France!

I’m writing this as we head home 2 days earlier than expected due to the now ever-present threat of coronavirus. Cases in France are rising and although the UK government hasn’t yet slapped a quarantine on travellers returning from here, there was a lot of talk of it on Friday and we just didn’t want to run the risk of having to spend 2 weeks in isolation for the sake of 2 more days of sunshine. So home we go - it all feels a bit too soon. 

This trip to the Dordogne has been wonderful, one of the best we’ve had in years, despite the scorching heat and therefore rubbish sleep. As always Glenn has finished the holiday saying never again because he didn’t sleep a wink last night (nor did I given his huffing and puffing), but come Christmas when we are thinking about summer holidays it will no doubt be top of the list again! The kids have enjoyed themselves immensely- hardly a cross word and not a single “I’m bored” - some kind of miracle!

Part of the reason it’s been such a good trip has been that we were joined by Simon and Sharon, possibly the only couple we know we can travel comfortably with. They’ve known the girls since Izzy was 6 weeks old and it’s easy company for all. Simon and Glenn rose together some days but not all (they have different tolerances for the heat), and Sharon and I even went out on one ride together as well - I think that was enough for her! Having not ridden in ages, I was a bit slack on kit and my Garmin wasn’t charged properly and ran out of battery just when I needed it to get us home. My sense of direction was up to its normal standards and I managed to take us up a big hill rather than sticking to the riverside. Poor Sharon’s asthma kicked in half way up (she didn’t have her inhaler because she too hasn’t  ridden in ages), and so she ended up walking the hill and making it clear that a flat route home would be preferable. Easier said than done unfortunately and in the end we got Simon to pick her up and I rode the last 10 miles (uphill) home on my own. I went out again 2 days later all charged up and got (slightly) lost again and this time was at least able to work out which way to head - progress indeed. Regardless of the mishaps it was lovely to be out on my bike again - I forget how much I enjoy it - maybe the push I need to start cycling again at home.

The kids have spent the entire week in the pool as normal - it seems being that bit older now doesn’t change the fact that they love to mess about in the water for hours on end. Despite not having swum in ages they soon reacclimatised and we’re diving in and swimming like fish in no time. Of course we are now at a stage where we don’t even need to watch over them - how things have changed from those early days when we had to be there ever moment of the day. 

One of the loveliest parts of the holiday has been that Abi and I have walked every evening for an hour or so together. This has partly been so she can try and persuade me to agree to having a Great Dane as our next dog, but whatever the reason we’ve had some amazing conversations and I’ve treasured the time together. On the first night however we had a surprising find - we came across a ring kitten which looked to have been dumped in some woods on our route back. Having looked to see whether it could have come from somewhere we concluded there was nothing for it but to take it back to Jerry and Pauline (feeling guilty about passing the buck to them). They were very gracious and set about making sure Pumpkin (as Abi christened her as we carried her back that night) was ok. Poor little thing was very skinny and wolfed down g to be milk and food given to her. Given they had already been landed with another kitten by daughter Sian a few weeks ago, this wasn’t ideal but they at least knew what to do. Boots, the other kitten, is a complete character and made himself a firm favourite with the girls all week. He’s into everything and very playful so they spent a lot of time variously playing with him and fishing him out of inappropriate places (cupboards, fridge and washing machine to name a few!). If he could have come home with us he would have done - thank goodness for Glenn’s voice of reason! 

So even though it’s only been a week we’ve had a brilliant break. As ever I relaxed as soon as I got there and even the lack of decent sleep due to the heat doesn’t diminish it for me. I’ve walked miles every day,   swam and cycled and generally
made the most of the sunshine (from under a sun umbrella - no one needs full Dordogne sun!) I’ve even read my book in the daytime - a sure sign I’m properly on holiday. 

While I’m sad we’ve had to come back early at least we now have another week at home - I’m going to get to some yoga classes, get the kids sorted for school (eek - uniforms!!) and enjoy the rest of my break before I head back to work and whatever that will look line for the coming months. One thing is certain - Coronavirus isn’t easing up yet and so at least I’m not facing into months of winter commute.