![\"Coming](\"http:\/\/www.lifewiththetribe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/IMG_0480.jpg\")
<\/a>Arriving back in Abbotts Ann, nothing has changed. In fact, I realise that nothing has changed for centuries here; people may come and go, new buildings may be built, old buildings may be improved, but the ancient hedgerows,<\/p>\n water meadows, brook and all the rest of the village’s rich flora and fauna is pretty much as it was centuries ago. It is as far away from our lives in the desert as we could possibly get. The Tribe embrace the change and as the glorious Hampshire countryside basks in the golden glow and warmth of the last of the summer sunshine, they disappear on adventures with their old friends finding old places – the Dutch barn, a makeshift swing next to Pillhill<\/p>\n Brook, the majestic chestnut trees along the old coach road laden with bright green, spiky casings, a promising bounty of conkers to be had later in the year. We have stepped back in time and although they are two years older (a large part of their lives at this young age), they are relishing their return to an ‘Enid Blyton’ childhood. I am delighted to have our home full of children and friends again. It is as though we have never been away.<\/p>\n I have been asked so many times if I miss Dubai, especially the weather! Well, in reality I don’t think that I’ve had time to miss anything, but what I have absolutely loved about being back is our friends, who I know will always be there for us and of course, having family so much closer.<\/p>\n Our son briefly returned to Abbotts Ann Primary School, however we lost our appeal for our daughter to return – a crushing blow at the time, particularly as we were told that there was “a very significant degree of prejudice the school would suffer, as a consequence of (our daughter’s) admission.” So, we have waved goodbye to what was, our much loved village school, to attend another village school, Amport. We no longer have the beautiful, new facilities and huge, spacious grounds, but we have returned to a smaller, cosy Victorian building and two of the Tribe are at school together again. Just as they should be. The eldest is now at Test<\/p>\n Valley School in Stockbridge and my current school run could be on a different planet to the one I’ve been doing over the last couple of years! I used to love the modern buildings, seeing the ocean on our way to school and of course the stunning Burj Khalifa in the background. Now however, I find myself seeing the countryside through new eyes – I have stopped at the roadside to take photographs of the hay bale towers scattered through newly cut fields, their long shadows making a striking and<\/p>\n evocative picture, with Danebury Hill rising up in the background. I marvel at the quiet, still mist that rolls in overnight to block our view of the fields behind us. The Tribe are still delighted when it rains; the first time getting completely and utterly drenched while we were enjoying supper with friends at The Poplar – it seems that there’s a large puddle near the garden of the pub which creates a ‘wave’ over anyone foolish enough to be standing in the garden. That would be my Tribe. And the littlest, who was still a babe in arms when we left, thinks that puddles are in fact, the greatest joy in the<\/p>\n world, even when wearing totally inappropriate footwear.<\/p>\n Life is busy beyond belief – sorting out a home and looking after 4 children and 3 cats can be challenging at times. Throw into the equation the arrival of a 40′ container from Dubai at the end of the month and you can get the picture. Did I mention that Father of the Tribe is now working in Qatar?! I’m not sure whether this is keeping me young or making me grow even older overnight! But I will continue to observe and relish the vivid and terribly British nature that surrounds us and try to see it through the eyes of the Tribe too.<\/p>\n I will end this month with a quotation from the American novelist, Maya Angelou; we have been so incredibly fortunate as a family to travel and live overseas, I just hope that we will remember that.<\/p>\n “Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all people cry, laugh, eat, worry and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends.” Maya Angelou<\/p>\n (at times completely overwhelmed) Mother of the Tribe<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Arriving back in Abbotts Ann, nothing has changed. 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