Holidays were nice. 2 weeks in France. First week at the seaside South of Cherbourg, just accross from the channel Islands which can be seen clearly from the beach. The local saying is: "quand on voie les iles c'est qu'il va pleuvoir, quand on les voie pas c'est qu'il pleut deja" (when you can see the isles it means it's going to rain, when you can't see them it's because it's raining already). As usual we forgot to pack something useful, the last time we went away we forgot to pack the bedding so this time I ensured it was accounted for, only to miss out something... towels. Obviously a non essential for a seaside holiday. Especially if like me you are a bit of a fusspot and prefer to dry yourself after a sower using a towel which has not previously been used on the beach, with not being a big fan of sandblasting as a form of skincare. Still as my dad had arranged for other family members and one of his friend's family to join us we soon scrounged the desired amount of towelling goods. The Boy has managed to turn an even darker shade of caramel than usual but with the tell tale signs of a keen bodyboarder ie distinctly paler from mid thighs up up to his neck and on his shoulders and upper arms. A bit like a cyclist's tan without the socks. I just hope his school short come down low enough. With 3 other children there to lead him astray his French has improved a lot. His only child ways were molified a bit and it was quite funny trying to spot the family ressemblance between him and my cousin's kids - some persistent genes there. We managed the whole week under my father's "guidance" without too much struggle. I suppose we were looking forward so much to a break and a rest that it was nice having everything taken care off for a change. Somehow my dad did a great "shepherd" number and kept his flock of 12 + pets under control (my parents, my uncle and aunt, 2 of their grandkids, my dad's friend, his wife and kid, The Boy, Him Indoor's, his mum and me + 1 dog and 2 cats and a flying visit of my sister, her husband and her daughter did increase the numbers for a couple of days). The timetable was: lie in while the kids up at the crack of dawn roamed free under the watchful eye of a grandparent or other, kids cycling to the village with grandfathers to fetch bread for grown ups to ea for breakfast, food shopping, quick dip in the sea, lunch, men going to do the dishes (and oggle the young dutch girls in the amenity block), coffee, rest/read/embroider/knit/nap - well quiet time really, beach again, showers, more food + dishes + coffee, chat + bed. Nice really. The place is great if you like the sea without the piers and amusements, just miles of sand and salty water, great produce (fresh veg, great butter and piquette from le Petit Manoir at Le Rozel, peace and quiet and you don't mind a bit of rain and the water rarely being above he 17oC mark. I used to go there as a child and did those same bike rides to the baker as my son has been doing with my father. I had the same fascination with Briquebec market as he has now, my little towny eying up sheep, chicken and rabbits for sale. I see in his eyes and in my niece's the same pleasure at the feel of the cold water, the waves and the soft warm sand and the colder wet sand at low tide I used to have myself (and still do). They have to be cajoled out of the water even when they are shivering and their lips have turned purple. There is a very simple pleasure which does not diminish as we grow older in trying to judge if a wave should be jumped over, dived into or used to carry us back to the shore. It is a great feeling to know how far out you can swim and remain safe, a distance which changes with the tides and the current but also with how cold or tired you feel. I am not the only one who has a soft spot for the area. I found myself swimming with somebody who looked familiar, he used to come as a child and now brings his children. When the weather defeated us we went to la cite de la mer which the children and grown ups enjoyed very much. Something else the children and adults enjoyed very much was the local pud: la tougoule (it's really a sort of rice pudding, only the long slow cooking gives it a very creamy texture and a light hint of caramel). The recipe is very simple, put 2 littres of milk in a dish (allowing a bit of extra room), add 200g of sugar (yes I know that's about 16 heaped tablespoon of sugar but you don't have to eat all of the dish in one go - although it may be tempting), 175g of pudding rice and a large pinch of cinnamon. Place in the oven gas mark 2 or 150o for 5 hours. A Bown skin/crust will form, underneath you will have the best rice pudding you have ever tasted. Don't let the kids get to the crust first, you deserve to have it because you are worth it. Eat at room temperature or cold.
We are back
1.9.04 23:34
|
Jiiiiim!!!! / Website (2.9.04 14:20) Hey, welcome back. Glad to see you enjoyed your holiday. Did you go in the submarine at la cite de la mer? That looks fantastic. I almost wish I could speak French well enough to get a job there (rather than just order a bier, ask where the bank is and point out that Marie-France is in the garden.....) Thanks for the link to my site, m'dear - I'm flattered that you should think it good enough to link to. You'll be delighted to know I'll be updating this weekend with tales from the local Folk festival. Cheers, Jim |
|
(3.9.04 10:25) Thanks my dear, I pop round and have a look from home (can't see you from work, our net nanny thinks you are an occult site). Submarine is fab, you go round with head phones and a key pad while the captain describes what you see around you (language of your choice), well worth the visit. |
|
christine (3.9.04 18:57) woohoo!! you're home! see you at school on monday. Au pair situation sorted? |
|
constance (5.9.04 20:23) hello!! I've just found out that I could actually have a look at Henri's world! anyway, my computer is still broken so... I hope you'll find a au pair who answer to the "ten things he you wanna be Henri's au pair" (the stuff we wrote in the car) I think I'm addicted to live journal (weblog as well). I can't stop reading others people diaries!! (and write mine) I'm looking forward to seeing you very soon, I miss you all. hello to Christine! It's amazing how Henri has improved his french! |
|
Daisy / Website (10.9.04 16:32) Mmmmmmm, I'lll be making my own tagoule tonight! |
