Lots of Crooks

Malcolm's brother Alan and family (Hilary, Ivor 7 and George 5) came to stay from the UK for a long weekend this weekend. Lots of fun was had, including a trip to the Jardin d'Acclimatation, playing in the Champs de Mars, a trip on the river bus and a visit to the Musee D'Orsay.

Baby and Toddler Weekend in Bordeaux

We spent last weekend (an extra long long weekend) in Saint Emillion at a "House Party" targetted at (British) parents of small children organised by a British couple who own and manage a chateau

We went on the TGV, 3 hours from Paris to Bordeaux, a very relaxing journey. Bella gets her own seat in first class (only 8 euros for her..lots more for us)

Some pictures of the chateau, inside it's decorated in the style of a boutique hotel. Huge bedrooms, claw foot baths, a screening room/cinema, lots of lounges, a fabulous play area/nursery for the kids...perfect

Playing in the pool, kids dinner time, after which some play time then off to bed. After this the parents start their pre-dinner drinks and warm up ready for adult dinner and then off to the luxurious bedrooms

Playing

We didn't do anything too interesting this weekend, so I decided to post some photos that Genevieve has taken of Bella playing on her usual route home from the creche through the Champs de Mars. They have an action packed play session, involving any of the following: a few goes on the carousel; a trip in the poney cart (chariot); a play in the sandpit and on the climbing frame/slide etc.; and a drive around in a push along car. On special occasions they go to see the Guignol puppet theatre if there is a new show. Oh and of course a break for a snack. A charmed childhood I am sure.

A Normandy Weekend

We are lucky in France to have lots of long weekends in May. In fact we have three 3 day weeks...quite ridiculous really but hoh hum, when in Rome... So we decided to go to Normandy, where we rented a gite. The weather took a turn for the worse, so we had to wrap up. First of all we went to the D-day beaches. Bella collected pebbles, the history was a bit lost on her. Not quite as cool as collecting chocolate eggs but the practice came in handy.

Next a trip to Mont St Michel, took the backpack up the Mont and looked around the Abbey. Dolly came too.

Next off to Bayeaux, here's Harold taking one in the eye for England. Bella liked the introductory film as it had lots of horses, however the tapestry she prefered to take a whistle stop tour of. Here's Bella outside the Abbey, dolly still in tow, if a little shaken.


After all these castles and things I wonder if I'm a princess in this big bed...why do I get to sleep in the cheap plastic and metal thing?

Check out the big bear behind . We went to a safari park on the way home. It was nice to break the journey and the animals were very impressive and very close. A bit too close for Bella's nervous disposition, although she likes to recount the story afterwards. She can now string a sentence together something along the lines of "cow, messy, yeah?" or "horse, running, yeah?" in fact everything seems to end with "yeah?" at the moment. I guess she didn't learn that at the French creche. I also notice she now says "canard" instead of "duck" and "bateau" instead of "boat". Confused, you will be.

The Pink Elephant