Happy with our Lot at the River Café

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Rabbit, Rabbit, Rabbit

Barjac, Lozère (South Central France) – “The corner of S.W. France that the British haven’t discovered.”

1st September. In over 50 years, I have succeeded in doing it only a handful of times.

Since I was a little girl, I have tried to make “Rabbit, Rabbit, Rabbit” the very first thing that I say on the first day of the month.

It was 2 minutes to midnight; “Not the 9 O’Clock News” had just finished. The final frame was a clock; which reminded me…

Mark was taunting me, trying to make me speak. I remained strong. Then I did it! “Rabbit, Rabbit, Rabbit” I enunciated proudly.

I was just explaining to Mark that it brings good luck as I turned and knocked over a full glass of water, which soaked the seats and all four dogs. Mark, of course, was inconsolable with mirth. I am not sure that it bodes well.

Happy September!
Continue reading “Happy with our Lot at the River Café”

Lonely? A Traveller’s Tale of Christmas on the Other Side of the World.

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Christmas Morning on the Other Side of the World.

I opened the curtains on to a bright, sunny day. I watched a lone paraglider spiral slowly down through the perfect blue sky.

It was Christmas morning and I was alone. In a motel room in Queenstown, New Zealand.

“It’s just another day!” I had assured Sue, my travelling companion, convinced that it wouldn’t trouble me at all. Her boyfriend had flown out to join her for Christmas. Mine hadn’t. He was far too busy. Far to important. Traits that would ultimately clinch his place among the ranks of the X-Men.

But it was not just another day. By my own choice, I was on the other side of the planet from my loved ones and I missed them like hell.

Continue reading “Lonely? A Traveller’s Tale of Christmas on the Other Side of the World.”

A Trip Down Memory Lane

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Mirmande – one of the most beautiful villages in France!

The sleepless nights were redundant. It could have been so different… but it was a no-tears exit from our pitch at Allevarde. No-one had parked next to us – so it was straight out over the two adjacent pitches and on our way!

We followed the glacial blue River Isère as we meandered down through the mountains. The steep-sided valleys widened, until they were able to cocoon Grenoble in a soaring, green amphitheatre, crowned with a halo of bright, white limestone.

We knew that we were in a city; pedestrians rushed along pavements, phones glued to their ears; impatient drivers cut in front of us or hooted impatiently when we didn’t move forward to block the intersections completely with our caravan, even though doing so would only add to the gridlock and chaos!Continue reading “A Trip Down Memory Lane”