Wedding in Bordeaux

I was so lucky to be able to attend a traditional French wedding in Bordeaux with my host family this past weekend... It was really so stunning! However, the 7 hour drive was far from easy!

We stayed in a little town called Blaye, about 40 minutes from Bordeaux (surrounded by more vineyards than I ever thought I'd see in my life!) It was very cute with this ancient Citadel overlooking the town. 

Entrance into the Citadel

 Inside the old, walled town there were quaint terraced cottages that now are home to cute cafes, arty shops of jewellery made from mosaics (Babylon Mosaic), ironwork, pottery, paintings and  vintage clothes. There's a camp site, restaurants overlooking the Gironde river - fabulous for the sunsets - museums, a small hotel and the CUTEST little house I've ever seen *pictured below (belower)* that had a garden full of glorious flowers (unfortunately the photo does little justice to the place and you don't see the beauty of the garden!)

The terraced streets

The darling house inside the Citadel

The church was filled with dressed-to-the-nines women, loads of big hats, and beautiful men. It was full of singing and really beautiful. Vi and Al were both flowergirls and wore white dresses with a dark blue sash and crowns of baby's breath - it wasn't easy getting the girls to keep them on - they were too excited, but too adorable!

The bride and groom left the church in this old-fashioned red Bugatti and had a drive around the sunny French countryside before arriving at Chateau de Barbe for their reception. Champagne and canapes were served on arrival... Foie gras is really nothing special - believe me - I'm not a fan of beetroot mousse either, but it all looked very classy! The champagne was great though!

The getaway car!

The entrance into Chateau de Barbe

It was truly a beautiful day, full of joy and laughter - Baby M supplied most of this and I had to leave the church with him twice because he wouldn't stop. The Chateau gardens where the evening reception was held had stunning views over the vineyards and the river. Wouldn't mind it for my own wedding someday - so beautiful! 

Félicitations Camille & Alexis! Gorgeous couple and that dress is just to-die-for!

Congratulations Camille & Alexis

Bises

K x

Let Them Eat Cake! - Tips on Food

"Qu'ils mangent de la brioche" (Apparently Marie Antoinette didn't actually say this...)

What I've found completely bizarre is the lack of a "good" breakfast eaten in this house. I'm a breakfast fanatic and only lasted a few days here before I had to go buy myself a LARGE box of cereal!

I know it's typically more common in France to eat little and often but the girls actually have gateaux for breakfast and I have to say I'm a bit taken back by it. I come from a healthy-eating home where my mom always put an emphasis on good, healthy breakfasts to start your day, so it's just so different for me to see how it works in another house.

When coming to au pair in another country, it's important to know how they eat and when they eat their large meal, little things like that, so that you know how to adapt. It's definitely not all croissants and crepes! I knew somewhat how it works in France and what they eat, with my cousins living here. They eat their big meal in the middle of the day and eat a smaller meal in the evening, normally quite late, after 8p.m.

'Staple' foods and bases are as such cheeses, cured meats, mustard, bread, eggs, mayonnaise , vegetables - just so you have an idea.

The French adore their fromages!

Quiche is quite common

I'd greatly advise any of you who are picky eaters or hate all the foods above, and are planning to go au pairing, find out what the favourite foods of the household are BEFORE you go... That way you can decide to ask them if they mind if you cook your own meals if you know you don't particularly like what they eat and then it makes less awkward and easier for everyone, especially whoever cooks the meals in the household! Because in France, don't be conned into thinking that they'll make something 'plain' for the kids - the children here eat what is put in front of them and that's typically the same as the parent's meal. 

Bises, 

K x

Weekends on the Beach

26 degrees and gloriously sunny! 

Sunday was a fab day... I went on a picnic with my aunt, uncle, cousin and my uncle's brother's family. We went to this private beach at the hospital Renee Sabron in Giens. Fabulous place! It's a beach which has a pier out onto the water and is equipped with a path on the sand and raised loungers so as to be wheelchair accessible - perfect for my cousin Emilie. A wonderful place with picnic tables and hydraulic lifts so that those in wheelchairs can be lowered into the water, or onto a jet-ski (!!) Yup! - I haven't pictures of this though - justs take my word for it :) 

That water though!

You could see some fish here!

That's me!

Here are some photos taken in Giens the day before - a thunder storm was rolling in so it wasn't half as nice! There is this beautiful small garden and look out point on the hill in the town which has views all around the peninsula...

San Salvador beach and salt marshes in the distance

L'eglise de Giens - cute little town

Loved the washing line!

I sunbathed on the beach on Sunday and didn't burn in the slightest... However, while waiting for my bus back to Toulon in the evening (which was late) my back burned a bit and I have dress-tan lines!! :( 

It's back to the day job now though - no bother after such a wonderful weekend! Had the two girls today after school - they were great, for the most part, and the baby was in brilliant form as always! 

K x