We made it...

There was a real sense of 'We made it though the winter' in our family and our town today. Children set off on their return to school in full daylight, and families spent a sunny afternoon together yesterday, down at the Coulée Verte. For us there's the knowledge that my virus is finally being beaten by the treatment, and the increased energy that a combination of health, sunshine and steroids ;( brings!

Son 1 may still be limping after breaking his ankle in the January snows, but he is back on full form and his activity, along with his brother, has known no bounds in these last few days of the holidays.

The sense of release may also come from the fact that our town knows it has been very lucky - many people in France suffered badly, and a number have died, in the storm that swept through Europe on Saturday night. We were barely touched and I think there is a sense of gratitude and opening up as the spring weather reaches us in the wake of the tempête.

I managed my two school lessons today without much difficulty, although I hardly feel I have been away, having just 'lost' the intervening weeks! My students feel differently, though, and it is good to see them.

I will be taking it very easy now (OK, Angela?), teaching only three pupils between now and my next session in school on Friday. Other than that, I will focus on really getting well and enjoying the spring, however it presents itself - gusts, gales, sunshine or showers...