Saturday 21 June 2014

Seven Years

Posted by Rosie

Seven years ago today, June 21st 2007, we brought the boys over to France to see for the first time, the place that was going to be their new home.

They were rather small:


And the house and gite to be were rather different:

Our house then

The gite to be

On that day, for the first time, we allowed the boys to head off for a short walk in an unknown place, totally on their own, down the public footpath that leads from our back gate. We told them to stay together, to not go far and to not be too long.  It seemed like an absolute age that they were gone but they came back safe and sound and agreed they would like to live here! It was the beginning of a great seven years.

In those 7 years they have had a wonderful time here at Eco-Gites of Lenault.  They have:

  • seen animals mate (playing trains as it was known back then!), be born and die;
  • held new born animals;
  • eaten the freshest of fruit and veg from our own garden;
  • eaten meat from animals we have reared;
  • had more freedom than they could ever have had back in Kent;
  • met with hundreds of guests and volunteer helpers from countries all over the world who have visited or stayed here;
  • made dens, collected more sticks and climbed more trees than you could think possible;
  • messed around in the stream;
  • got muddy on a regular basis - very muddy!
  • seen red squirrels, deer, hares and buzzards etc on a regular basis and
  • become bilingual!

Not a bad seven years and not a bad place to have your childhood don't you think?
I wonder what the next seven years will hold?
 
A place to call home


Mud Mud Marvellous Mud - Outdoor Play Party

22 comments :

  1. A wonderful seven years and what fabulous experiences to have had.

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  2. It sounds like they've had the perfect childhood, lots of freedom! Here's hoping you have another fantastic 7 years (and more). #countrykids

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    1. I am not sure it is perfect but it's getting close!

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  3. Wow, that sounds idyllic! What a wonderful place to grow up. Congrats on reaching seven years. Popping over from #countrykids

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    1. Thank you Joanne - it the sort of childhood I had and I really wanted the same for the boys.

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  4. All of that freedom to roam sounds like a wonderful way to spend childhood. Wishing you as much happiness in your next seven years.

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    1. Thank you Keitha - it is certainly more like a childhood of old I think and the boys love it.

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  5. They and you are so lucky, I would love to move to France and I could only hope to offer the children a rich and beautiful life as the one you have given yours. Stunning and I am green with envy! #countrykids

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    1. There have been some hard times too but overall it as a great move to make coming to France.

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  6. Wow! What an idyllic way to enjoy growing up. I bet 7 years has flown by! Here's to the next 7! x #countrykids

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    1. They certainly have flown by - and the boys have grown so much!! Scary!

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  7. It looks like a wonderful life for your children.

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  8. They are so tall and big now!!!! Happy anniv! This made me excited your post. I was like looking forward to my son growing up too. It got me excited. What is going to happen to me in 7 years???? Congrats to everything and I hope that your life will flourish some more =) #CountryKids

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    1. Shall we stop by in 7 years time then and see what has happened?!

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  9. I think they are having the best childhood! One they would look back on with so much good memories to remember :) #CountryKids.

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  10. It sounds like it was a great decision to move to France and the children have benefited in so many ways having such great outdoor fun and adventures. Here's to the future and family life and happiness, thanks for linking up and sharing with Country Kids.

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  11. What fabulous things to grow up experiencing.

    #countrykids

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