Thank you so much for your patience over these last few weeks not just in waiting for me to reply to your lovely comments, but in providing you with a new blog! It’s been a pretty busy month in truth so I thought I’d give myself a little break from social media and I’m so glad I did as I am now able to begin with some wonderful news!
My son Sam and his beautiful wife Elise, who married last year in June, are expecting their first baby in February next year! They told us last month when we joined them and Elise’s parents for our special Thai meal. It was a total surprise, but such wonderful news that it made me cry! I felt incredibly emotional, but unbelievably happy, as life hasn’t always been that easy for Sam, but Elise has made all the difference, and now everything is just as they want it to be. Sam asked us not to share the news until they had their 12 week scan, and as Colin’s daughter Lily was over from Australia for a fortnight, they made the announcement to the rest of the family when we were altogether on the Saturday. Everyone, including the grandchildren was delighted, and I feel incredibly blessed to welcoming another little human being into our family next February. I’m sure the next 28 weeks will fly!
Talking of flying, four days later, I was en route to Corsica with my friend Jo and her two daughters for a weeks holiday in Sari Solenzara. It was a first for us all to be abroad together, and none of us had ever visited the country before, but we have ALL vowed to return as it was absolutely beautiful. It was also a first for me to manage a week’s holiday with just hand luggage! However, I’ve mastered the art of rolling my clothes rather than folding, and having invested in a collection of packing cubes from QVC years ago and a selection of ridiculously small plastic containers for my toiletries I was definitely travelling light! We flew to Bastia in the north, collected our hire car and then I drove us along the coast to Sari-Solenzara in the south. It’s been years since I’ve driven abroad and I was a tad apprehensive, but with nothing more than the occasional dual carriageway to negotiate it was a fabulous journey through little villages and alongside the stunning indigo and turquoise sea.
We’d rented an apartment which was literally five minutes walk from a soft white sand beach with unbelievably clear water, but we made the best of having a car and drove to the freshwater lakes in the Foret Regionale, visited the fabulous Porto Vecchio, mooched about in the markets at Solenzara and dined out with an ocean view in Tarcu. It was interesting to see both French and Italian influences on the island, not just in the architecture and landscape but the people too. The food was fabulous as was the Rose wine, produced from vineyards that were first cultivated there 2,000 years ago. The climate is perfect for grapes and me! – hot and dry – and Corsica is France’s only island wine producer. We only ate out a couple of times though as Phoebe is an excellent cook and created all kinds of culinary delights that we thoroughly enjoyed. The weather was hot and sunny and we swam, walked, laughed, talked, reminisced and made new memories – everything that makes a good holiday great.
Jo and I have been friends for 53 years, and I’ve known the girls all their lives but in spite of the obvious generational differences, we genuinely had the best time. There is something very special about seeing our children as adults and sharing time and experiences with them as adults, but in truth they will always be our children… For Jo and I, as our lives and responsibilities change, our children are stepping into our footprints and we see where they are heading. Not always on the same path, and often with a different view of the future, but fundamentally, where we have been. It makes absolute sense of the circle of life, and for all of it, I am eternally grateful.
As promised here’s a snapshot of some of the best of Corsica – enjoy! And as I’ve barely watched any TV or read much, I’ll save my recommendations until next time! I really hope you’ll have the chance to enjoy this beautiful sunny weather and please do keep in touch here, on Instagram and Facebook.
With my love,
Ali xx
Mary Morphy says
Good morning, hope the sun’s out where you are its bursting through my bedroom window on this bright Saturday morning..and I’m about to get up and clean out the fridge freezer as we’ve run it down..then I’m off to see the surgeon and hopefully hear more about when my achilles reconstruction will take place…I’ve been in constant pain since last May and I’ve just about had enough!
I hope you caught up with my last blog reply..my sister is healing incredibly well after her surgery and is now driving..having an automatic car means she’s not constantly changing gear so not doing too much movement with her left arm and shoulder.
