After a very full and happy visit, DD and her family headed
north this afternoon for the second week of their French holiday. Since then I have
been busy stripping beds, starting on the mountain of laundry and realising
that we only have 4 days left before we too will be taking wing. They aren’t
even full days either, as we have visitors tomorrow afternoon and I’m out on Monday.
Help!!!Any hope of a longer post before we leave has vanished, so while the soup for supper simmers, here are a few impressions of a very enjoyable week.
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| The Abbaye-Blanche in Mortain - 12th century foundation |
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| The abbey cellars - definitely 12th century |
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| The abbey church - mother and daughter browsing |
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| Mortain church - misericorde |
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| Mortain church - font. Primitive carving |
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| A family absorbed - Hill 314 memorial plaque |
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| The grandsons - monarchs of all they survey |
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| Mont Saint Michel - the marvel of southern Normandy |
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| Water dodgems - a father and sons moment |
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| Not quite Hawaii, but Grandson#2 doesn't mind |
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| Grandmas have their uses - Grandson#1 has a siesta |
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| The sea's bounty - DD's beachcombing trove |
Delightful photos Perpetua. So glad that you all had such a great time together. I'm sorry your time in France is drawing to such a rapid close but best wishes for a safe journey back to Wales.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ricky. We had a lovely time and it went far too quickly. The weather kindly co-operated for most of the week and card and board games took care of the showers. :-) I don't know where the last 8 weeks have gone and we're sorry to be leaving so soon.
DeleteTalk about "every picture tells a story". Yours most certainly do.
ReplyDeleteThey're lovely!
Fabulous collection of shells too.
Your blog most definitely has the right title.
I don't know how your internal clock manages to keep time.
Enjoy your last few days in your French paradise.
Glad you enjoyed them, Ray. They give a good insight into what we did last week. The shells were gorgeous - all gathered in a short stroll along the water-line as the tide went out and carefully washed when we got back.
DeleteTo be honest, my internal clock does take a bit longer than it used to to sort itself out when we move, but I get there in the end. :-) This afternoon we played boules in the garden with our friends when the sun came out and I had a pang at the thought of leaving so soon.
Your French summer is over, but you have wonderful photos and precious memories of this summer. I love the variety of shells! And the photo of grandsons overlooking 'their domain'. Their memories will sustain them for a lifetime.
ReplyDeleteYou're absolutely right, Shirley and I mustn't grumble. This was the grandsons' fourth visit to our cottage, but the first for 3 years, and they enjoyed rediscovering the area. The panorama from that viewpoint at the top of the cliff in Mortain is stunning and they were duly impressed. :-) As for the shells, DD has a better eye than me and found so many in a short time.
DeleteDear Perpetua, what a great collection of photos from a wonderful week with family. The abbey looks really interesting, especially the cellars, and it looks like the boys had much fun at the beach. The shell collection is fantastic - we rarely find a nice shell on our beaches! Travel safely home.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Patricia. We took so many photos it was hard to decide which to include. The abbey is lovely and the oldest parts are over 900 years old and very atmospheric. We had a great day at the beach, where there are always lots of shells brought by the current from the salt marshes just to the south. They can make walking in bare feet quite painful. :-)
DeleteOh, how wonderful! So glad you had some time at the beach, which as you know I find an essential part of vacationing. And Mont St Michel - on my bucket list. Lovely, lovely.
ReplyDeleteWe had a scorching day at the beach, Penny, from which I returned rather rosy-red, despite my gardening tan. :-) The photo of Mont Saint Michel was taken with DH's zoom lens from a viewpoint 30 miles away. We haven't yet taken the grandsons there but will when they are a bit older and can cope better with the hordes of tourists that cram its streets.
DeleteYour photographs tell the story of a happy holiday for all...good luck with the mad whirl of closing down the house ready for the off.
ReplyDeleteThat shell collection took me back...but mine were always disposed of by the powers that were on the grounds of 'clutter'.
It was indeed happy, Helen, and whizzed past far too quickly. Our 4 days are now down to 3 and we still haven't started the packing. It's a good thing I work well to a deadline. :-)
DeleteDD has always collected shells at the beach and now she can keep them all for ever if she wants to.......
Your post show many happy moments in a beautiful and interesting part of the world which takes me back to field trips in Normandy. Mont Saint Michel was a highlight. How super to be able to share this area with your family and other guests! Today we are off to the North Yorkshire coast on my husband's birthday - a treat as we rarely get to see the sea. Enjoy your last days away, Perpetua and a safe journey home. Thinking of you as you prepare for days ahead in September.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday to your husband, Linda. I hope you had a lovely day on that beautiful coast. We very much enjoy going out and about with the family or seeing them go off for a day on their own and hearing about it when they get back. I'm glad you've visited Normandy. it's such a beautiful area and we love it dearly. Now I need to plan ahead for my operation and look forward to clearer vision next time I'm taking photos in France. :-)
DeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteReally? So soon?! It has gone zooming past, it seems - and I'm not even the one on France!!! Your photologue tells us all we need to know for this one Perpetua-ji and they speak of ease, serenity, fun and family bonds. All is well.
