[garinda]

Although it was still in the U.K. I lived half my life living away from this part of the world, though I regularly returned, so still felt very connected to the area. This is where I'm rooted, and I was always proud to be associated with this part of the world.

I honestly imagined I'd never move back, and I thought I'd eventually move to Brittany. An area unlike the rest of France, where the locals are nearly as friendly as here, and is somewhere where I feel I could call home.

Just before I was forty I had a road to Damascus moment, and decided that I wanted to move back to Oswaldtwistle, and it's proved to be the right thing to do. I love being able to see my family more, especially the younger members, who change and grow up so quickly. I've become reaquainted with old friends, and made lots of new ones too. I love feeling a valued part of the community, something that you don't really in large cities, especially London.

It's hard to guess what the future will hold, but at the moment I feel very settled and happy here. I'm lucky, I've got friends who live all over Europe who I regularly visit, so any wanderlust is easily satisfied...at least for the moment.