You make it all sound idyllic, a perfect writing spit and a real home. It show home can be transient and what you make of it. I am looking to find somewhere to finish my memoir. Can’t wait for the next instalment. 😘😘
To be honest, Jo, I’m still pinching myself that we’re doing this. It rained all day today and I didn’t care at all. You’re right that this is proving (to me, at least) that home can be transient and it’s more about purpose and surroundings and people. I’m keeping a list of things I miss about home, both items and feelings, to see if that changes over time.
I hope you can find yourself a nice place to finish your memoir. Brilliant that you are doing this 🥰 xx
Thanks Antonia. I’m definitely feeling quite settled now that we’re starting to establish a rhythm to our days and have made the distinction between working and relaxing.
38?! Wow! I would be melting! I am not good in the heat. Praise be fur air con 🙌🏼.
Yes, I think a pergola would be good. 🌱
Re the gulls, possibly a culmination of things…we’re close -ish (as the gull flies) to the council tip, we are up the Severn estuary (not that close to the river though), plus there’s a lot of houses being built in the area. And bad luck! 🤣
Hannah! I’ve been rather slack at reading my Substacks lately, so am just catching up. This is delightful! I’m so glad you love where you’re staying. It would be so disappointing if you didn’t. I am loving reading your French adventures! 🥐
I wish I could enjoy sitting out in my own garden. We are nowhere near the coast, yet there are so many gulls here, it drives me nuts. They’re so loud and big. It’s a risk going out there! 💥 We need to research pergolas or similar. Husband’s issue is that whatever we put up will end up needing to be cleaned, due to the gulls’ bombing raids! 😖🤣
Oh no, those gulls sound very frustrating. I wonder what they’re so attracted to? A pergola sounds like a good idea. Perhaps you could grow a plant like a vine up and over it so it wouldn’t be so obvious when it gets bombed?!
We couldn’t be happier with the house. It’s ideal. We’re very glad of the air con right now as it’s currently 38 degrees! 🥵
Oh how lovely to get to read your french adventure diary!
Looking forward to more.
Love France and the French language. Ahh and the croissants...I will be sixty next year (yikes!) and hope to go to Paris with my daughter as a birthday present to myself.
Was there for 3 months in 1985 and France has had a place in my 💙🤍❤️ ever since.
A trip to Paris to celebrate your 60th birthday is a wonderful plan. Do you subscribe to David Lebovitz’s newsletter? He writes some wonderful pieces on life in Paris and there are lots of recommendations of where to go to get good pâtisserie (he is a pastry chef). I also love British food writer Diana Henry’s Parisian recommendations on her instagram account. When we went there for a weekend last year, I planned it meticulously in terms of food 😂
Hi Hannah, such a lovely read. I’m so happy that you love your new temporary home. Like you said, 4 weeks is a long time to be displeased with where you’re staying. Your comments about the Tour de France made me laugh, it can get pretty crazy.
Shame you didn’t see any fireworks for the 14th July, they are always quite spectacular. I’m French and even though I’ve lived in London for over 20+, I always associate fireworks with being warm so Bonfire night doesn’t really do it for me 😂 I hope you enjoy the rest of your month away x
Thanks so much for reading, Océane and I find it so interesting hearing from your perspective. I had no idea the Tour de France would be like that! It’s clearly an institution here!
You’re right that it was a shame that our town didn’t have any Bastille day fireworks. It may have been because they were focusing all of their energies into the TdF preparations? Or perhaps they had something the night before. I remember going to a spectacular display in Bordeaux a few years ago!
Ooo it sounds like heaven! I'm so glad the house is everything you dreamed it to be. I think this is going to be the start of an exciting new tradition xx
I really hope so, Bella! We were a little apprehensive before arriving, but we needn’t have worried. It has exceeded our expectations. All the research paid off! xx
I can highly recommend (so far, at least!). I’ve always wanted to be able to go away for longer and now I’m wondering why we haven’t made it happen before now.
You make it all sound idyllic, a perfect writing spit and a real home. It show home can be transient and what you make of it. I am looking to find somewhere to finish my memoir. Can’t wait for the next instalment. 😘😘
To be honest, Jo, I’m still pinching myself that we’re doing this. It rained all day today and I didn’t care at all. You’re right that this is proving (to me, at least) that home can be transient and it’s more about purpose and surroundings and people. I’m keeping a list of things I miss about home, both items and feelings, to see if that changes over time.
I hope you can find yourself a nice place to finish your memoir. Brilliant that you are doing this 🥰 xx
Sounds blissful Hannah - I want to be cooking aubergines and picking lavender too. Hope you settle in xo
Thanks Antonia. I’m definitely feeling quite settled now that we’re starting to establish a rhythm to our days and have made the distinction between working and relaxing.
