Wish you were here ...


It's time for some home truths round here and I'm going to come clean with you all.

Here I am spinning all these fantastic fantasies and stories for the whole wide world to dip into and the fact of the matter is I may have been misleading you all, just ever so slightly. You see for the last few days it's been, well, cool down here in the South of France. But now no more illusions, no more teasing, the day has dawned and its going to be a scorcher. And that is an absolutely true fact.

There is still plenty of snow on the Pyrenees in the distance, it will never look more beautiful as when viewed through a riot of climbing deep red roses on the terrace.

I had a hint of what was in store yesterday when I took a quick two hour hike from the house. The walking here is stunning. Straight out of the front door and onto many of the well signposted paths. Along the way we see one solitary farmer spraying his vines. We walk past fields of corn, a luxurious spread of green velvet rippling in the slight breeze. Sandy paths made dusty in the hot sun laden with wild flowers of every description including wild orchids. Through ancient unspoilt woodland we pause in the welcome shade to survey the beauty. Vast expanses of fields show tiny rows of sunflowers beginning to peek out from the crumbly soil. Suddenly a large hare bounds across our path and as quickly as he appears he is off over the horizon.

Picking our way through a narrow path laden with bright yellow broom we detect a slight movement. There on the branch right in front of us taking a rest in the sunshine is the largest lizard I have ever seen out in the wild. His magnificent coat of bright green glistens and he casts his beady eye upon us. He very obligingly keeps still whilst I take his portrait.

Today though the pool and garden beckon to me through the open window. The delicate shades of rose bushes add a perfect contrast to the lavender below. The garden is a riot of bright red poppies under the fig trees. Not a breath of wind stirs, a bright blue sky looks down on the occupants of Le Chateau and the sunbeds lie unoccupied arranged enticingly round the pool.

The guests have departed for the day and I've got the entire place to myself !!

Comments

Blossomcottage said…
My gym bag is packed, clean knickers and some sherbert lemons and I will be on the next donkey and cart and on my way.
Blossom
Suffolkmum said…
I'll be joining Blossom on the donkey! It sounds amazing, one of my favourite parts of the world.
Anonymous said…
Is there room on that donkey for one more?
Me too - oh no my gym bag just burst - anyone got any room in theirs for my shell collection
toady said…
I'm coming too, wait for me. Now who were these ruddy guests?
Inthemud said…
Wait for me, wait for me!

Sounds wonderful, even if weather has been a bit cool of late.

Enjoy your peaceful day!
ChrisH said…
Look, can we arrange a cart to pick us all up?
countrymousie said…
Dull, grey and windy here now - are there enough Duchy biscuits to go round for us all. Im more a limmo girl than a donkey - sorry.
Save me a steamer chair. I se we have to bring our own towels from your website. Any particular colour - will pink be OK with the decor! love mousie
Yup-you can't all go without me. It does sound lovely.

I love days that you get all to yourself. Make the most of it.

warm wishes
x
Pondside said…
Sounds like you have a delicious day ahead of you. I loved your little walk - could feel that lovely hot and dry path underfoot. We may reach 12c here today.
Eden said…
Oh how lovely to have the place ot yourself. Well done for not spilling the beans on your guests. We would have all loved to know of course, but not at the price of you losing your new-found clientelle.
bodran... said…
sounds a dream and what an oblidging lizard well spotted..xx
lixtroll said…
Absolutely beautiful descrition - the snowy peaks viewed through the roses - what a luxury to have it all to yourself for a little while! I have just had a very enjoyable time catching up with your last few blogs, thank you.
Un Peu Loufoque said…
Sally this is very beautifully written quiet intoxicating ! I wish I was there!

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