Summer in France 2013 (Part 2)

It's been a week that we arrived in Le Cap Ferret. When we left Cranves-Sales, it was very early at 5 AM and the weather was not ideal. It was rainy and windy at the be beginning and then as we were nearing south, the weather became nice and agreable. Not sunny nor rainy. It took us eleven hours to reach Le Cap Ferret but we took our time, stopping when needed for Lena and for us as well to take a rest.  We even took time to go to Decathlon, a sports shop  close to the airport in Meringac to see some summer sale items.

Lena was very very kind in the car during the trip and she was such a darling. She slept most of the time. It was also a great moment for me and Cynthia to talk and and do catching up together, reminiscing those good old days, sharing their childhood memories, sharing her life as a young wife and a mother. Good bonding moments indeed.

We arrived in Le Cap Ferret around 4 PM and there's the grandparents, Pierre and his friend Maygane waitng for us. And  right after we discharged the car, we put our bathing suit and off to the beach immediately.

Manou ready to take Lena to the beach

 With Manou, Tonton Pierre and Maygane

 Lena loves the water.

          Happy to be at Mimbeau beach where my children used to go.  

Lena is changing a lot. Before coming to Le Cap Ferret, she barely walked and now, she goes everywhere with lots of confidence. Someone has to be always beside her. She discovers things and touches everything. She is an easy baby. She eats anything. Not very picky when it comes to food. And of course, all the attention is focused on her. She's the real princess.

Le Cap Ferret is located in the south west of France, close to Bordeaux and that's where my in-laws possess a summer house. My mother-in-law's family has been coming to this place for the past long 80 years and Lena is the 6th generation that comes to this well-loved and appreciated place. It is a quiet and very relaxing place close to the Atlantic coast.

I have never missed a single summer since I came here in France as well as my children. This is my 28th years and I have seen how this place has evolved and how it became a very snubbish and became a famous tourist attraction.

Pierre invited his girlfriend Maygane and spend couple of days with us and she's a very nice and lovely girl. They come from the same school but Pierre is one year ahead of her. She likes the place and was a very good babysitter for Léna.

   
Philippe arrived two days later after 28 hours of trip from Tahiti, tired and quite annoyed after finding out that his luggage was  lost! It took about 4 days before it was retreived. Fortunately, nothing was lost along the way.

We had a two-day intense trip up north in Douai to look for a flat for Pierre. It was like a marathon, flying to Paris early, rented a car and drove up north and immediately visited some flats. We were lucky to find a nice one which is convenient for Pierre and his friend.

Pierre will do his prepa for a business school at the St. Jean Institute in Douai.

We were gladly surprised to discover Douai as a beautiful little town. It was very sunny that day and the town looks warm and people are very nice.

Douai is about 30 kilometers away from Lille and we had the chance to go there and have a little visit. I haven't been there yet so we decided to go and have lunch before driving back to Paris and catch the late flight for Bordeaux.

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We arrived in Le Cap Ferret late but happy to find Marie-Anne waiting for us. She was able to get a three-day off from work and she came to join us. Finally, all the children were with us except our sons-in-law, Gregory and Mathieu. Marie-Anne's stay was very short but we really appreciate her presence with us. It was always so difficult to come up having them all together.

Before Marie-Anne left, we decided to have this traditional family picture taking and we had so much fun. Everyone makes fun 
of me because I am always taking pictures of everybody especially Léna. 

There is a special event which is taking place today. We are celebrating my mom-in-law's 80th birthday and Léna's 1st birthday. It's long overdue but this is a way of   having the family members and close friends together. All is set. I spent 2 days in preparing everything and I am happy with the result. In about two and half hours, guests will arrive and that gives me time to rest.

This is how I deal with summer vacation in Le Cap Ferret. A lot of things going on. People come and go. Last night, Pierre's high school friend arrived. He's spending a couple of days with us. He and Pierre are going on vacation with friends close to the Spanish border. After that, Cynthia's friend is coming too.

We are asked to babysit Léna for three days. Cynthia and Greg are going for a holiday just the two of them. Of course, we are so happy to accept the job. We will have the baby just by ourselves and we'll spoil her to the max!!

Voila, this is all for the meantime. Until next issue!    

 

It's been almost a week that I arrived in France at Cynthia and Gregory's house and a lot of exciting things have happened. First of all, seeing my grandchild is such a great feeling and I have been waiting this to happen. Lena was there at the airport with her mom and dad and to pick me up and she was very smiley and she recognized me immediately. That was awesome and my long trip's fatigue vanished suddenly.

  
I found Lena has changed a lot and still struggling to walk by herself. She is an easy baby. She eats well and she's so charming. Very dynamic and a real lovely baby. I enjoy being with her.

Aside from babysitting, I try to do scrapbooking and Cynthia is on it at the moment and she showed me the way of doing it. I have enough materials to fill up my free time if ever I get one. And I expect Lena to help me of course.

Cynthia and Greg showed me their future house and it is huge and with a nice view of the countryside which is next to the Swiss border. From the terrace, you can see  horses next to the property.

A big guest room for Lola and Lolo Pogi (Papylou) is ready to accommodate them.

While babysitting, I am doing an extra job....renovating Cynthia and Greg's garden table and chairs which have been out and damaged during winter. No, I am not being exploited. I volunteered to do it. It is like I need to do something. The painting will be finished hopefuly by tomorrow. I am almost done.

Pierre is changing prepa school and he's going up north and I am trying to help him find a lodging and be sharing with a friend. Finding thru internet, calling appointments, coordinating with his friend's mom and with Philippe who is still in Tahiti and Pierre who is in the south is not a piece of cake. It is nerve- wracking at times as it is summer time, a lot of people are on vacation. But with patience and perseverance....we are on the right track.

Aside from that, we found time to go shopping for summer sale and went to Greg's parents' house and enjoy their company together with the nephews and neices around the swimming pool. And oh boy, Lena just loved it.

 lena with cousins

Finally, we got to see Mimi and Mathieu today who are so busy after having gone in Le Cap Ferret for a couple of days to be with the grand

parents. Unfortunately, they don't have long holidays this summer. Both are working and will probably get some offs after.
They invited us to lunch, it was good but it was a short bonding time as both got to work in the afternoon.  

We appreciate their invite despite their busy time. And we had good food. Thank you Chef Mathieu. 

We agreed that we'll go shopping when Mimi gets her days off next week. Mom and daughters bonding together.                  

    
Every summer,  having everyone in one place and in one time is such a challenge for the family. No matter how much we try to organize a family get-together, there's always something that comes up unexpectedly.

Like for example, we have established a date for a big get-together this summer and everybody will be around except Greg. But then, we just learned that Mimi can't make it as she's got a special meeting in her job. I am really feeling sorry for her.

This is how I manage my summer holiday. It's like a marathon but I do enjoy it. I am happy to be with my children. I am happy to be of service and to be with their company. 

In a week time, Cynthia, Lena and myself will drive down south to join the grandparents in their summer house in Le Cap Ferret where everyone will be on a rendez-vous. Pierre will be there with his friends, Philippe will be joining us, Greg will follow and Marie Anne and Mathieu will join a bit later. 

As usual, the house will be full of fun and noisy!  People come and go. A lot of people around the table with surely with good appetite!  

I can't wait to be there in Le Cap Ferret and bring Lena to the beach where she will play with the water and make sand castles. Her papylou is thinking of taking Lena in the sailboat and show her around the bay. I wonder if her mom and dad would allow that.

I have have couple of busy weeks until I get back to Tahiti and I will try to write and post pictures as I continue my journey here in France.