I am not sure why it is that when I had a 'normal' 'conventional' job that I used to fit most things in! And now when theoretically I have more time I seem to struggle to find the time...............maybe it's age!
Any way, it has been quite a week, so much so that I am going to have to recite it in reverse order!
As reported earlier on my blog last night saw the final of 'Miss Arrielle Creation 2011'.
A competition put on by the hairdresser in the village for the best haircut.
Karen was one of the five candidates, and voting took place at the salon over the last month.
Over 310 votes were cast , and a 'grande soiree ' was organised with wine & food laid on, the Marie was present and the weather set perfectly.
The atmosphere builds as the tension heightens!
Arielle leads the ladies to the stage for the announcement of the winner
She introduces each contestant........
And in the tradition of Miss World, her assistant Caroline, opens the envelope to reveal the winner
Karen!
Wow, It is so wonderful!
I am so proud, for lots of reasons, that Karen has won this competition, especially as non locals!
So I present Miss Arielle Creation 2011!- My wife!
I speak for Karen to say it has been an enormous privilege to have been invited to take part in the competition and we would like to congratulate Arielle for organising such a professional, well run event.
And so back to real life!
Last week we were preparing Les Cypres for the first guests who arrive next week.
The pool has been emptied for cleaning and some repairs.
And the wonderful Spring weather has allowed us to prepare the garden.
The house is booked right through summer but it is very important we keep on top of everything, and this garden seems to demand lots of attention!
Meanwhile the garden outside our gites is thriving, planted in 2009 everything is looking very healthy after
a mild winter and warm spring.
Lunch on the terrace, a beer is strictly limited to weekends!
Waking up to this view in the morning is so good for the spirit!
I think we have found paradise!
LONDON 27 to 30 MARCH
We were fortunate to live just half an hour outside London when living in the UK, now over 5 years ago, and yet we visited so rarely, and when we did we were always under pressure to get back etc. so a recent opportunity arose to spend 3 days in London, where we could be tourists!
We took a flight Sunday morning from Marseille to London and were in our Hotel by lunchtime, pretty good, eh!
Our 'Town house ' Hotel in Marylebone
We lost no time getting out to see the sights starting in Trafalgar Square.
We were amazed at how busy London was!
Thank fully we missed the riots the day before, which left their mark in all sorts of places!
The National Gallery, where we took in the Bridget Riley exhibition who happens to live in Saint Saturnin Les Apt.
Reflecting on the scene..........
There is a great atmosphere, people from all over the world congregate on one of the most famous squares in the world.
Karen taking in the fun of the day.
Spring daffodils set the scene on our second day.
Reminding me of my jury service at the Old Bailey in 2001.
St Paul's with spring flowers in the foreground.
Busy, busy, busy.......
it is lunchtime and the perfect place to take a picnic...
The Millennium bridge attracts a huge crowd
Us!
Karen and the millennium bridge
Enjoying a rest at St Pancras station in the champagne bar of course!
The longest champagne bar In Europe!
Celebrating the forthcoming Olympics.
Just celebrating - no excuses needed!
The newly opened St Pancras Hotel looks magnificent and is highly impressive.
It was certainly wonderful to visit London as a tourist, it is vibrant, fun and exciting. There are so many fantastic buildings, restaurants and shops. So much history, richness and culture. Service has come on leaps and bounds. It is truly one of the best cities in the world - to visit - to live - that is another question?