Hope you have some nice summer plans too 🧡
Isn’t France wonderful! I spent 2 months there with my husband and am counting down the days until we can go back.
Oh two months sounds even better Sacha! We have 9 days left of our trip and are already starting to plan the next one 😂
I hope you can come back to France soon! ☺️
Heading back in November! Enjoy the rest of your trip 😊
38?! Wow! I would be melting! I am not good in the heat. Praise be fur air con 🙌🏼.
Yes, I think a pergola would be good. 🌱
Re the gulls, possibly a culmination of things…we’re close -ish (as the gull flies) to the council tip, we are up the Severn estuary (not that close to the river though), plus there’s a lot of houses being built in the area. And bad luck! 🤣
Hannah! I’ve been rather slack at reading my Substacks lately, so am just catching up. This is delightful! I’m so glad you love where you’re staying. It would be so disappointing if you didn’t. I am loving reading your French adventures! 🥐
I wish I could enjoy sitting out in my own garden. We are nowhere near the coast, yet there are so many gulls here, it drives me nuts. They’re so loud and big. It’s a risk going out there! 💥 We need to research pergolas or similar. Husband’s issue is that whatever we put up will end up needing to be cleaned, due to the gulls’ bombing raids! 😖🤣
Oh no, those gulls sound very frustrating. I wonder what they’re so attracted to? A pergola sounds like a good idea. Perhaps you could grow a plant like a vine up and over it so it wouldn’t be so obvious when it gets bombed?!
We couldn’t be happier with the house. It’s ideal. We’re very glad of the air con right now as it’s currently 38 degrees! 🥵
Oh how lovely to get to read your french adventure diary!
Looking forward to more.
Love France and the French language. Ahh and the croissants...I will be sixty next year (yikes!) and hope to go to Paris with my daughter as a birthday present to myself.
Was there for 3 months in 1985 and France has had a place in my 💙🤍❤️ ever since.
A trip to Paris to celebrate your 60th birthday is a wonderful plan. Do you subscribe to David Lebovitz’s newsletter? He writes some wonderful pieces on life in Paris and there are lots of recommendations of where to go to get good pâtisserie (he is a pastry chef). I also love British food writer Diana Henry’s Parisian recommendations on her instagram account. When we went there for a weekend last year, I planned it meticulously in terms of food 😂
Ohh thanks for the tips! I will absolutely check them out! 🤗
Sounds fabulous! Looking forward to your next diary instalment :)
Thanks Sarah! There’s plenty more to come. In fact the diary entries are getting longer so I’m going to need to do some editing 😂
Will you share the Airbnb you are staying at? Sounds like a wonderful time!
Hi Elizabethe, I will share the airbnb after we leave 🧡
A whole month in such a beautiful place! Oh, you’re living the dream! 🥰.
It does feel like that and I’m trying hard to make the most of every moment!
Hi Hannah, such a lovely read. I’m so happy that you love your new temporary home. Like you said, 4 weeks is a long time to be displeased with where you’re staying. Your comments about the Tour de France made me laugh, it can get pretty crazy.
Shame you didn’t see any fireworks for the 14th July, they are always quite spectacular. I’m French and even though I’ve lived in London for over 20+, I always associate fireworks with being warm so Bonfire night doesn’t really do it for me 😂 I hope you enjoy the rest of your month away x
Thanks so much for reading, Océane and I find it so interesting hearing from your perspective. I had no idea the Tour de France would be like that! It’s clearly an institution here!
You’re right that it was a shame that our town didn’t have any Bastille day fireworks. It may have been because they were focusing all of their energies into the TdF preparations? Or perhaps they had something the night before. I remember going to a spectacular display in Bordeaux a few years ago!
This is so lovely! What an amazing thing to do.
Thanks Keris! It has been in the pipeline for a while but I’m so pleased we’ve taken the plunge and done it.
Ooo it sounds like heaven! I'm so glad the house is everything you dreamed it to be. I think this is going to be the start of an exciting new tradition xx
I really hope so, Bella! We were a little apprehensive before arriving, but we needn’t have worried. It has exceeded our expectations. All the research paid off! xx
I would LOVE to do this. It sounds so blissful already.
I can highly recommend (so far, at least!). I’ve always wanted to be able to go away for longer and now I’m wondering why we haven’t made it happen before now.
I’m going to use you as part of the business case to the husband 😂. I don’t know why I’ve never put this on a ‘life goals’ wish list thing!
I love the thought of being used as evidence! Good luck with your business case!
So lovely to read about your first week in France 😍 have a lovely Sunday !
Thanks Emy! I’m feeling settled here now and ready to explore a bit further.
Have a lovely Sunday too 🧡