It only seems like yesterday that we were surrounded by boxes, the contents of our lives packed up in preparation for another country. Another lorry battling to get up the driveway, the shipping container snapping tree branches on its mission to reverse up to the back door…
And it doesn’t seem altogether that long ago that we bade Copenhagen a fond farewell, and looked forward to leaving some things behind at the same time.
It only seems like yesterday that I took that final glance back at the house that was home for two years, and tried not to cry as the taxi left the streets that had become familiar on that last journey to the airport. Not necessarily out of sadness, but for the time that had passed so fleetingly, and for all that we experienced in those two short years. And again, it only seems like yesterday that we sat on the plane anticipating take off, excited but nervous at yet another unexplored land that lay ahead.
It’s hard then to believe then that it has been a whole year already – not that we have been in Munich quite a year yet, that anniversary is still a couple of weeks off – but today I thought of Denmark, the friends that we made, the places we loved the best, and the good memories we have. And what do I miss the most (apart from people of course?) Perhaps our lake, being close to the sea, and that beautiful, beautiful light.
Pia says
The feeling that runs through this post is so familiar, Emma. We’ve left bits of ourselves in so many different cities, and in a way, they all still feel like home. And you have places to look back at, and ones to look forward to. But then, you also a life that’s split up into little slivers. Of people and and cities and traditions. For now, it feels like a good thing. Time will tell.
bavaria says
Thank you Pia. And your answer sums up exactly how I feel, but I could never have said it quite so eloquently! :) xx
helloitsgemma says
a year already.
I love these photos – are you loving Germany as much as you loved Denmark? or is Denmark just different and more special?
bavaria says
Thank you. T’will be a whole year here in a couple of weeks. I know, where has time gone? It’s funny, I think Denmark will hold a very special place in my heart because it was the first place we relocated to as a family, but I actually prefer Bavaria I think. I can envisage staying here for longer, that’s for sure, where as DK was always only a short term option for me. I enjoyed it while it lasted though… :)
Damson Lane says
I lived in Asia for a year, over 10 years ago now, but I occasionally really wish that I could go back and re-visit favourite places and the lovely people I met there. I hope you get to go back and visit the beautiful spot in your photo again one day soon.
bavaria says
Thank you for commenting Kirsty! I might just do that you know! ;)
Erica Price says
Love the idea of living somewhere abroad for a couple of years. Such a great way to experience a place. Sounds like you have lots of great memories.
bavaria says
Thanks Erica! :) x
Helen from The good life mum says
Lovely… time passes fast and if you look back over your fab blog you know that you have relished every moment of that fast year
bavaria says
Thank you lovely Helen! :) xxx
Louise Lloyd says
As ever I love coming to your blog always so beautifully written with wonderful adventures and the photos! I love your photos!! The one of the sky is just stunning. Daddy Lloyd and I talk often of moving, I would love to bring B Lloyd up somewhere where she can feel so proud of seeing and doing things do differently from the “norm” of the UK. Xxxx
bavaria says
That’s so lovely Louise, thank you! I definitely have two little culture vultures on my hands, but sometimes I think it’s sad that they don’t know the traditions and culture of our own country that well. I do worry whether they will have difficulty fitting in if we go back one day! You can’t win really as a parent can you? :D xxxx
Singlemarriedmum says
Gorgeous words Emma and such a stunning picture of that amazing light – so beautiful and peaceful. We’ve moved around a fair bit with the army and I always find it takes 6 months + to properly get into the flow. Never moved anywhere particularly exciting though! And time is flying by. So fast. I can’t say I’ve minded that much this year with my husband on tour – I haven’t wanted to wish it away but hard not to sometimes. Just a few weeks to go now, probably about the time of your first anniversary in Munich x
bavaria says
Thank you. I can’t believe it’s only a few weeks for you until he is home. You must all be so excited! :) xx
Grace says
As ever, beautiful writing, stunning pictures and lots of memories. x
bavaria says
Aw thank you Mum :D xxx
Herding Cats says
Beautiful pictures. I wish I was brave enough to up sticks and move somewhere lese.
bavaria says
Thank you! I think the word stupid is more applicable to me sometimes rather than brave! :D
Midlife Singlemum says
A year already? That’s frightening.
bavaria says
Not quite a year in Munich yet, but yes, a year since we left Copenhagen. Scary huh? :)
farfromhomemama says
Beautiful photo of the lake. Does home still feel like the UK to you? Or have you left your heart anywhere else? My aunt and uncle lived in Canada for many years and when they finally moved back to the UK, they said that they didn’t feel quite like they belonged anywhere any more. I’m fully preparing myself to feel a little odd when we get back to the UK.
bavaria says
Thank you! I think my heart will always be in the UK, and I like think it will be home again one day, but who knows? This current climate could mean we really don’t know where we will end up, and I think I am happy about that, for the time being anyway! I am sure it will feel strange when you move back, but I bet it won’t take that long to adjust! xx
The View From the Table says
Oh I know that feeling well; the anticipation mixed with melancholy and a little bit of doubt thrown in too. Thankfully excitement of new pastures usually overrides it all. We may have a move coming up ourselves next year overseas so it’s very relevant to me. These pictures are fabulous by the way! x
bavaria says
Such a strange strange feeling isn’t it? How exciting for you though, you sound like you may have done it before, but do let me know if you need any tips on anything at all! :) x
Trish - Mum's Gone to says
That Scandinavian light is so beautiful. Can’t believe time has gone so quickly.
bavaria says
Neither can I Trish, neither can I! :D
Kelloggsville says
That went fast.
bavaria says
Incredibly fast! Thank you! :)
MsCaroline says
I didn’t really ‘find’ you until after you’d moved to Bavaria, but I can hear the sadness in your writing, and that lake photo makes me nostalgic – even though I’ve never been there! That light really is simply incredible. They say it takes a minimum of a year to get really and truly settled in somewhere, but you never really leave those other places behind, do you? They just become another part of you.
bavaria says
Thank you Caroline, a lovely comment! I guess the side of me that is sad about it, is that my two where 2 and 4 when we moved there, and that time has just gone in a what seems like a blink of an eye! I think a year is good advice in terms of settling in somewhere new, and we do feel well and truly settled. It is different here, and not in a bad way, I just can’t believe that time has gone! :D
Mary says
Time passes so quickly. It seems to speed up at a rate of knots with each passing year. (Maybe that’s just me?) I see what you mean about the light though – that last photo is just incredible. I’m going to have to have a trawl through some of your Danish posts methinks.
bavaria says
Thanks so much Mary! :) xx
Notmyyearoff says
That’s really gorgeous. Seems like it was a very significant era in your life. Hope it has lovely memories :)
bavaria says
Lots of lovely memories, and some not so lovely ones too :D It was a significant era, you are right though! Thank you! :)