Bonjour and welcome to your weekly French fix!
The sun has been out here in France after what feels like weeks of non-stop rain pretty much everywhere. Alongside flowers suddenly bursting into bloom, the weeds have reached gargantuan heights. By the way did you know that the word gargantuan comes from the book “Gargantua” written in the 16th century by French writer François Rabelais? It told the tale of a voracious giant!
Even Bread Man remarked on the size of the weeds in my garden when he dropped bread off last week. And not just one loaf like he usually does. He handed me several days’ worth explaining that he wouldn’t be able to deliver at the weekend on account of a rally car race being held in these parts. Each year, rally drivers turn up from all over the place to race their very expensive cars from swanky Le Touquet, a seaside town known as the Monaco of the north. They dart up and down hills, bolt round hairpin bends and scoot through the little villages of the Seven Valleys area where I live in Pas de Calais.
I like to imagine Bread Man, his blue cloth cap pulled down firm over his unruly dark hair, twinkly eyes and twirly moustache. Caught up in the race as he delivers baguettes and croissants, hunched over the steering wheel of his little bread van, taking on the precious rally cars – and winning.
Tigger the kitten who is now a bit of a demanding diva (yes, it is my fault I have spoiled her), came out to see Bread Man. She stalked through the weed jungle like a tiny tiger, peering at us and purring when she saw him. She knows that he thinks she is the best thing since sliced bread!
Join me on a trip to Paris via Instagram – I’d love you to see the sights with me. I’ll be visiting museums and the flower market, wandering around marvellous Montmartre, crossing Pont Neuf, exploring the Latin Quarter and the Marais and a few other places…
Wishing you a very bon weekend.
Bisous from my little pigsty in rural northern France,
Janine
Editor
Join me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for a lovely photo every day from France plus fun facts, top tips and heaps more…
Janine Marsh is Author of My Good Life in France: In Pursuit of the Rural Dream – ebook, print & audio, on Amazon everywhere & all good bookshops online, and My Four Seasons in France: A Year of the Good Life
Don’t miss the weekly newsletter which every week brings you inspiration from France
Read the whole newsletter here or take a sneaky peak at some of what’s in it:
Recipe of the week: Marvellous merveilleux cakes – utterly scrumptious!
Guide to La Rochelle: The historic port town is truly fabulous
It’s easy to subscribe if you don’t want to miss my weekly newsletters of musings from France and a great big dose of inspiration – plus exclusive random newsletter giveaways. Just scroll to the bottom of this post if you’re on a mobile device. Or look on the right on a laptop or PC. Type in your email address and click subscribe…
