Every year in France they have the journee de Patrimoine, a heritage day where most of the large museums and sites of interest are open to the public for free over the weekend. One who loves a bargain, I wasn’t going to miss out. So, on a sunny Saturday afternoon we took a stroll down to the beach front (can I just say what is with this weather at the moment? More of this please!) where, docked all along the quay were old reclaimed and restored sailing boats. After driving a boat in Greece I decided my sea legs were perfectly content with staying on solid land.
I also decided that I want to be friends with this guy, who wasn’t fazed in the slightest by the crowds of people circling around him, craning their necks to see what he was painting, he just pitched up his little stool and got to work. Legend.
After nosying at the little stalls and vintage cars we stumbled onto the beach. Stumbled is true as I still haven’t figured out how people make walking on pebbles look effortless. I’m always the one shrieking as my feet skid on a slippery stone and tumble down the shore. This is made even harder when holding an ice cream. Obviously saving my pistachio glace was way more important than breaking an ankle.
The part of the weekend I was most looking forward too was getting access to the enormous flour mill in the town, open to the public for tours for the first time ever. It’s actually owned by my uncle but for years has been gathering dust and attracting pigeons competing in some poo dropping challenge. However, after getting the approval to open its hundred year old doors a major clean-up has been taking place.
Getting to see crowds of eager locals finally able to have a glimpse at what goes on in this enormous mill was priceless. The old offices had been recreated to resemble what it used to look like back in the day, tour guides had been drafted in to explain how the imposing wooden machines worked and a film of the process of making flour played on repeat. Over 700 people came to have a look around and I know just how happy that made my uncle. Seriously, this mill is his baby.
Of course, my weekend was also spent celebrating my 3 book deal! I had cheek ache after smiling so much last Friday when it was announced. I popped the fizz, received beautiful bouquets of flowers and felt so stupidly happy. Reading through all the messages of support I’ve received via Facebook, the many RT’s and comments on Twitter and likes on Instagram was overwhelming, not to mention the fact that people have been pre-ordering my novels (eeekk!!) making my heart sing more than you’ll ever know.
You, yes you, are amazing.
Hope you’ve had a brill weekend? Whatdya do? Tell me all!
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