Catching up with his 95 year old Great-Grandfather
(Hackneyed – made commonplace or trite; stale; banal: Heimweh – German term for homesick:)
Not that I am sick of going home before you think I have finally lost the plot. I am just totally sick of the annoying little things that go with each visit. For example, endlessly losing things from the mass of suitcases that now follow us on our travels (to think I had the amount of luggage we took with us down to a fine art before the smallest family member arrived!!). Keeping track of who we are seeing, where, and on which day (and sadly on this occasion not being able to make quite a few visits!). Working out what the hell to wear depending on which weather Great Britain decided to treat us to (from 35DegC for the first few days to 12DegC just a few days later), and waking up in the middle of the night wondering where on earth we were on numerous occasions (which usually meant someone else had given up their bedroom to accommodate us – which in turn added to the guilt of not living there in the first place!), you catch my drift…
Then there are the usually constant “what ifs” and “if onlys” as we wandered around our old neighbourhood and dreamt about what might have been had we just stayed put – not helped by the now close proximity of a massive range of great shops and eateries (I consoled myself with the fact that had we stayed I would probably by now be both very very fat AND very very poor). And of course the fact that despite feeling as if we very much belonged (to the extent that you possibly never can in an adopted country temporary or otherwise), hanging over us was the fact we might not be home for the long term for a while longer yet…
Thankfully all of the little niggly things that take up most of my head whilst in England are completely and utterly outweighed by the people who make each visit totally worthwhile. The friends we are able to pick up with as if our lives there were just yesterday, and of course the all important family members that don’t help with the heimweh each and every time I contemplate returning to Munich as the days run out. My parents and siblings really don’t make it easy to leave at all, neither do my Grandparents who are soldiering on despite a worrying stint in hospital for my Grandmother a day or so before our arrival. The precious time I was able to spend with her made any amount of claustrophobia on the Eurotunnel worthwhile (if you suffer from this by the way, do insist on taking a roof box because then you will be in with the vans and lorries and its is a little less sardine like AND you get to bring lots of extra things back!)…
And so, after almost 3 weeks of home we are back, having driven through the night on Sunday (tis the best time for slumbering babes and small people who seem to be afflicted with marble sized bladders during the day!) – thundering down the empty autobahn with a car packed to the rafters with stuff from home (most of which we can get here, but just aren’t quite the same you understand!) and a head full of brand new memories and places to tell you about as I slowly slowly catch up… And, as much as it was nice to be back, it’s also nice to be back. This Expat life is a funny old one…
I can’t really comprehend the mixed emotions you must have, but this gives me a flavour of them.
Pleased you had a lovely visit back home and hope the rest of your summer had more predictable weather!
Thank you Trish. It’s getting all a little tiresome to be honest! :D We had a lovely visit home x
I love travelling but I can imagine what it is like when you are moving about so much.
Thanks Emma x
Oh I know what you mean! We don’t live as far away as you but we just moved across country and we still refer to two different ‘homes’ at the moment.
I imagine that is just as hard Kate. Thank you! (: x
Aw it must be so hard to go back and leave your family and friends here again x x
It’s something I dread each and every time. Thanks Cass xx
Part of me would love to emigrate but I am sure I would miss my friends and family far too much. We always lose stuff in cases when we go away, I am not sure how either as we check the hotel room with a fine-tooth comb before we leave. Glad to hear you had an enjoyable visit – let us know next time you come and we will try and sort less changeable weather for you!
Thank you Kara. It is the biggest downside… I will be in touch, especially if we come to Bournemouth again, you had some great tips! :)
That top photo. Made my heart melt. I love it when we go home but it’s frustrating beyond belief. The sitting on the M6 for hours on end makes us all cry at some point on the journey. I’m going to create a way to teleport soon. That will make it all better.
Thanks so much Liz. A teleport sounds just perfect! :) x
I love both those photos – very special times and very cute. I so know what you mean about the amount of stuff that has to travel with you when you have baby. I have enjoyed seeing how our bulk has reduced over the years as DD has grown up. We are now down to two carry-ons, a booster seat (only one more year!), and a small bag for the plane/outings that contains a couple of books and a tablet rather than toys. It gives me a lot of satisfaction seeing our small pile of luggage. (Of course coming back we often have to add a full suitcase ;) )
There’s something just so lovely about that ever reducing stack of luggage isn’t there? Mostly because I usually manage to lose something if we have too much! :D
Oh such a wild mix of emotions we take with us when we travel…
A huge range. Thank you Becky x
I can’t imagine what it must be like for you travelling back and for, it must be unsettling. I think ‘what ifs’ are not worth considering, you made the decision to go and your blog tells the tale of so many positives from going. “Everything I was I carry with me, everything I will be lies on the road ahead.”
Beautiful baby photo, he is a real cutie.
I love that quote. Thanks so much Nikki x
My sister recently moved home from Australia after 6 years. I can so relate to your post from the family left behind. We missed so much as we both had babies whilst she was away. But she loved her 6 years and her coming home was the hardest decision. Trips home were always so special. My second baby even arrived 4 weeks early so that she could maximise time with him. He was due the day she was supposed to be flying home xxx
How is your sister settling back in Louise? It worries me quite a lot! :D I love that she was able to be with you when your baby arrived. I managed two of my sister’s children’s births, but didn’t have quite as far to go! :) xxx
Friends and family are so precious and you will treasure your memories until you see them again. I think we can take for granted people we see on a daily basis so just having a short time can be just as valuable.x
That’s actually very true. And it’s also handy for those you don’t wish to see that often! :D Thank you! x
I always feel like this when I go home to visit my Mam. The upheaval of it all outweighed by the emotion of having your family close which is always so much better face to face
Thanks Sarah x
Those photographs are gorgeous!! Sounds like you had a nice time :) x
Thank you Angela x
If it is any consolation, you have made me heimweh for Munich, not that it was my home, but I still have such fond memories of time spent there as a teen, and the food. Such a gorgeous picture with Great Grandfather!
Thank you Penny x
Must be tricky being away for so long even with frequent visits – my sister is readjusting at the minute after 5 years in Oz.
I am dreading that part! Thanks Erica! :)
I am glad it was nice to be back but nice to be back again. I guess everything has its pros and cons x.
It definitely does. Thanks Jx
You must have very mixed emotions about returning Emma. I would find an expat life very hard, but part of me is very jealous of all the adventures and experiences you are able to give your children.
Thank you Emma. I always think of you when we go somewhere “sciencey” abroad! :) x
The picture with his Great Grandfather is just gorgeous and one to treasure forever x
Thanks so much Jo x
We spent 14 years living down south and I suffered the same feeling whenever we came home. I can only imagine how you must feel living in a different country. I have learned that my home is where my tribe is.
That’s exactly it. Home is a feeling for me, it really is. Thank you x
It was super lovely having you stay and we miss the noisy household now! x
I bet you are still finding things… So lovely to be with you xxx