10 things

• Time goes slowly here
• I've been preparing broad beans for supper - a slow, leisurely task. Pod, boil, cool, pod again, pile into pretty bowl.
• I don't know where the children are or what they're doing. Which is just what you want on holiday.  They ran in asking for iPod speakers, toothpicks and handcream earlier.  Maybe I don't want to know any more.
• We had an onion baguette with cheese for lunch.  It was as delicious as it sounds.
• Mum & Dad have been clearing out their shed.  They have their own hard hats, for when they cut down trees.  I didn't know this about them
• The nights are very cold - we sleep under very thick duvets and quilts, and wear woolen socks - but the days are hot and saturated with sunshine.
• I have a new tube of French handcream, and Marie Claire Idees - these things make me very happy.
• The wisteria smells heady and sweet.  There are enormous jet-black bees humming around it.
• The children tell me that only by consuming Orangina and Nutella, are they having the full French cultural experience.
• We close the shutters at night and sleep in darkness that is so black and velvety you can't see your hand in front of your face.  I'm a little freaked out by this, and miss my street lamp.