Much to do about nothing .....


You might wonder what I've been up to. I ponder that very question myself on a daily basis. Driving back from my intensive and exhaustive French lessons the daily grind is enlightened by the most beautiful journey to and fro, a never ending kaleidoscope of deep hues, the newly tarmacadam road reminding me of a scalextric track. I'm constantly envisaging capturing its beauty and eloquently describing the ever changing seasons but I'm also multi tasking and on the back burner there are always problems jostling for attention. I seem to have devoted a lot of time this week writing letters to people. Put simply, why do people ask if I have a vacancy and then proceed to inform me what their budget is ? Patience is a virtue, discretion is the key, and then I wonder where the hours go to, struggling to bend over backwards is the answer.

On Sunday His Lordship and I took the Grand Duchess out for a pootle around the lanes, gently meandering up hill and down dale. I had been of the opinion that the picture for the cards was simply not up to scratch, honesty is the best policy after all and His Lordship seems to value my opinion(sometimes). I spent hours screeching 'stop' or 'arret' and at one stage ran up a row of vines that changed abruptly from red to yellow and stopped at the piercing blue sky. Leaves scrunched and crackled underfoot as a keen wind whipped them off the vines. At the memorial service on Sunday I asked a grower what the variety of the grape was that gave the particularly beautiful deep red leaf this season and the answer was 'Alicante'.

It was one of those magical mornings when time is suspended as you float through the hours. Afterwards when I looked back at the photographs the Grand Duchess looked as though she belonged to another era, the photographs could well have been taken in the 50's.

Which is sometimes the appeal of Le Chateau,splendidly reminiscent of the past.

Comments

Fennie said…
Lovely, Sally, lovely. Reminiscent, as you say of another age.
Pili pala said…
Lovely photo Sally. I love the colours of the vines too.
Oh aren't you good french lessons. I find I'm ready now for lessons, especially with my written grammer. How long have you been in France?
Cowgirl said…
You have conjured up a magical picture with those vines, Sally. And I so know what you mean about "people".... sometimes I wonder how plainly I have to put it in my advertising - number of beds available, no children, no dogs etc.... "no, mam, I'm afraid we can't accommodate your party of 5 adults, 3 children and small petting zoo in our two rooms each with a bed that only sleeps a couple....I'm very sorry!"

Oh Go A Way.

xx
ChrisH said…
Oh lovely, good to have sigh over the photos on your blog. Mind you, I wouldn't have your patience dealing with The Public so well done.
CAMILLA said…
Very beautiful Sally,
The Vines have such wonderful colours, we have Vine growing in our garden, but only sadly a small one.
How far are you into French Lessons Sally? My french is a tad rusty, but I love it's flowery language.

Camilla.xx
Grouse said…
Aaaahhh!!!! Sigh.....the tranquility beckons.......just the place for a post-Xmas, de-stressing escape.
CONGRATS!

You're blog is featured over at GO! Smell the flowers - enjoy!
Hi Sally, just found your blog and site via Go Smell the Flowers...What an absoulutely lovley place you have...You have been 'delicioused' so that i can return when holidays are being planned.

kind regards
RR UK
Emma said…
Hi Sally,

What a fantastic blog and website. I have just come back from a short holiday in your region and you describe it so beautifully.

Thank you!
Anonymous said…
Welcom back!! Great photo.
Debbie said…
What a refreshing read your blog is! I'm adding you to my Friends list as well as a link to my favorite blogs. I can't wait to come back and read more this evening!

Debbie
Pipany said…
Ah that was lovely Sally. Beautiful photograph - I feel all calm!!!! xx
annakarenin said…
Oh it does all sound gorgeous and love your kitchen below.

Surely your first Christmas together wasn't c1929, pictured you far far younger than that?????

I love old books have been slowly raiding my mothers house of them over the last couple of years. Classic one I found recently was the Truby King method of child rearing. That book had a lot to answer for I am sure!!!
muddyboots said…
sally you are a monkey!

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