One of the perks of being an ex-pat is the annual company paid home leave. Maybe it's not really a perk, but a requirement. If they didn't include it in the package, many people would not accept the assignment. We learned from our time in Belgium that the company only pays for the flights. Home leave can get expensive if you need to pay for accommodations and rent a car. Now that we have a US base in Westport Point, MA and a car waiting there, it is much easier. It feels a bit like 2013 had two home leaves, one in June and the other in August.
The timing of our June trip was to attend the wedding of our niece, Cathy, in Puerto Rico. It was a very special event that I would never have missed. Before the wedding, we visited my parents in PA since they were unable to make the trip. My sister, Janis, and her family stopped by too.
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| the grandparents with their youngest grandchildren |
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| sisters! |
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| brothers-in-law |
The timing was especially nice because it was also Father's Day weekend.
No photo shoot of Tom and Alicia is complete without some clowning around.
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| Please, stand over there. They did. |
Before going to Puerto Rico, we were also able to see Sarah and Anthony. More silliness!
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| I know where the silliness comes from! |
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| they had the giggles too |
We were also able to get a good family shot, thanks to Anthony and my favorite, the girls together.
Most of the family came to Puerto Rico and we were able to spend a few days together.
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| El Conquistador Resort has its own beach |
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| three sisters in one place - yay! |
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| the men |
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| the bride and her sister |
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| pretty in pink |
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| the happy newlyweds, Cathy & Mark |
Home leave part two was in August. Tom and I spent two weeks together enjoying our vacation home in MA. One of the highlights of this time was the purchase of a double kayak. We now can stay together more easily when out on the river. We still have the other two and can now have four boaters out at once.
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| Tom and our new toy |
While in Westport, I did quite a bit of walking on the beach or on Gooseberry Point.
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| path from parking lot to beach |
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| almost there |
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| remnants of a sand fortress |
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| I watched this gull catch the unlucky crab |
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| palm tree out of seaweed! |
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| mermaid with seaweed hair |
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| the beach is a great place for kite flying |
Views of Gooseberry Point:
While we were in MA, Tom and I also connected with his cousin, Steve and his family. I neglected to get any pictures of Steve or Deb, but I did not miss my chance to photograph their daughter, Holly, in her hockey gear. Tom and I are hockey fans so a chance to see her play was a no-brainer. She is entering her sophomore year of high school and is the only girl on her team. Since she's the only one with long ponytail, she's easy to spot.
After Tom returned to Switzerland, I took a road trip. First stop was in CT to collect my sister, Karen. She helped with the driving while we continued on to PA to visit our parents.
Next stop, NJ. Here I did quite a bit of shopping since everything is so much more expensive in Switzerland. I had another chance to see Sarah.
I also joined a tennis buddy for a day at the US Open. I've been to both the French and US Open this year. Hopefully, I'll get to the other two grand slam tennis tournaments (Wimbledon and Australian) sometime in the future.
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| the view from Ashe stadium |
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| Jodi and I outside Ashe stadium |
As a Chase customer, Jodi had access to the Chase Lounge where there were snacks, a photo-op, a free hat and clean bathrooms. Definitely a good deal.
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| inside Ashe stadium |
We enjoyed watching the future of American tennis.
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| Bradley Klahn |
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| Victoria Duval |
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| Christina McHale, from NJ |
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| Jack Sock |
Also some people that have been around a lot longer.
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| Roger Federer |
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| Daniela Hantuchova |
For my last hurrah, I returned to MA for some more R&R. I also had a visit from two friends. We took a trip over to Newport to see some other summer cottages. Downton Abbey fans should go on the Servant Life Tour at The Elms = fun.
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| Lynn and Sherilyn |
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| Chinese Tea House on the property of Marble House |
We had dinner together at the Back Eddy restaurant seen here from the other side of the river.
I also had to
walk on the beach again before I left. I learned that all the lifeguards
and their chairs are gone after Labor Day. Don't worry, the gulls are
still on duty.
The weather was beautiful most of the time we were in Westport which makes it even harder to leave. Bottom line: I love Westport! See you next time!
