of the path hadn't been fixed and maintained yet after the harsh winter.  Despite some sticky moments, somehow we made it to our goal, but instead of retracing our steps, we walked along the more predictable and safe route of an old train track that is no longer in use.  The views during the whole hike were just unbelievable.  I love the wildness of the place and the freshness of the air.  

Other things we got to do were to visit the towns of Evian, (yes, where the water is from!), Megeve, Yvoire, Chamonix, and Geneva itself (swiss chocolate....mmmm).  What a great time!

I could say much more about France, but I don't want this to get too long, so I will move on! Yesterday I got the chance to meet a whole lot more of the Massey clan, at a Sunday barbecue they planned to get a chance to meet me before I leave.  I met two other young ladies who have become Mrs. Massey's, one from Indian descent and one Czech.  They each are married to Nick's cousins, and have a couple of kids each as well.  I will be a Mrs. Massey soon! I loved meeting the whole family, they are all so relaxed and friendly.  I will be lucky to be a part of the family.