Good evening Kitchen ladies. I miss those fabulous little lanes, Izabella. All that frothy cow parsley and blossom and endless bees. We did have that in Normandy and were often treated to curious little Normandy cows - the types with sunglasses and tufty hairstyles - who would come to the fences out of curiosity. Here the grass is quickly like hay, the verges a mass of wildflowers until the sunshine hides all of it in a great big mix of navy blue and orange. So pleased you enjoyed your special trip in a sports car! How stylish.
Nanny&G you have the perfect excuse of never catching up here with all those beautiful flowers to cultivate in your garden. Such a lovely photograph. I think I read that your dentist 'experience' was a success, Puzzler? No bank cards were hurt today? Brilliant that your BP was not off the scale, GrannySomerset. I can well imagine sometimes you feel something like a boiling pot travelling the wrong way on an escalator. Moving forward seems impossible and keeping a lid on everything, out of the question. Do hope that you get enough help - you need some time to relax, like anyone else.
I love sweet peas and pinks but we don't have loads of soil here, so most things are in pots.
Gorgeous flower photos, corner. Not funny about Mr C's arm. I have my favourite Phlebotomists at our local Lab. I never have the tiniest mark on my arm afterwards and since here in France you have blood tests all the time whilst they monitor your health, and I hate needles, this is really important to me. My view is, everyone has to learn but I don't want you learning on me, thanks all the same!
Can't post without sending you a big hug, Panache. I think you're in the minds of us all. x
It is lovely here, dragonfly. We always loved France but never thought that we would end up living here. Over 20 years now. Like anywhere else it can be infuriating and frustrating and there are times when it makes me shout. But, the weather, the kindness of the people, the pace of life, and the proximity to almost everywhere else (for someone who loathes flying), makes us happy for the most part. I feel fortunate to have had lots of interesting experiences and, like you, camping holidays used to be a feature.
Hope everyone has had a slightly better day than me. I woke up and got up in such a good mood. I had some fabulous plants arrive from a French nursery in Northern France. These are things which mean a lot to me but can be hard to find outside England. Two wonderful Clematis, Star of India and Nelly Moser. Lavatera Barnsley, and some Day Lilies. None damaged! Another delivery brought a replacement garlic press for our old one which I broke at the weekend. Another delivery brought some special glue for DH (nothing interesting there). I was still on a high from my outing and abouting yesterday and the weather is again fabulous. A friend 'phoned to say that she has arrived in the village from Switzerland - her Husband is stuck in Canada. They've been forced apart for 8 months because of this. I was really excited and must have sounded like a 5 year old since I haven't seen either of them since last Summer. She didn't say very much and when I finally stopped saying how wonderful it was to speak to her, she told me that her Husband had died in his sleep last night in Canada. He wasn't ill. So we're so sad and shaken and have spent the day discussing, again, whether we should be more aware of our own mortality and just get on and do things, not put anything off for no good reason. Having fun and making memories is what life should be about, in retirement especially. Being forced to live as we have done for all these months, just wasting life, is not a good way to live a life is it? We're so thankful we're here and we've survived, that's true, but I honestly think that if we are all released into a half normal world again soon, in this house certainly we must give ourselves a shake and start thinking about some serious fun. Carpe Diem is the phrase since life is short. Not surprising that on this thread we love to hear about each other's plans and share in the happiness that visits and travelling and outings and family time and small celebrations can give.
Stay safe all of you. Give your loved ones a big squeeze and don't waste any of the time you share together worrying about "stuff". Stuff will be here long after us, we must learn not to give it any importance in our lives.
Have a lovely evening and stay safe.
Hugs from me and France xx
Can't beat a big cardboard box for comfort and fun BladeAnnie.
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