Your photo’s and holiday stories are wonderful, and i am thrilled for Sam and Elise….I hope Elise feels well throughout her pregnancy. The time will fly by although fromm experience, when its you that’s pregnant it doesn’t!
I loved that you went away with your bestie and her grown up children..I love spending time with Chloe and at 24, we love the same things no matter what my age is and laughter and fun is non age specific. Whilst I’m on school holidays I’ve loved spending time with Chloe especially as she now has her own home and I have missed her so much..infact she is over later for a bbq, her partner Tom is a West Ham season ticket holder and its the first match of the season today so he will be missing…but no doubt she’ll take him a plate of food home.
Only two weeks left of school holidays.its been really really hot this week and on the hottest day, Monday, I was sanding and oiling the oak shelves that sit on my kitchen window sills..they look great again but gosh did I sweat!
Anyway, I’m off to clean the fridge..have a good weekend.
Love Mary
Alison Keenan says
Dear Mary, we could certainly do with some of that sunshine today! It’s pouring with rain here, but lovely to hear from you and apologies for my very late reply on the previous blog! I do hope you got on well with your achilles surgeon and that he can come up with solution to make the pain go away. Sooo debilitating! Thanks for your kind words about Sam and Elise and your right the months will no doubt fly by for us, but poor Elise is still being sick, so fingers crossed that will sort itself very soon. I think you’ve coped incredibly well without Chloe in your life – I always knew from what you wrote that you two are very close so I’m glad that she’s coming back to see you regularly while you’re off school. I’m sure she misses you too! I can’t believe the end of the school holidays are so close – it only seems like yesterday Lucy and Honey broke up! I don’t envy you the fridge cleaning – hope it didn’t take too long 🙂 Enjoy the rest of your time off and thanks for keeping in touch as always, love Ali x
Roz says
Hi Ali. Corsica looks and sounds wonderful and just the place my husband and I would like. I have never travelled with just hand luggage! My toiletries take up so much space so pleased you seem to have got it down to a fine art. Even for a long weekend to our caravan I seem to take lots – which I know I do! Glad you had a nice time. Lovely news regarding a lovely little person coming into your world. I too cried when my son and partnered told us both and she is 2 years old now. Nearing the end of our construction work which is worth it. You know, every day I say in my head, “thank you” for what I have and think of some people who are not so fortunate- I think you and a lot of people will resonate with that. Will say bye for now.
Alison Keenan says
Hi Roz, yes Corsica was glorious and I am certain both you and your husband would really enjoy a trip there. As far as travelling light is concerned, if I did it again, I think I’d buy the shampoo, conditioner and sun products at the Airport Boots as it would safe having to decant everything! How lovely for you to have a two year old granddaughter – they are all such a blessing and your sentiment most definitely resonates with me. Stay well, and I hope you’ve had a chance to visit the caravan again while the weather was fine! Take care, love Ali xx
Loraine Plumb says
Hi Alison wow what lovely photos and memories with your friend and her daughters looks lovely. Just over 3 weeks till we go to Venice can’t wait, but unfortunately before we go our son Gary has a operation on his sinus etc, he has been given numerous sprays but turns out after years he has a problem where his face is different one side to the other and luckily only shows on the scan but would get worse if not treated it’s very rare only 100. Cases in the world. Luckily it should rebuild itself over 3 years and his nose should feel clearer, he starts his new job Monday which has lifted his spirits as he will get a big pay rise and it’s the position he wanted but they know all about it and he can go back when he is ready I will be glad when it’s over. We like you have had the girls for sleepovers bless them. On Saturday we are being treated to a show and meal with Clare and Geoff as a belated retirement for Les looking forward to it. Many many congratulations to you on your upcoming grandchild lovely news. Take care and love all your news love Loraine btw I’m not spelling my name wrong it’s funny most people think I am. 🤣
Alison Keenan says
Hi Loraine, not much longer before you go to Venice and I’m sure you’re excited! I do hope that Gary’s operation went well and that he continues to enjoy his new job. No doubt with his health improved it’ll be even easier for him to get back into the saddle as it were and it’s good that the company are so understanding. Did you enjoy your show and meal with Clare and Geoff? I really hope Les is settling into his retirement well and not feeling out of kilter too much? Many thanks for your kind words about Sam and Elise’s baby… can’t wait! Take care and enjoy your holiday, love Ali xx
Rachel Anne says
Dear Ali
Thanks for sharing your wonderful news about Sam and Elise expecting their baby. It’s such a wonderful thing for you all to look forward to. I cried when I found out both times that my daughter said she was expecting. It’s such an emotional thing.
