intact, barely

well, I survived the birthday do...thank god it is only once a year. Terrifying to be in charge of other people's children, just terrifying. Scarlet got some brownie points and I got some good mother points too. So that's ok then.

hipbo birdie

19th June is birthday time for young missy S. And this year she is 11. Yegods, 11 already. Cannot believe it. Tomorrow we have planned a birthday to beat all birthdays. Birthday breakfast en famille avec moi et la birthday girl (G working bien sur), pressie opening afterwards and cartoons all morning. I will meanwhile be preparing cakes and salads and the like - at 2pm off to local park to bagsy table and await guests. 5 girls in S's class will join for an apres-midi of merriment and fun - with the parcours de sante, climing frames and basketball court to keep 'em amused. Mid afternoon break of cake and balloon modelling then more running and jumping and tomfoolery. Back to ours for showers for them (breather for me) then its off to a restaurant in Valbonne entre filles ..les parents will come pick les filles up at 9pm...I'll drag Scarlet home and will then need A VERY VERY VERY large glass of wine. Camera is at the ready, nerves will be primed to be on muffle mode. No cross tempers, no shouting, no irritation.

the mystery of wednesday

Wednesday is a strange day across france. There is no school and somehow about 75% of the working population manage to organise having their mercredi libre. Free Wednesday. Sounds like a radical group of day activists. So driving to work will be a pleasure this morning, no school buses, light traffic and the office will be missing some co-workers too. Bizarre.

ashes to ashes

ha! Spur of the moment flying(or not) trip to Bridlington turned into 5-day marathon ...with the flying part of the return trip becoming impossible following the re-emergence of the old icelandic volcano dust cloud. Still, it meant we had a rather lovely extended stay with Louise & family, spent some qualideeee time with Emma and Hannah and Hebebebe, and got to touch base with Monty, Rob etc ...attached lovely family photos.....twas indeed a lovely time. Interesting grammar mistakes discovered too on seafront bench dedications...muched loved being by far and away the best.