Seven weeks and counting

‘One day’ be damned…

March 21, 2013

“One day I’m going to retreat to the south of France to write my book” How many times have I said that to myself, possibly to you? Too many. Time to take action!

Have registered to attend a writer’s retreat in Tuscany Italy and will follow with a six month sojourn somewhere in the south – to write, to dream, to explore. Would you like to come along? Well pour a wine, put your feet up, click on http://www.indulgedivulge.com and join me…

Laugh as I attempt to master two foreign languages…No sir, I ordered an omelette not pig trotters! Oh! I thought this train went to Nice not Rome? Smile as I share stories about the locals, the food, the architecture and the culture of the little villages I will be calling home and enjoy a few visual feasts as I share the best of my happy snaps.

My lovely friend Jenny and I will complete our already planned exploration of Bruges, Barcelona and Paris and then I’ll head on down to my retreat. Up and away in May, and for me, back to earth in November.

As you know I am passionate about the work I do and the company I work for, one that thankfully values me enough to put their blessing on my sabbatical, therefore will back at the desk November 18th – rejuvenated, restored and reenergized. A huge thank you to Janice (my Leader) Tim (her Leader), Bridget (Leader to all) and the fab Queensland team for making this possible.

There’s a lot to do beforehand, a lot to experience while there and I plan to entertain you along the way…I do need to practice my writing skills after all and who knows, may even get published…or not…the thrill is in the journey.

Look out for my next post ‘List upon list upon list’

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Abbracci a tutti voi (hugs to you all)

Aix en Provence…La Maison de Carlotta

January 31, 2012

Aix en Provence, slap dab in the Provence-Méditerranée region, plays host to an excessive proportion of incredibly attractive, insouciant young people thanks to it’s Universities and thus requires a discreet vantage point for people gazing. Our aim is to do exactly that, preferably with a nice robust red (damn the wine is cheap in this country!) in hand, but not before hitting the markets and giving in to salad stuffed Baguettes, little baskets of the juiciest lush strawberries and a very big squishy Mille Fuille treat for Roscoe.

But I digress! Continuing on my ‘fabulous finds – Apartements, Maisons, Villas etc’ theme, let me tell you about the delightful Maison de Carlotta situated just a skip and jump from the thriving heart of Aix en Provence.

On the narrow rue Frédéric Mistral requiring single file walking and necessity to store the car several blocks away, we find a door in a wall, buzz and are warmly welcomed by our host, the lovely Arlene then led up a serious amount of stairs to her Salon where she provides a delightfully French laced English orientation.

A coffee table piled high with art books, magnificent white baby grand piano, plump furnishings, gauzy curtains wafting in the gentle breeze, soothing concerto playing, a jug of fresh squeezed juice, crystal glasses…this is French Provincial decorating at its best! Massive sigh!

Tearing ourselves away and up yet another two levels to our Maison we see Arlene’s delicate touches everywhere…a simple lace throw posing as a curtain shroud, fat tassels adorning cupboards, linen swags shielding the enormous skylight…I can hardly wait to pull them back to view the stars at nightfall. This time collective sighs! Now…where’s that robust red and a lovely little street bar with excellent vantage? The beautiful people are waiting to bask in our admiration.

La Maison de Carlotta 9, rue Frédéric Mistral 13100 AIX-EN-PROVENCE France http://www.lamaisondecarlotta.com

Bordeaux…the Chateau de Mirambeau

January 15, 2012

Continuing on the theme of fabulous Chateau, Apartement, Maison, Villa finds…this is one splendid Chateau!

Situated between Bordeaux and Cognac and set amid a lush, beautifully manicured park sits the Chateau de Miriambeau, a Renaissance Castle dating back to the late Romanesque period, formerly an aristocratic residence, since transformed into a luxury hotel. It’s Rossy’s choice on our 2011 journey and rather a grand one indeed!

Upon arrival we are ushered into the Salon to sip welcomed icy drinks, nibble Petits Fours and address paperwork while admiring the rich tapestries and silk brocades; fitting backdrops for the statuettes, candelabra and busts jostling for attention beneath a magnificent crystal chandelier. Passports authenticated and it’s off to our Chambres.

Our feigned nonchalance quickly turns to discreet awe as we stroke the furnishings, marvel at the tailor made wallpaper emulating sheer lace drapes, examine pristine white bathrooms and exhaust our cameras capturing the exquisite details before finally settling in to our respective abodes…mine has a red theme, my friends a rich buttery yellow…to appreciate small trays bearing more sweet treats, red roses and a personal welcome letter from our host.

Dinner demands dressing up and descending to the terrace to sip champagne and admire the gardens before indulging in a degustation menu of impressive proportions (can’t help feeling the Chef worshipped at the alter of the famous El Bulli) in the elegantly appointed dining suite…after which we wander back up the sweeping staircase while rubbing our sated tums to our respective Chambers whispering ‘One could become quite used to this couldn’t one darling?’ Oh yes indeed!