Frosty Mornings

South Of France Festival

Mostly every year we go to The South Of France.  We tend to stay at small villages not far from the beach.  One of the villages we stay at is Pomerols.  In August every year the local villages hold their own festival.  This was the first time we attended Pomerols festival. Other villages take part as well.  It was really good and enjoyable.

There is no calm like a quiet sea a space of stillness under the width of sky. A gently shifting flow of shadow. A silvering. A breathing silence that restores the heart.

Pam Brown 1928

What is life?  It is the flash of a firefly in the night.  It is the breath of a buffalo in the winter time.  It is the little shadow which runs across the grass and loses itself in the sunset

Crowfoot (Blackfoot)

There’s no better time to wrap up in your favourite wolly jumper, put on your walking boots and get a deep breath of the great outdoors.

Chateau de La Ferte Saint-Aubin. Part 1.

My favourite castle of all time.  A magical place, a place of remembrance and a lively place!  A truly pleasurable moment.  Numerous different families lived here until the late 16th century, when the castle and surrounding gardens were inherited by the Saint Nectaires, who later changed their name to La Ferte Senectere.  Henri II de la Ferte Senectere was marshal of France.  Though he didn't finish building the castle, he had the two magnificent stables built in 1681.  In 1746, the castle was sold to Woldemar, Count of Lowendal.  The castle was owned by many different people, until the O'Gorman family brought it in 1911.  The castle was passed on and inherited until 1987, when it came to its present owner, Mr Jacques Guyot, who opened it to the public.

Time To Breathe

In the bustle of life.  In the pressure of decisions, peace has become a luxury.  Take it when it comes, and cherish it.  It gives you the time to breathe.  It gives you rest and hope and life.

Pam Brown, B. 1928

Andorra

Mmmm I would say Andorra is an unusual country, reminds me of lego blocks just put on a green piece of green plastic.  We went to Andorra la Vella which sits within a natural environment of beauty.  We took a route path which continues towards the mountains, through a wild valley, the Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley. It was a breath taking view!   Remarkable to see efforts made by man in order to live here.  It was lovely to see our son drink fresh water from a stream instead of a tap!!

The Beach

Photos of the beach, I’m embracing summer memories on the beach.

My heart is tuned to the quietness that the stillness of nature inspires.

Hazrat Inayat Khan (1882 - 1927)

Are We Kissing Goodbye To The Local?

Another one bites the dust. The Jester pub, Cockfosters being demolished.  3 pubs a day close their doors for good.  Pub closures have an impact on communities.  Pubs have been at the heart of our culture for generations and remain one of our most valuable assets. 1 in 4 of us fall in love in a pub!