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Hazel continues her ex-pat diary, and this time it is all about visits, at home and abroad...

We have just returned from a trip to Lincoln -Ìý not the time of the year we would normally come to England, but a family wedding brought us back.

It was the first time for eleven years that we had been in England in June. I had forgotten how pretty the Lincolnshire countryside was at this time of the year, with the wild roses in the hedges and the poppies just appearing.

I wonder if those of you who have lived in LincolnÌýa long time realise how much it has changed. Each time I come back I feel more of a stranger despite having livedÌýthere for over forty years.

I think much of this is due to the university which has totally altered the character of the centre of the town, mostly for the better.ÌýIt was lovely to see family and friends, but nice to come back here to our beloved Midi.

Our ancient cat, Topsy, sulked for three hours before deciding she was glad to see us. The oleanders in the garden are now in full bloom, fourteen different varieties in every possible colour. My favourite is "Alsace" which is the palest of pinks, almost white and looks so fragileÌýyet is extremely hardy.

On my Seville orange tree there are hundreds of tiny fruits, about the size of hazelnuts. If they all survive I shall be up to my neck in marmalade next January! Ìý

In two days the first of our summer visitors arrive so we begin a busy time of the year when our lifestyle changes radically. By October we will be tired but glad to have seen all our visitors. Then we slip back into our rather hedonistic routine for the rest of the year!


Are you an ex-pat living abroad? Would you like to write a short ex-pat diary on a regular basis? If so, we would love to hear from you. Email us today at:

lincolnshire@bbc.co.uk

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