Yesterday was the last day of the boys' two week half term and what a way to end it. Usually, by November 1st, we are looking at chilly weather, maybe an overnight frost or at least rain or cold fog. Not this year though when, like most of France and the UK, we were basking under clear blue skies and summer temperatures. A true Indian Summer in Normandy.
We started with a late breakfast in the garden after I had hung the washing on the line (washing that was dry in a couple of hours).
We did then toy about going up the beach (friends went and had a fabulous time both on the beach and in the water!) but we decided a day at home playing games was what we all wanted. First it was the 3-D game of Connect 4 known as RapidFire. It is the same idea as normal Connect 4 but instead of placing the coloured buttons in the rack, one at a time, you fire them rapidly from your own launcher into a horizontal frame. It's fast, fun and not at all easy!
After Connect 4 we moved down to the play area for a family match of the quintessentially French game of petenque, also known as boules. Tom and I versus Ben and Simon. Sadly, after a commanding early lead, Tom and I were beaten in a nail biting finish to the better team. Here's hoping the weather holds for a rematch.
But the warm weather fun was not over for the boys - I went to cook dinner, Simon to do some paperwork and the boys decided trampolining whilst chucking water over each other would be a good idea. Cold water, straight from the tap!
And all the while Saari and the pigs were sunbathing!
Despite the warmth, though, there are still plenty of signs that it was REALLY November 1st. Simon collected 2 baskets of chestnuts, some of which we'll eat and some will go to the pigs and the autumn colours continue to be fabulous. What a way to start November!
If you want to enjoy late autumn in Normandy we do have availability for the next few weeks. Whilst we cannot guarantee this sort of weather we do guarantee you a warm welcome whatever the temperature! For further details and to make a booking please visit our website or email us by clicking here.
It was just as hot if not hotter last year at the same time in Normandy as we were there in t-shirts in our barn. The day we left to drive to Millau in Aveyron I remember the car saying it was 24° and we were all freaking about climate change. It is lovely but rather worrying too. We have the same weather in the south but it's pretty normal for us as we tend to swim in the sea till early Nov every year.
ReplyDeleteI remember it being warm when you were up here last year but hadn't realised it was so late in the year. Friends did go swimming in the sea on Sunday but it was a tad chilly!
DeleteFacebook keeps reminding me with those annoying memories that they bombard you with, we were in Millau on 2 Nov and we celebrated Halloween at the barn so it was definitely the same time of year.
ReplyDeleteI must have somehow opted out of those but it proves you are right. I assumed it was earlier as the weather was so warm!
DeleteSounds just perfect and the capture on the trampoline is just perfect. Xx
ReplyDeleteIt was one of those really unexpected and utterly lovely days. Thank you :)
DeleteOh wow, a bit envious of your nice lifestyle. At least it has been quite warm here in the UK too.
ReplyDelete#pointshoot
Ha ha - there are plenty less salubrious bits involving animal poo, 6.50am school runs and mountains of frequently incomprehensible paperwork to trawl through!!
DeleteI LOVE that trampoline photo, fantastic capture. We spent last weekend in the sea, it was so hot, this weekend however is wet and cold!
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up with Point + Shoot xx
It's not quite so warm now but still lovely weather for November.
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