June is busting out all over!

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"Mademoiselle où est Decathlon?? "

It is truly glorious here - the roses and the rhododendrons are in full bloom (picture on my home page), the birds are singing and everything is looking very lovely. Tim and I are labouring in the garden before it gets too hot to do anything. It has been very dry here though, I can’t remember the last time we had any rain!

I think I've got tennis elbow and I haven’t even been near a tennis racket. Did not help that I not only fell of my bike (I was being chased by my friend's dog), but I also slipped on the stairs (I know, I should not have been wearing flip flops in the house!). I’ve also had a riding lesson (didn’t fall off that though) and I’ve been using our local outdoor pool in Bagnoles de l’Orne which is heated. It is well worth a visit if you are in the area.

Piscine (Bagnoles-de-l’Orne) | Bagnoles de l'Orne (bagnolesdelorne.com)

Top Tip 


Don't forget that the French are very strict about what men wear in a public pool- no Bermuda type short thingies, budgy smugglers only. They say it is to do with hygiene but I think it's to give the staff a giggle. I've seen many a man turned away (British normally) for not having maillots de bain pour hommes! Our friend Peter was turned away once even though he pointed out to the lifeguard that his shorts were Ralph Lauren!

Unfortunately, I cannot say that after all this activity that I am looking any leaner or fitter. It must be all the rose (I thoroughly recommend Grand Sud Merlot rose, very light and it comes in 1 litre bottles so you don’t have to get up as often). I am also looking forward to some kayaking at Clécy- I highly recommend that for the Summer too.

Lazy days of summer 

Tim and I went into Bagnoles de l’Orne last weekend and it felt as though we were on holiday- the sun was shining, and people were walking along eating ice creams. No bingo machines though or air football -I used to love those! It was so wonderful to see the bars and cafes crowded and to see everyone sitting outside in the sun. We still cannot believe that we live here and that we don’t have to pack up and go back.

French men V British Men 

Something struck me recently and that is how brazenly French men look at women. I also noticed it in Italy recently so it must be a European thing. British men are a bit more discreet. But don't worry, they are not looking at me! it must be all the beige that I wear- I've become invisible, as women of a certain age do.

However,  a very long time ago in  Paris, I did more than turn a man's head. I decide to get up one morning during rush hour and go for a run along the Seine, As I was running along I ran past a guy wearing a suit and carrying a brief case (not unusual I hear you say) however he decided to run alongside me and started talking to me, asking my name, did I live locally etc (all in French of course) I could not believe my eyes!. Perhaps he was looking for the nearest Decathlon to buy some budgy smugglers.

On a more serious note 

We attended the 79th D-day (or Jour J as they call it here) Commemorative service at Bayeux. Seeing the veterans who are in their late 90s was so emotional as every year there are less of them. We then went on to Arromanches (again a must in the Summer) where the mood was a lot lighter with many people dressed up in uniforms and driving old jeeps. We also bumped into President Macron- well I just managed to see the top of his tanned head.  I’m sure he smiled at me even though I was wearing my beige mac!.

Enjoy the sunshine!  

 


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