Almost three weeks since my last posting and it's been a busy time both in the UK and here in Brittany.
Mia, my new grandchild, is thriving and gaining weight. I have been sent loads of photos by her Mummy, Emma, so am keeping up with her progress even though I'm back at home in Brittany.
She has a lovely amount of dark hair and stands a good chance of being as beautiful as her Mummy.
My grandson, Charlie, and I spent ten lovely days alone together. We didn't do anything exciting but just looked after the animals, podded broad beans, swam in the pool and played in the hot tub, chalked pictures on the terrace slabs, and he played CBBC games on the spare laptop which became "his" for his stay which went down very well.
His Mum and her partner came over for three days to take him home again.
Here Charlie is exploring the pond with the daughter of friends of mine - he spent a lot of time bending into the pond and marvelling at this year's baby fish and the insects and bugs drawn to the water.The veggie beds and polytunnel are finally producing some good stuff after a slow start due to the cold, wet weather earlier in the year. The weeks before I went back to Cornwall were very hot here and although the temperatures have been lower during the last two weeks they have been more comfortable and still perfect for bringing on tomatoes, courgettes, broad beans, cucumbers, runner beans, peppers etc. etc.
The cottages have been full for most of July and August with lovely guests from all over the world. They've travelled from Russia, Costa Rica, Germany, Holland, Spain, Scotland, England, other parts of France and Switzerland so far. I am amazed how many nationalities have stayed here.
I have now called the cottages Rainbow Cottages in France and have a temporary website page www.rainbowcottagesinfrance.com as well as being with two holiday agencies. The reviews I've received have been very enthusiastic and complimentary and I am grateful to all my guests for these reports.
I am off this evening to an event about an hour away and will stay in the campervan tonight in a friend's driveway to enable me to sip a few glasses of alcohol without driving back to my own bed - kind friends will put the animals to bed and get them up again in the morning.
Three things I like:
1. Having those precious ten days alone with Charlie - just the best time imaginable.
2. Gardening up on the field early in the day before anyone else is up and about.
3. Being able to cool off in the pool after lying in the sunshine and getting too hot.
