How did it go so fast?

So I woke up today realising it's the 20th and there're only 8 days left in our little bit of paradise! A pretty depressing thought to wake up to, so obviously I hot footed it right up to the pool for a lovely frappe and to recheck little details, like what I need to be thinking about for my impending move to Luxembourg, and whether or not I've done everything I possibly can on Crete.

The answers are that I haven't even got a little bit sorted for Luxembourg and I think I have 3 sights left to see on Crete (we've done A LOT!). I say 3 sights left, 3 of the big things left. I'm sure you could spend a year (with a car) on this lovely Island and still find something new! It's an incredible place, wandering round town yesterday I was still amazed by the ancient ruins right next to a house barely a year old. I love this crazy place, where the people are so friendly, even if their language does sound, to a foreign ear, very cross and short. I was speaking to the man that we buy yoghurt from and he seemed actually upset that we're heading off, he gave us postcards to take with us. People's generosity astounds me, after dinner last night Dimitri brought out delicious deserts and honeyed Raki (Ben's favourite). How people don't fall in love with this place is beyond me. Or maybe I'm just a sucker for lovely people and sunshine?

I had a lovely email from my LNE (lovely new employer) this morning telling me that the language course I'm doing is all sorted and that if I can I should squeeze in a bike helmet so I can bike around Luxembourg to my classes (she did admit that she thought I'd rather use the car in winter). It's cheerful emails, like the video she sent of the children having a mad dancing moment, that make me less and less nervous about moving to a foreign country and becoming an Au Pair (which is what the next section of the blog will be about). Yes, it's really scary thinking about moving to another country (how am I going to choose which shoes to take?) but when I think of it as another adventure it's not so bad. Everyone wants exciting stories to tell their grandchildren right?

So that got me thinking what are my most exciting stories so far?

I've danced in Poland in an International Arts Festival (yes, living with a Polish family who spoke no English reduced me to tears every single night, and cost my parents huge amounts in phone credit, but I did it!)

I've graduated with a great degree, from one of the most beautifully situated Universities in Britain, most people dream of living in the Lake District and I've lived there for 3 years, which was amazing, if a little cold (heating in student houses appears to be non-existent!)

I've lived in Oxford and Greece for a month or so. That was fun! Oxford is somewhere everyone should experience at least once, it makes you feel more intelligent just being there! And Greece is just perfect, how could you not love friendly people and good food served with beautiful views?

I've ice climbed, and done some amazing walking, and kite surfing and power kiting and all sorts of mad sports that we'd seen on telly and decided to try, with my incredible family. I think this is the thing that I'll tell the grandkids first. All of my fabulous long summer holidays walking and finding the most remote bits of beach. And then the adventures that me and Dad went on, especially the one half ways thorough my A Levels, yes I would have probably got a higher grade in my Religious Studies exam if we hadn't gone walking, but it was a perfect Scotland weekend!

I've been to Bestival with my crazy, wonderful, list-making friend in a very expensive tent and got so mad that I had to spend ages straightening tent pegs in a vice since some fool stood on them (some people have no taste in tents!) That weekend squeezed in so much music I can't even remember the names of all the bands we saw, but we always saw them from the front row :)

Having good stories always makes you realise how incredibly lucky you are.