I guess I should have saved my last post title for this one, because now I really am 'back in business'. Since we have finally returned to Alba and I will have a lot more free time on my hands with the children in school, I started another part time job at a large manufacturing company here. I was unexpectedly offered a very flexible position in my host family's company as a kind of 'English consultant' among other things. So I went in this morning for the first time just to get set up, but we'll see how it goes. At least this way I can earn a little bit of extra spending money. Once again, God is good. :)

Anyway, as mentioned before, we went back to the beach this past weekend for some more time in the sun. Sailing is something that I've been wanting to experience for a very long time and I finally had the opportunity to do so on Saturday. We could not have asked for more perfect weather! Well...yes, we could have asked for a little bit more wind. We were able to use the sails for a little bit and enjoy the serenity of quietly being pushed off into the sea. However, we moved just a bit too slowly to stay on schedule (even with our help of manually blowing into the sail), so we had to also incorporate usage of the motor.

It was an all day adventure in which we embarked early in the morning towards a little private island off the coast of Alassio. We had an aperitif on the way and then enjoyed some swimming/snorkeling around the island along with great people watching from the various other boats anchored there. Afterward, we had a very typical, but nonetheless excellent, Italian lunch with three courses and multiple deserts and wines. Sailing home alongside the dolphins, I couldn't help but think that to do that full time wouldn't be such a bad way to live. Back at the port in Finale Ligure, there was an Inter-European competition of sailing vessels, some dating all the way back to the late 19th century. All in all it was a great day with great company.

Yes, I did learn to love the beach this summer. However, I'm glad that it has come to an end and I can finally get settled in one place for a bit. Alba is now my home for at least the next three and a half months.