​September 2022 will always be remembered as the month Queen Elizabeth II died. Many of us were surprised how much we were affected by her passing. My late Dad was born in the U.K. and I can carry a U.K. passport. Those of us from Commonwealth countries have a connection that is hard to describe to those outside of the Commonwealth. Her passing reminds us of a set of values and work ethnic we might never see again… in quite the same way.
​​For around 25 years I have managed to not mislay a Buckingham Palace ruler I bought on a past visit. I hope it hangs around my desk, despite its well-used appearance, for many years to come reminding me of everyone’s bonus extra Distance Grandmother. 

​Do you live in Tauranga, New Zealand and/or do you know an expat, migrant or distance grandparent who does? I will be at the Everything Books Fair on Saturday 8 October. I would love to chat with distance family members living in the Bay of Plenty. 

​​A line I frequently use is, “The answer’s ‘no’ unless you ask”. We all love to read book reviews. They can be so helpful. If you have read one or both of my books I would LOVE an online review… please. Here is a link to make it super easy. If you haven’t read a book yet, here is a shop link.

​The big news is that we presently have our 20 year old U.K. grandson staying with us. It’s his first visit to New Zealand so lots of new experiences and family to meet. We’re taking him on what we call in NZ a ‘tiki tour’… a road trip to see the country. After that he’ll be looking for a shared flat/apartment and a job in Auckland for a few months. It is lovely to have him here and reminisce about our many trips to the U.K. as he grew up.

Still on the subject of visits, with the impending Christmas visit of our young U.S. grandsons I have planted strawberries. They seem to be doing pretty good. I hope the lads can pop out the back door each day and pick a few. ​

​Today, as I start writing this newsletter it’s the first day of Spring in the Southern Hemisphere and the first day of Autumn/Fall in the Northern Hemisphere. It is such a pivotal calendar point for Distance Families.
​Northern Hemisphere expats who have recently moved for new assignments are hunkering down and hoping their off-spring are coping okay at their new schools. While ‘downunder’, many of us have travelled north during the North Hemisphere summer and are coming out the other end of another Covid winter. We’re two thirds the way through the school year and hoping this coming summer will be something close to normal… whatever normal is. 

Being a Distance Son or Daughter brings with it a unique set of emotions – every minute of every day you are geographically distanced from family. Few of the associated emotions are talked about over the kitchen table family visits. Here’s a free chapter titled ‘Unpacking Emotions’ from Being a Distance Son or Daughter

​Now that many of us are ‘back home’ and riding out the next few months, until some will enjoy Christmas visits here is my own article about how to include family when they live abroad.

​With Spring comes a sense that New Zealand is finally opening up again. Events that haven’t been on the calendar for 2+ years are finally being staged. That includes small events like public library talks and book fairs. If you live in Auckland or Tauranga please check out the upcoming, in-person events here.

In the meantime Zoom is here to stay and this week I had the opportunity to talk with residents of Ryman Retirement Villages sharing thoughts about distance grandparenting.

​I also connected with Italian expat coach, Barbora Gemmelove. We filmed a talk that will be on the programme for her early October, third Language and Mental Wellbeing conference for expatriates. Do check this out. The line-up is excellent. ​

Have you heard of Bookshop.org? It is one of the great success stories of Covid. If you live in U.S.A., U.K. or Spain you may order a book online, have it delivered to your door and choose a local independent bookshop to receive the profit - keeping that income recycling in your neighborhood. What a wonderful initiative. I can’t wait for Bookshop.org to set up in New Zealand. Here is a terrific video explaining Bookshop.org's story and a link to my SHOP page where you’ll find easy links to purchase my books from Bookshop.org. ​

​Inside, we’re in preparation mode. Our U.K. grandson is coming to New Zealand for a GAP year and we’re looking forward to hosting him from time to time. And at Christmas two of our overseas adult children and two other grandchildren will be visiting. Rather than invest in a bunch of new furniture I love these lime green, fold-up mattresses I’ve acquired that will ‘do the trick’ for the six and eight year old. We videoed their room the other day and the boys loved seeing where they would stay.