Rain must not stop play


Leaving behind clear blue skies and happy relaxed guests round the pool I snatched a few days away on a last minute cheap flight His Lordship and 2b have excelled themselves of late at Le Chateau and I excitedly packed a few summer clothes in a bag ready for a jaunt at my little hideaway in Dorset. Thoughts of cream teas, leisurely walks and browsing in all my favourite little shops sprang to mind and I packed an extra wrap just in case it became chilly. Tucked into the corner of the suitcase was my swimsuit for a quick dip on my favourite beach Burton Bradstock, pictured above. I should have known something was amiss when Easyjet made the announcement that the plane was delayed due to heavy rain at Bristol. An audible low groan was heard from the passengers.

Last night though Glastonbury in Somerset was surely the hot place to be. Anyone who was not blown away by the ageing rockers The Who's faultless performance missed an event that will only be equalled by the excitement of the spectacular firework display in Carcassonnne on Bastille Day, July 14th in France. I cheated of course, my excuse being that I had left my Hunter wellies and Barbour in some long forgotten corner in France and instead watched in some comfort with a large gin and tonic to hand.

Life at Le Chateau it seems glides along smoothly and untroubled, its calm waters only broken by the pool cleaner doing its daily trudge along the bottom. All my hollyhocks are out and well over 8 feet high, the figs are ripening rapidly in the garden, and most exciting of all the bright yellow happy faces of the sunflowers are beginning to appear dotted over the landscape.

And me ? Adopting that spirit for which the British are most famous for, refusing to let a few raindrops stand in the way of enjoyment. As my Grandfather said 'if you wait for the weather you'll wait forever'(unless you live in the south of France)

Comments

Faith said…
Gorgeous light on that photo of the bay. And love that saying 'If you wait for the weather, you wait forever' - never heard it before and will use it now!
That is a stunning photo.

I have to say, I rather like rain-find it very therapeutic on the barn roof.

warm wishes
x
ChrisH said…
Your grandad was right but it's still a shame, I love Dorset, could have lived there but for the prices. I've just read your previous blog with a chill in my heart as I have watched the most hideous block of housing going up in the field opposite my house. Mr Farmer wins - the beautiful coastal strip loses.
Un Peu Loufoque said…
Ah well dear, do be careful you do not catch cold in the inclement British summer, thermal liberty bodice and long johns are de rigour this year!!

You will be careful won't you! Promise us first sign of webbed feet you head for southern France and the chateau!
Suffolkmum said…
Fabulous photo. I adore Dorset, would love to live there one day. Especially if we could import the weather from the south of France.
Crystal Jigsaw said…
Yes, I like that saying too. Very wise. Lovely photo.
Crystal x
Wonderful picture..is this where I am going in July? Chideock I think...am so looking forward to it never having been to Dorset before other than sprinting for ferry to France!
Tell me Sally..how did you serve up His Lordship's hat afterwards? I take it you have yet to break it to him that the Summer Skool next year is at yours and eighty of us are getting ready...Angel has started on the little purple teepees.....
countrymousie said…
Wonderful photo.
I watched Dame Shirley from the comfort of my white sofa - how fab was she!!Pelting out her songs - simply super and I am not particularly a fan of hers. Thought I would watch to catch up on some of these bands I appear never to have heard of!
At least you know you can go back to the heat of France. I am in front of the heat of the aga today. Hope the Chateau survives your absence. love mousie
FunkyMunky said…
Beautiful photo. And a very wise saying from your grandad.

Word of advice for future visits to give yourself at least a fighting chance of decent weather in Blighty, try to avoid Wimbledon fortnight!
Frances said…
Hello Sally,
I have been catching up on your goings on. The pictures are grand, and I love the way that you describe where you've been, what you've seen, what you think about it all.
Our country definitely likes to pave over landscape, build truly ugly buildings (some of which are also ugly homes!) A lot of it seems to derive from keeping the economy going, or someone's idea of what that means.
I unfortunately only have been to France once (1982) but have very beautiful memories. Did travel by train beyond Paris to Britanny, then down the coast to the south. I would love to see more of your photos of what is vanishing month by month, year by year.

Another memory: ca. 1968...went to an outdoor concert in which The Who were the opening act for the Doors. (There was a revolving stage, and The Who broke it, so the Doors were a bit grumpy, shall we say.)

xo
muddyboots said…
aha! is this the new camera? splendid, splendid. Expect great things now! Opps, harry's just returned in the tractor, he's been rescuing sunken cars, you see, it's wet up here, very wet, in fact very, very VERY wet.xx
Exmoorjane said…
Another Dorset fan here. My mum spent a part of her childhood in Cerne Abbas and Adrian worked for a week in Weymouth!!! We were going to move there when we left London but, yup, prices VERY high.

jxx
Sally's Chateau said…
I have to own up that the pic was taken last year, heavens you don't think the weather is THAT GOOD here do you?
Inthemud said…
What a fantastic photo!
Didn't choose a good weekend to come to Dorset really did you!! And it just keeps on raining! My daughter was at glastonbury, she arrived home at 4am this morning and jumped straight in the shower, she'd had a fantastic time and even the rain and mud didn't mar it!
muddyboots said…
you've ruined it, there was l thinking that you had brought the fine weather with you to a teeny weeny bit of england, oh well, illusion shattered back to the old glass of La Fort.....
Pondside said…
Sally my dear, you and Un Peu are two of a kind - not daunted by the bad weather, you press on and have your fun. I hope you get out to the interesting shops and get to spend some time on your favorite beach, even if it isn't sunny and hot.

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