I envy you. About a year ago I wanted to try my luck at cheese making until I found out that because of the way they pasteurize milk in Europe you can't use even the milk from the refrigerated section to make cheese. The only alternatives are to travel about 100km to a dairy that sells raw milk (not practical) or go to a local farm for Goat's milk (not worth the bother).
Making cheese is on my Bucket List, too. I can get fresh local milk from the neighbor.
Glad to hear that your wife is now home, Meant to mention that sooner! :)