So tomorrow I set off to start my Year Abroad in Recife, North-Eastern Brazil. At the moment life is full of piles of to do lists and  running around and losing the spare bed under an ever-growing "Brazil Pile". Said pile currently includes some pretty bizarre items and a lack of some pretty key ones (such as clothes)! However, I still maintain that the crucial items to fit in are definitely several inflatable musical instruments (thanks Emma :) ), some patriotic English football things and several packets of instant custard! 

A Group photo from Latin Link Orientation

I got back this week from eight days on Latin Link Training (the Christian charity I'm not technically with but who are being a massive help). It was so great to meet lots of other people heading off across Latin America and spend some time studying the Bible and looking at things like safety, culture shock, Latin American history and even drama. We had loads of fun over the week with particular highlights being a Mexican dancing lesson and a ceilidh on the last night and meeting a couple who'd spent 40 years in Recife (and happened to have gone to the same church as me in Cambridge before that)! 

I'm gradually working through the goodbyes, which has been sad but also made me feel very lucky as I realise how many amazing people there are in my life. The best goodbye so far has to be with my lovely home friend Cat, we were enjoying a very civilised catch-up afternoon tea when all of a sudden a bird pooed on my head. Classic. I should have known I had no hope of a smooth and sophisticated exit!

So Saturday was my last taste for a while of Gloucestershire countryside-ness; the highlight of our village year - the annual Produce and Craft Show! Things had been hotting up in preparation and I had been taking advantage of the chance to be chief sampler of the Butler household. The village show includes some classic competitions, such as  'Heaviest marrow" and, my particular favourite, 'Most comical vegetable,' as well as the annual Tug of War between North and South Woodchester. I'm going to miss life in Gloucestershire! 

Before I head off I just want to say thank you for everyone's support so far. Thank you to all those who are supporting me financially and/or in prayer and also thanks for all the lovely emails, letters and conversations that have been a massive encouragement to me over the last few months. I can't believe the time has actually nearly come to head off but I'm excited to see what this new adventure will bring. Please keep in touch (florencebutler on skype or email at feb36@cam.ac.uk). Looking forward to hearing what this year brings for you too.

Love Flo xxxxx