Sun, Sea and Stripping

                                              

Waxing lyrical 

The beaches in Normandy unfold like pale gold ribbons against the silver-blue Atlantic. They stretch for miles and the sand feels so flat and firm beneath your feet, that you want to walk forever.

If only we could count on the Normandy weather, we would abandon the sardine-packed beaches of the south forever- especially as the shelves of the supermarkets are heaving with Rose wine from there.

This Summer the weather has swung from brilliant sunshine and clear blues skies to violent downpours that darkened the sky within minutes and removed all the petals off of the roses. In July, we watched in horror as hailstones the size of golf balls crashed onto rooftops and Velux windows, dented cars and caused huge amounts of damage.

Wandering free

Later that month, I wandered through Buckingham Palace's crimson-carpeted corridors, beneath chandeliers that dripped crystal teardrops and marvelled at the walls crammed with Canaletto paintings. The gift shop beckoned with soft cream and gold towels and bone china teacups, you just needed to take out a loan to buy anything. The day was finished off with a visit to the Goring hotel for afternoon tea -it truly was a day fit for Princess.

But nothing made me feel more regal than Chateau de Lalande, where Stephanie Jarvis and her team (of Escape to the Chateau DIY fame) greeted us like old friends for Patron day. We were served a delicious lunch which we ate whilst admiring the view of the Chateau whose stone towers rose like something from a fairy tale.

Working till you drop

This summer has not been all sea and sunshine. Whilst stripping out a decrepit heating system—I found myself ankle-deep in generations of dust. Through my mask, voice muffled and throat parched, I shouted to Tim,

"most people are currently lying on sunbeds sipping Penis Coladas you know!" 

His laugh echoed against the grimy walls before he replied, wiping sweat from his forehead, "Don't you mean Pina Coladas?"

 "those as well!" I replied. 

The mercury has hit 30°C again here in Normandy, and there's cause for celebration beyond the sunshine—Bagnoles de L'Orne now boasts its very own Indian restaurant.! With fragrant curries just minutes from home, who needs to battle the crowds and sand anyway? The exotic has arrived on our doorstep.

Heres hoping the sunshine hangs around for a bit longer- ideally until our new heating system is installed.