Successful packing/cleaning/organising/shutdown... and safe trip home to Wales. Hugs, YAM xxx
Yes, so soon, really, Yam! I just don't know where the past 8 weeks have gone. Normally we would still have another month to enjoy, but this year needs must.... The family visit was the perfect way to round off this summer and yes, we enjoy each other's company very much. :-)
DeleteOnce the mountain of laundry is all washed and dried, the rest will follow and somehow we'll be ready just in time.
Your time i France passed so quickly - safe journey home
ReplyDeleteThanks, Annie. Tell me about it - that was summer!
DeleteDespite the shortness of their visit....and in fact, the shortness of your stay in France this year, it does look as if not a moment has been wasted. The photos are lovely, the places visited are splendid and the memories for all involved will, undoubtedly be cherished. Safe trip back. Jx
ReplyDeleteThanks, Janice. You know all about how quickly the weeks pass when we're enjoying ourselves. :-) We do manage to pack a lot in when the family visit, yet there's always space to relax and read or chat or play games. Time must be elastic..... I hope the boys' memories are good. They certainly enjoy themselves while they are here.
DeleteOh fabulous abbey!! Just the kind of place we'd love to nose around :-)
ReplyDeleteSafe travels home.
BTW did you want walnuts? If so send us an email [address on our blog] and we'll post a box when they're ready.
Email sent with thanks and anticipation. :-)
DeleteThe abbey is super, but sadly looked rather neglected on this visit. It had a modern religious community living there and taking care of it until 2011, but now some of the most interesting and oldest parts such as the chapter house and lay-sisters quarters weren't open to the public, at least not on the day we visited. Sigh....
Abbeys, beaches and hill tops - my idea of the perfect holiday!
ReplyDeleteAnd all three were rather special, Anny. So much was lost in the war in this area that it's great to be able to visit the treasures that managed to survive.
DeleteWe are so glad you had a lovely week together. Enjoy your last few days in France and we hope your journey home is not too busy. We will hope to see you in Wales after your Op. My DH has more hospital tests next week & the week after but is feeling OK, except a bit tired and anxious.
ReplyDeleteWe had a great time thanks, PolkaDot, and it was lovely to have them all here again after a 3 year gap. I'm glad to say that the weather forecast for their second week is even better than the week just gone. :-)
DeleteGlad to hear that your DH isn't having to wait too long for the tests he needs and we wish him all the best for them. Looking forward to seeing you in deepest Wales in September. :-)
I'm glad you had a wonderful time together. It must have been sad to see them leave after such a nice visit, and also a bit sad to think you will be leaving in a few short days as well. Enjoy your last four days!
ReplyDeleteThanks, we will. I always feel a big pang when the family leave after any visit as we don't see them very often. However we had such fun that the time together was really special and great way to crown this year's visit. Now for the packing and the travelling.....
DeleteOnly 4 days left! Oh no, not nearly enough time. Seems to me like you just got there. Listen to me complaining and it's not even my place. Guess I wanted to hear more... and see more. oh well, there's always next summer.
ReplyDeleteYour vacation pics with the family are wonderful. So happy you had a nice visit.
Rian, you summed up exactly how I'm feeling. Actually I do have at least one more post on France half-written which I'll finish when we get back. Time just got away from me over the past few weeks. :-)
DeleteI'm glad you enjoyed the photos. Sometimes pictures tell the story so much better than words......
The lovely time you had with your daughter and her family far outweighed the laundry. When we came back off our holiday, I washed and ironed solidly for three days. Could have had it all done for us but at the price of £4 for one shirt and 50p for a pair of socks, I thought I'd rather put the money towards another holiday. Have a brilliant time when you 'take wing'.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, Molly. It was worth an Everest of laundry. The washing machine has been doing its thing in the background and thankfully the weather for the next three days will be dry and warm, so I'll get it all dry and packed away before we leave.
Delete£4 for a shirt and 50p for a pair of socks? DH would have a fit if I told him those prices. The washing I've done this week with 4 extra people in the house would have paid our ferry fare. :-)
A happy family time. Friends too. What more can one ask for. Goodweather and food.. its summer time.
ReplyDeleteI am behind with some of my comments Perpetua..
The time seems to have passed so quickly.
I just dont want to think about the colder months.. i get depressed. I am a summer person.
lots of preperations and excitement for the upcoming wedding of my second son.
good travels home.
val x x x
A very happy time indeed, Val, and one which flew past far too quickly. We've been so busy that I too am terribly behind with reading and commenting, but hope to catch up in intervals this week.
DeleteI'm lucky in being the kind of person who enjoys every season, though I will admit to not liking too many days of rain together. :-) Here's hoping your winter is bright and sunny, even if not as warm as you'd like.
Now to go off and read about your wedding preparations.....
Time just flies along when you are having fun with the family.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe that you are heading off again, it seems no time at all since the end of June, I remember that you travelled over in the ferry just before we did.
Are you heading back to Wales?
Lots of good memories of the summer Perpetua, and hopefully a boot full of apricot jam too.
