And so to France....

After about 2 weeks in Hong Kong it was time for me to visit the rest of my widespread family in France. I flew into Paris this time (and took an upgrade to Business Class using frequent flyer points –quel luxe!~- Then I caught the TGV up to Clare’s home in Valenciennes where I spent a few days before she and I drove with my 2 beautiful grandchildren, Abigail and Elliot, down to our house in the South West in the village of Hure (population 476 I think). It was a long trip especially for Clare who did most of the driving. However we arrived at about 2 pm, fell into bed and awoke the next morning to an empty house so we immediately trekked off to the local Saturday market in La Reole to stock up on supplies. It’s a good typical French market with a lot of regional produce and plants and flowers. The atmosphere is always good – and I enjoyed it more in the cooler conditions of Spring.

Jack arrived soon after us (flying direct from HK and taking a TGV to Bordeaux and then La Reole). This time we decided that we would decide once and for all if we would go ahead and plan for a pool in the garden. The house is more comfortable than it was when we bought it but the garden has deteriorated due to our protracted absences. As this necessitated taking out a number of trees I was a bit anxious (and still am). However, we have committed to a pool for the coming summer! I hope that we will enjoy it. The summers in the South West do get very hot these days.

Jack, as usual, spent most of this time working on repairs and burning a lot a old wood that was in the garden as well as chatting with pool people. For Clare and me (and Ilan when he arrived) time flew by, as we were kept busy by two very energetic little people who loved the outdoor life in the big garden. Elliot (now aged 14 months has changed so much in the time I have been here. His very adventurous spirit will keep us busy in the coming years. Abby at three, unsure of whether she is a big girl or a baby, is an excellent communicator in both English and French (and has to translate easily from one language to another when her poor Nana seems a bit dense!)

We were happy to see our neighbours Ray and Phyllis who live in Plymouth but who always spend summer with in Hure, but this time we had the chance to catch up in Spring as well.