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France!

Ah, we are in France and it’s as lovely as ever. This place just seems timeless. While one or two buildings have had a make over every year, and a new shop may have sprung up or gone away, the basics here are absolutely the same it seems year in year. That is except the prices which seem to go up exponentially every year!

This year we drove down in one go, something we always do on th way back but never normally on the way down. It went without a hitch and we arrived late afternoon feeeling a bit stiff but able to jump in the pool and freshen up to start the holiday more quickly than normal. I saw it was easy, of course I didn’t drive but that’s Glenn’s fault - he won’t let me!

The weather has been fab (apparently it’s only just warmed up properly, unlike home where it’s  been hot forever it seems) and we’ve swum, biked, walked and generally relaxed with no dramas. The girls love being here so it really is very easy. As Abi says - pool, sunbathe, iPad or read, eat, repeat!

My only concern this time was leaving the dogs. This time we have Di and Alby at home dog / house sitting, with Natalie (one of the mums from school and a dog walker) coming daily to walk theM properly. Day 1 went well from all accounts, Day 2 apparently Freya was a bit non-pulsed that this same person had turned up again to walk her, and Day 3 she refused to go! So much for my plans. Bertie will clearly go with anyone whose prepared to talk him and went anyway, and got to walk with 2 other dogs which he thought was great. After an inspection it seems Freya had a sore underneath her leg which was rubbing so after some attention and germaline she was all good and I’m informed it’s been fine since then. I’m definitely at the stage where my dogs worry me more than my kids. That will change no doubt as they get a bit older.

One of the nice things about them being that much bigger is we’ve eaten out most evenings for some variety. They’ve complained every night before going but have enjoyed the fact they get to drink orangina and have ice cream. In fact Izzy yesterday opted for only that, no main course. Maybe the whole Camembert I found her eating before we went had something to do with that!

So a few more days in the sunshine then home. The nice thing is we are home on Wednesday evening so I have a few more days to relax and detox (sunshine and a glass of rose over ice is too good a combo) before I have to contemplate work again. Long may the sunshine last!


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