On Anzac Day 2015, I left Australian shores for six months travelling solo in France. Unlike my grandfather a century before, I wasn’t destined for the muddy fields of the Somme. My destination was another part of rural France altogether – Cinais in the Loire – the first of a series of housesits courtesy of a housesitting website called MindMyHouse.
Dearest Darlings,
Truth be told it’s a bit like that in my French hideaway today. I had plans of dusting off the bike and riding into Chinon for the English conversation and afternoon tea but it’s not looking likely at the moment. Maybe I’ll just stay inside and eat. I’m waiting for our bakery van to pull in so I can buy a baguette and a croissant – a very rare treat but it will taste delicious with my HOME MADE apricot jam. No your eyes do not deceive you – my cooking mojo has returned. It went walkabout after 25 years of doing it for a living. Now I can cook for the sheer joy of it – another reason to love my new French home.
It’s been a while since I wrote. I’m flat out drinking in views like this one taken on a misty morning at sunrise from the Juliet balcony of my new home:
Dear Mum,
I accidentally had the Melbourne weather on my weather app and got quite excited at the thought of 16 degrees and partly cloudly. That gives you some idea of the conditions at Cinais at the moment.
Took the van for a spin yesterday pour faire des courses. My need for fresh milk to make myself a coffee outweighed my terror at having to drive a manual car on the wrong side of the road, so that will give you an idea of my desperate need for a decent coffee. To my surprise and disappointment the French don’t do a weak flat white extra-hot.
Dear Mum and Dad,
It’s 10.30am Wednesday morning and the sun is shining, the birds are singing (even a cuckoo I’m pretty sure) and all’s right with the world.
Here are 10 things she’s learned about French culture so far:
In rural France you can buy local wine at the hardware place which is a marriage made in heaven for your average DIY Woman.
1.Don’t be fooled into thinking the crazy luggage labels your workmates gave you will be enough to identify your luggage.
2. A loud and lairy luggage belt can be seen from 50 paces, as can a burnt orange suitcase – the choice is yours. Continue reading