I cried when we arrived at la Penderie yesterday. I couldn't help it. It has nothing to do with not wanting to be here and everything to do with leaving my family behind. I don't feel a sense of belonging in the Auvergne and already I miss that feeling.

We had a lazy day. Lying in the hammocks reading and enjoying the warmth. Murron found a monster beetle and a huge dragonfly frightened Rowan in her room. Nick and I are enjoying the chance to just be. It feels so luxurious to have the days stretching in front of us with nothing to fill them.