Exactly 30 days left, well – when I wrote this it was Sept. 1st!

Hi All,

In exactly one month our feet will be leaving England and returning to Santa Barbara soil.  Not sure of what the next 30 days will be like, though our lists are long and I’m thinking this may end up being our last blog entry from Chichester.

Mostyn is ‘cranking’ (his words) on completing his 10,000 word thesis and though the pressure is on, he is confident that the finished product will pass muster.  DUH!  This summer term at West Dean has proven an excellent environment to research, study, and write.  There is only one other Masters horology student (Tabea our ‘adopted’ German daughter) so the ‘workshop’ has been quiet and access to Matthew’s (tutor) time easy. He is certain the timing of this year has been truly providential as next year the class will be at capacity and the ability to do what he has in one year will no longer be possible.  So we thank God once again for  confirming that our year here is all part of His plan for us and for Mostyn’s future career in clocks and conservation.

We had a whirlwind trip to Scotland last month.  Spent lovely time with my family in Dunoon and Dumfries and also visited the Isle of Arran a wonderfully unexpected treat made possible by dear friends the Archer’s (assistant clock tutor) vacationing there themselves.

Scotland was at it’s finest: warm weather, pristine blue sky, heather on the hills, wildlife in abundance, good food and fun with friends and family.  A delayed flight from Glasgow our only glitch.  The highlight of the trip was the Edinburgh Tattoo!  A bucket list item fulfulled for me thanks to cousins Gordon and Janet.  Once again my guts were stirred when 250 pipers entered the venue through the gates of Edinburgh Castle.  Anyone visiting Edinburgh in August must make it a priority to attend this 66 year old tradition.  It is beyond description.  Dancing, drumming, piping, fiddling, fireworks, precision drills with real guns and much more!!

It is hard not to be impressed by this many pipers in one place!

The weather has taken an autumnal turn.  Noticeably  chillier and more showers of late.  Will take it for now as we see it’s really hot and continues to be very dry in California. May even need to turn on the heater before we cast off!

The coast view from Selsey.

We are preparing ourselves for the transition back to US life.  The repairs on the house were about to be completed when the renters found yet another leak upstairs just as the carpet was about to be replaced.  We do hope all is sorted and back in place so our adjustments to 601 is seamless.  Though we joke about not being able to find each other.  Our wee cottage here is quite compact compared to our home.  We were discussing the other day over a great pub lunch at the shore in Selsey, that we are returning to what we know, but we have changed, so we wonder how it will feel and will we ‘remain changed’ or fall right back into our previous routine?  Some things schedule wise will stay consistent i.e. my work schedule, child minding Ryan Lily on Tuesdays, and church on Sundays, etc.  But we do hope to keep things a bit simpler, time to enjoy things and people more and maintain a less stressful pace.  Will give it a try with one car, though have no idea yet what to buy??  Mostyn has decided to send home his trusty steed, the foldable Brompton bike and use that for alternate transportation when needed.  So those of you living in Santa Barbara may see him biking on his wee funky looking bicycle.

The bicycle has now traveled over 1000 miles.

The most difficult part is still facing us.  Packing, but more difficult still is saying our goodbyes.  Knowing we may return briefly next summer helps, but ‘this home’ has greatly captured our hearts and we will truly miss all our dear friends here.

So that’s the news from here.  Looking forward to seeing friends and family soon!:)

Cheers,

Debbie