Hey friends,

Welcome to an evening edition. We got back late last night and I didn't have the energy to write, but it's Wednesday so write I will.

You may have spotted that a new rule was introduced to have a covid test prior to flying back to the UK that came into effect on the very day we were due to leave so we had to scramble to get those done in time. Hassle though it was, I do think it's entirely sensible, along with the comfort of knowing that your fellow passengers have recently tested negative. It also had the added benefit of whittling down the numbers who had their act together meaning we had a row of three seats to ourselves. 😈

What I don't think is sensible is the test to be done within two days of arrival as the most likely place to get infected is on the plane and it's doubtful to show up in a test so soon after. I also can't understand why we're being pushed on private companies. I accept that the cost should be met by the traveller but I'd prefer to pay the NHS, and, as I understand it, it's not a capacity issue.

Anywayyy, it's good to be home!! I didn't expect to say that but it really is. As it turns out I've been missing loads of little quirky things:

• Potable water, straight from the tap.
• Fast internet (a villa thing, rather than Spain thing)
• Duvets (all those layers of sheets you get abroad just aren't the one)
• Driving on the left (I've decided that it makes much more sense as most people are right handed and the greater dexterity should be on the steering wheel, not the gear stick)
• Fresh milk
• My desktop computer (general work like emails, spreadsheets etc were fine but I just couldn't video-edit on the laptop so didn't get half the stuff I wanted to do done)

If I look back at how I envisaged living abroad - it did feel like a long time ✅, we did take a loads of photos ✅, we'll definitely remember it better than a month spent here ✅ and yes, the supermarkets were really fun to wander around ✅

Of course, it wasn't long enough to really embed ourselves in the culture, get to know anyone or learn the language and was essentially just a long holiday but there were a couple of takeaways:

1) Travelling with a baby is bloody hard work. This won't be news to the parents among you but wasn't entirely clear to me before, lol. Packing light wasn't an option, though I admit the Indiana Jones hat wasn't entirely necessary.

2) As far as a change of scenery goes, I reckon a two week holiday would have sufficed but as for the weather and the happiness I derive from sunshine and being outside, I could quite happily have stayed there all winter . Then again, rain = grass = fresh milk. Home is pretty sweet 🥛.

Oh and the car hire company was excellent. I can highly recommend Cicar if you venture to any of the Canary Islands.

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The day before we left our new neighbours had their shed broken into and four bikes stolen and there were as a bunch of other attempted break-ins reported on our road. I guess that's the price of backing onto woodland open to the public. Fortunately everything was as we left it but it's got me thinking more about security.

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As the suitcases went up into the attic, down came the Christmas decorations. Since it was cancelled last year where we live, we're planning to go quite big on decorations for the boy's first. I also have an awful lot of DIY to do so the newsletter shall revert to type soon.

👋

Hit "reply" if you've got any comments on this week's newsletter – otherwise I'll see you next time. Have an epic week :)

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