You never said a truer word, Rosemary. :-) I just can't believe it's eight weeks today since we were crossing the Channel on our way here. After a brief visit to my mother-in-law in the Cotswolds we'll be heading back to Wales for a while, as I have my cataract operation provisionally scheduled for September 17th.
DeleteYes we'll be heading home with minds full of good memories and a box of apricot jam in the back of the van. Even our voracious grandsons didn't manage to eat it all!
Is it really 8 weeks? It seems like only yesterday that you arrived. Time goes far too quickly.
ReplyDeleteLovely photos, and looks like everyone had a great time x
It is indeed, Ayak, though it seems much less. They say time speeds up as we get older. :-)
DeleteWe had a lovely time, thanks. You know just how it is when families get together. Now it's your turn to look forward to seeing your grandsons in October.
It looks like you enjoyed the perfect mix of occupations together ... happy days :)
ReplyDeleteVery happy, Annie, but over all too quickly. Now it's on with the clearing and packing....
DeleteWonderful photos, Perpetua, both inside the monastery and outdoors. Looks like you had a fun and illuminating time with the grandsons and their parents. Safe travel.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Penny. We had a great time and I'm sure the family are now having great fun exploring the Normandy landing beaches in brilliant sunshine. :-) As for DH and me, we're in the throes of packing and closing down the house for the winter. Sigh....
DeleteOOops posted my comment in wrong post! Anyway again - Bon Voyage or Welcome home! Particularly love the picture of you and DD browsing. Two of a kind :-)
ReplyDeleteNo problem, Sian. Good wishes are always welcome. :-) We're in the throes of packing to leave on Thursday.
DeleteYes, though very much her own person, DD is a chip off the old block in a number of ways. :-)
I'm not sure which photo I loved more. I think it was the bottom one because I am just amazed at the trove of treasure that came from the sea. I also loved the photo of you and your daughter browsing. You truly had a wonderful time with your family. Enjoy your next adventure.
ReplyDeleteWe had a super time, Sally. I too love the shells and DD gathered them all in the course of a short stroll along the beach as the tide went out. I've certainly never seen quite such a variety and such colours on any British beach.
DeleteLovely photos Perpetua and so glad you enjoyed time with your family in such gorgeous surroundings. Love France, always a special place for me. Still catching up on post reading.
ReplyDeletePatricia x
Don't talk to me about catching up with post reading, Patricia. I'm even further behind than you! Glad you made it and enjoyed the photos. I love our bit of Normandy which is still largely undiscovered and undeveloped, except for the coast.
DeleteAbsolutely great photos - I particularly like that one of you and DD in the church.... oh, and those shells are amazing colours!
ReplyDeleteI may have missed your last day in France, it's been a bit busy at my end this week. I hope you get away and back safely. I do hope this doesn't mean that summer is over...
Axxx
Thanks, Annie. I think the one of DD and me browsing and the shell photo come out as clear favourites, thanks to DH's super camera and steady hand. :-)
DeleteWe left the house before dawn on the 22nd and finally made it back to Wales yesterday, via a visit to my mother-in-law. Judging by the weather this morning summer is definitely NOT over, I'm glad to say.
You cause me to sin with your lovely photos. I envy you your place in France, and the time you spend there!
ReplyDeleteOh dear, am I being a stumbling-block, Christine? We were lucky to find our cottage 10 years ago, when you could still buy a renovation project for the price of a good car, and have been working on it ever since. It's only since I retired that we've been able to spend prolonged periods here and know we are lucky to be able to do so.
DeleteLovely to catch up with you again. What fun ... family days together. Lucky you. Sue.
ReplyDeleteIt was great fun, Sue. Because of distance and their busy lives, we don't see either of our children and their families very often, so try to make the most of the time when we're together.
DeleteDear Perpetua, I sighed deeply when I finished reading your posting. I think the photographs did it. The going back in time to that man--or woman--who carved the "primitive" face on the column, the benches on which so many people-some heartsick, some joyous, some simply weary, some hopeful, some fearful--sat and prayed or opened their hearts to possibilities. So many people in the past centuries and perhaps for centuries to come.
ReplyDeleteAnd also the photographs of you family and the future that's implicit in the life of those photographs. There is an arc, a rainbow, that connects the past, the present, and the future. And we get to be part of it. Oh, joy in the morning. Peace.
What a beautiful, lyrical comment, Dee. I know what you mean about the sense of continuity, the linking of past, present and future that ancient buildings give us. A church that has been worshipped and prayed in over the centuries has a sense of real presence and we were all aware of it, even the grandsons.
DeleteWe had a lovely time together and that too is part of the thread of continuity that links human beings to their history and their future.See, you've really got me thinking, Dee....
What a wonderful time you have had in your wonderful French home! I'm so glad you made the most of it, and I loved the photos of the family. What a special time for you all to share such lovely memories. I'm sure it's always bittersweet to return home--to your OTHER home! :-) Debra
ReplyDeleteWe had a really great time, Debra, and I'm glad to say DD and her family had an equally enjoyable second week, with gorgeous weather. :-) To be honest, DH and I were so busy in the few days we had left after their departure that we had no time to feel sorry for ourselves at having to leave earlier than usual. Now we're safely back in Wales and picking up the threads of our lives here.
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