I've been back at work for 4 days now, and it's been thoroughly enjoyable. Two long months of holiday has given me lots of time to reflect on the job and what I would like to do differently, what I hope for with the kids etc. In the middle of my holidays I spent two weeks with the family at (one of) the holiday houses. It was such a relaxed period; late starts, late finishes, and heaps of time for cuddles and stories and swimming. I feel like my relationship with the whole family has really deepened and I'm letting myself depend on them a little more.
The family spends summer holidays in the south of France, in a highly secured holiday village just near Cannes. It was incredible. And even though I was technically working during the two weeks, it was on of the highlights of my summer. I mean just look at it...
The huuuuge house is on a gorgeous property with two pools, a petanque area, lovely old olive, pine and fig trees and access to a private beach. The weather was impeccable and the air was scented with rosemary and mimosa. Every morning I could trot down to the Mediterranean and bob around in the warm salty waters. Afternoons were spent by the pool, at the beach or playing monopoly when it was just to hot to be outside. A Minister and his family stayed a week and doubled our numbers and noise levels. Though their 3 boys were a real handful it was lovely to have the company of their nanny and bodyguard (though as he always reminded us, he was technically 'head of security'.When the children were finally in bed we would sit out on the patio, eating fresh seafood and drinking rosé and generally marveling and how wonderful life can be.
Back to my wonderful family (don't worry NZ family, you're still the best!), tonight the mother told me we would celebrate 'la rentrée', 'back to school', and could I stay late for dinner? Turned out to be a surprise birthday dinner for me with all my favourite foods and a sumptuous cake. I'm sitting here bursting at the gills after 5 courses, one of which was a cheese platter with 7 varieties and I think I have truly merited the title of 'gourmande'. "Ah oui, Sophie est assez gourmande," as the parents always say when asked if I enjoy French cuisine.
2 comments:
look out for the cheese Soph! It'll get ya!
I am officially jealous. I spent four days in a cheap hotel in Nice and thought that was cool, but you have it all. These folk don't need a pool boy or anything do they?
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