A quick hello from Brussels, Belgium.

So i’m in my last week of basically a solid past month of travel, venturing through gorgeous London, freezing Edinburgh, enchanting Paris, waffle-tastic Brussels and after a short train trip this afternoon, five final nights in (adjective pending) Amsterdam.

So much to tell you! Sooner than soon. I promise.

xxx

My Dad said I should be apologising for my shameful lack of posts over the past three weeks, and I have to agree. I’m sorry, dear readers! The world has just swallowed me up and i’ve been having too much fun to write about it.

I haven’t shown it, but I am grateful to have all of you. And i’m beyond stoked by what Google Analytics is telling me – increased readership despite my Absence Without Official Leave? That’s hardly congruent, i’d better lift my game.

So… what’s been happening? Me, I have just arrived back home to Montpellier after three blissful weeks travelling with my beautiful Mum. Life has been a flurry of suitcase packing and unpacking, long days exploring, culture contrasted with consumerism, incredible scenery, amazing local food, colours to photograph, so much laughter, countless idyllic moments, daily philosophical chats over our 5 o’clock G&Ts and memories that I know will be cherished for more than forever.

For the next few days, I must bury myself under my heavy, unreplied-to inbox & freelance projects that have been patiently waiting for my attention, but when I emerge, I actually have a couple of travel-free weeks ahead to enjoy my everyday French life and perhaps attend some french school.

No Ann-Marie, I have not been officially expelled as yet. (For those not in the loop, a family bet has been established, with two opposing parties predicting my expulsion, or non-expulsion from said language school due to my appalling attendance).

Regardless, I have every best intention to share more of my French life with you.
Love x x

For my first weekend in France, I was lucky enough to be taken to Normandy, a region north west of Paris. I stayed in a beautiful and traditional-style of house for this area (the grandparent’s home of the lovely people I have been staying with in Paris). Upon arriving, we had clementine juice and macarons in the Saturday afternoon sunshine and a beautiful dinner of fish, tomato/mozzarella/fresh herb salad, followed by a display of real-deal French cheeses and gâteaux from a local patisserie. The follow morning, we woke to a Sunday morning brunch spread of fresh croissants, baskets of fresh fruit and mugs of fresh espresso on the patio. While I struggled to follow the table conversation, the gorgeous river view before us and the glorious morning sunshine was a beautiful distraction from my lacking language repertoire.

After packing up our overnight bags in the car, we drove to Honfleur (famous for its picturesque port lined with a strip of slate-covered houses and colourful cafes below) to lunch and wander the local shops.

We then drove to Deauville, a very exclusive beach-side town where the richest Parisians live, holiday, or permanently holiday. It was a perfect day for a beach stroll, and a glorious way to finish off a pretty perfect weekend.