Writer's Retreat

My Own Writer's Retreat. Ok, well not my actual own personal one!

This is where I will be spending the Summer though! Beautiful house in South West France. Bliss. Many happy holidays have been spent there. This could very well be the last one though as my folks are selling up!

It has to be said that it is stunning. The peace is like nothing I've ever experienced and the skies at night - wow -  a blanket of stars!

This year we will be truly making the most of it, building dens for half pint, swimming in the gorgeous pool, BBQs 'til the sun goes down - the food not our bodies...factor 50 is the order of the day as it does get very hot indeed.

So, just in case it sells quickly, we intend to enjoy every minute of our holiday this year and celebrate it in all it's wondrous beauty! 

I still remember vividly the first summer there with my older boys some years ago. As my mum pulled off the road and started to head up a dust track a tiled rooftop could be seen amidst the orchard, slowly as we approached the rest of the house showed itself. Me and the boys couldn't believe our eyes! We thought they had bought a cottage - not an enormous farmhouse with years of adventure promising itself in the barns and fields.

Whilst dreaming of my holiday and already tasting the local wines in my imagination I am feeling that dread of having to say goodbye to the place maybe for the very last time.

However sad, I have to say thanks to my mum and dad as I now have that feeling that life is for the taking and there is adventure around every corner. 

They bought the house the year my dad turned 70 and although my mum speaks French my dad, not for the want of trying, doesn't! How brave, then, of him to trust to the pioneer spirit and give it a go! Giving us all such great times and memories! 

I think the one that will go down in history is my dad (now 81 , left) walking up the very long dusty track to the house and striding, wordless and fully dressed, straight down the steps and in to the pool! 

Dad....you are amazing....mum (little girl on left of B&W photo)....you hold us all together.