Your photographs look fantastic and you’ve inspired me to go to Corsica next year. This year we’re off to Rhodes in early October as it won’t be quite as hot!
I love that you have friends from a long way back. I celebrated 40 years of friendship with 2 friends this year. Never a cross word in all those years. They are like sisters to me and we’ve gone through many ups and downs as I know you will have too. Nice not to have to explain things – they just know!
Look forward to reading your next blog and seeing your beautiful photos.
Take care lovely Ali,
Rachel x
Alison Keenan says
Hi Rachel, it seems as though all prospective grandparents are emotional when told this kind of news! How lovely for you to have two grandchildren to love. Corsica was delightful and I am certain that if you visited it, you’d love it! We went to Rhodes some years back and it was incredibly hot so I do think that a holiday in October will work better for you – enjoy! I’m glad that you, like me, have kept in touch with some of your friends for over 40 years. It really does make for a special relationship especially when life isn’t that straightforward and as you say, there’s no need to explain things… I do hope you’ll enjoy the next blog – should have it up by the end of the month. Take care, love Ali xx
Fiona says
I have not been, but looks beautiful.
Sun , good food and wine.
and if course great friends.
Xx
Alison Keenan says
It’s the perfect recipe for a great holiday Fiona! Thanks for getting in touch, love Ali xx
Karen Brooker says
Hi Ali, fabulous news about Sam and Elsie. How lovely. Your photos of your holiday look amazing. What a glamorous group of ladies you made! Looks beautiful there. We had a lovely weekend last week attending our nieces wedding in Canterbury. Was really lovely and the first time we had been to a ceremony outside. Was really beautiful and the sun shone all day. No date yet but the next family wedding will be my son’s. Cant wait to see my only ‘baby’ finally get married. Take care xx
Alison Keenan says
Dear Karen, you’re right! It is indeed fabulous news and we’re seeing Sam and Elise on Monday so we can catch up properly with them then. The holiday was indeed memorable, and thank you for the compliment – I’ll pass it on to the girls 🙂 So glad you enjoyed the wedding and the weather was kind, and I’m sure your son will find the right person and then you can help him organise a cracking wedding! I do though feel sorry for anyone getting married today – it’s been raining since last night! Thanks for getting in touch, and enjoy the rest of August, love Ali xx
Loraine Plumb says
Hi Alison just a quicky, the meal turned out to be a surprise party at a local venue with friends and family we were so shocked that’s an understatement some people haven’t seen for 40 years, Clare and Geoff Gary and Lamis had been planning it for over 6 months, even Willa and Ottilie kept the secret so lovely. Xxx
Alison Keenan says
Oh Loraine that’s wonderful! How kind of Clare, Geoff, Gary and Lamis, and well done to the girls for keeping it a secret – I’m sure you had the best of times. Love Ali xx
Tina T says
Hi Ali, huge congratulations about Sam and Elsie – such lovely news!
Your holiday to Corsica looks and sounds amazing and the photos are great!
I wish I could just take hand luggage – my problem ia always too many toiletries! 😆
I am going away for a few days in September to Suffolk (fingers crossed the weather is ok).
As usual lovely to hear from you.
Take care.
Love Tina xx
Alison Keenan says
Hi Tina, and thanks so much for your kind words re Sam and Elise. It is indeed lovely news and the weeks are already flying by! I do hope you enjoy your time in Suffolk and I will keep everything crossed that the weather will remain warm and dry for you. At least you don’t have to worry about what NOT to take if you’re going by car 🙂 Take care, love Ali xx