Home

Home again to the house in a French village where my heart, without much forethought, landed.
Back from my spiritual, ancestral Home in East Anglia where the Suffolk, Norfolk beaches as well as Sussex coastal paths, call me to watch waves, listen to the pummeling of the sea against the pebbles as I walk against the wind and yearn for whatever it is that beckons as I look to the horizon.

Home alone again. Distant are dearest friends and family.
Missing much,  yet as I post, I'm only 36 hrs on terra franca,  having said 'Hello' to my lovely house just 12 hrs ago.  I had a wonderful time but without enough time to be with those I love. Life is good.

For my return journey I booked a hotel at Boulogne-sur-mer only to arrive and discover the booking had been cancelled. However, a room was provided and I entered the cool room, closed the door behind me only to think "o - oh".  With Goldilocks eyes getting wider and wider I realised someone had been sleeping in the bed ... (my luck was not in!).   The next room had a self-flushing toilet. The French system sometimes does this. I waited more than a few moments after the third visit to the reception desk, desperate to fall into bed all by myself, until the MAN came and stopped the waterfall rushing down the pan.  I needed to slow my mind after 9 hours of journeying in HOTHOT weather.

It is 50 years since I walked the ramparts of the Boulogne fortified village.  I was a schoolgirl on a French language improving visit.  On the return ferry I experienced a first kiss; a first french kiss with a sweet but forward French boy, whilst the gang of my girl friends who'd pushed me into him cheered me on!!!!!  I was naive before that and for many years afterwards, not realising the power one can inadvertently have, but now, at last, I have grown up! Those were the days my friend!

At Étaples I had THE most wonderful dish of HOT moules and frites for an early lunch following an expresso coffee.  Unusual for me! Then I abandoned all DESIRE to walk on a French plage as traffic and heat was unprecedented.  Quick! ... to the autoroute, where travelling was a breeze. Bienvenue to HEAT. May it please LAST. I love it hot even if I do have be in a cool room for some of the time.

I can't believe I am living solo such a long way from anyone and of course my grand daughter, dear friends and family.  However, onwards and upwards as someone says. There is so much to do but I don't work at a mile a minute any more!  I wish to be out and about, travelling like Toad, but I must control the twitchy feet for the semi-nomadic lifestyle of which I dream and enjoy HOME and finish the paintwork, until I've assessed the damage to the budget!

Back posting

Experiencing company and travel since July 3rd has kept me from posting but will update asap..... meanwhile... the sun shines and oh... isn't it lovely........

Birthday July

 My poetic cousin sent this beautiful birthday gift:

 Happy Birthday to you......

Have a good one wherever you are

Enjoy the sunshine

The smiles

And a glass or three of wine

 Think how lucky you are

To be whole

To be able to smile

And have fun

 And enjoy a glass or three of wine

 To have a family

So full of smiles

Lots of laughter

Troubles too at times

But a joy able to share

With a glass or three of wine.

Such lovely words from a so very thoughtful woman who has faced the stuff of life that I hope never to face.  
A brave woman...a cherished woman...a loving life woman...a special woman... a daughter of Ivy...

Morris dancing

Today was my son's birthday ... but he's not with me. He's Eco building in the Lothian whilst I'm back in Southwold, my spiritual site with not enough time for walking far, as I promised to be with a cousin with a hobbly foot on account of her bunion op.  Off we hopped to the local hop and enjoyed a half of Adnams...to watch clog dancers. I was lucky enough to be bedecked with two ribboned spools and dance a column dance to "Nelly the Elephant" ... 1,2,3, hop (forwards and back) 1,2,3, hop....

Locks on the ile de Ré

Since Medieval times there have been locks which are fishing areas around the lle de Ré where the sea is surrounded by containing stone walls.  The locks break the swell of the tide and protect the shore.  However, there are only about 12 left on the island when at the beginning of the century there were about 140. Building these is an irreplaceable maritime art and took up to between 10,000 and 20,000 man hours as well as the the continual and ongoing maintenance involved.   The stone is naturally fragile without cement.  Of course the removal of oysters from the stones also causes damage.  ADEPIR is a Society for the Protection of these locks and evidently one can volunteer one's services to help maintain the locks. Certain people have fishing licences and rights to collect the fish from these locks.