Judy Polutnik moved to Thame just under a year ago, from Ohio in the USA. She wanted to share with the people of Thame, her wonderful experiences of our fabulous town.
This is Judy's story:
"Goodbye Thame. I’ll miss you.
"What a beautiful little town. I’m so happy I picked this spot on the map. Just the right size, everything you need, close to everywhere you want to go, and the most beautiful countryside! I’ve described your town in detail to all my family and aunts and uncles and cousins back home. They know of your cobblestone streets, thatched roofs, Buttermarket Street, butcher shops, Tuesday market, Thame Festival, and Lighting the Tree. They know my stories of walking the public foot paths and all my favourite places and unbeknownst to you, they even know some of you!
"In just a few weeks I will be on my way back home to Ohio in the U.S. As I sit in the midst of moving madness - what to pack, what to sell, what to ship - I find myself at the keyboard trying once more to capture my memories of Thame so I’ll never forget.
"I’ll miss your beautiful summer. Your island weather is spectacular! It’s a parade of weather. It flies by! Pink clouds, white clouds, they zoom by overhead - flying under a clear blue sky with sunshine and a warm breeze. A dark cloud suddenly looms in the distance and I grab the umbrella or run for the clothes on the umbrella clothesline only to be fooled as it glides on by and doesn’t spill a drop. Other times caught in the rain with a good excuse to stop for tea or lunch. Sometimes just a mist in the air and oh the rainbows! I have never seen so many. I envy your summer light. Those long summer lit evenings till 10pm.
"Never a summer evening without looking up to see a hot air balloon drifting by or stopping to count them all! I’ll miss the summer walks down the path and talks with the farmer who tends his cows and sheep there. I am glad I got to know him and his animals. Such a quick walk and you are out in the country!
"I’ll be one month shy of a year almost to the day for living in Thame, England. How great that I could have this time to really get the feel of the land and the people. It’s been exciting, frustrating, romantic, refreshing and confusing and in any order of those emotions. It’s been a challenge and a thrill to move to a different country but purely pleasant to live here.
It’s all about the people and if you reach out they’ll reach back and they did.
Goodbye Thame. Hope to see you again!"
Judy Polutnik
