Catherine

It's the first day of October, a month that is neither here nor there but apparently has two eclipses with astrologers predicting growth, revelations and change. Others see it as the last breath of summer with autumn waiting around the corner. The sea is still swimmable and the beach offers a gentle sanity check as throngs of tourists thin out. It is a week of wait and see for several of us and the last heat of the year and daily dose of vitamin D are welcome!

What blue is your blue? Being one of the three primary colours, it sweeps down to deep petrol tones echoing the dark sea-green shades, upwards to a brilliant sky blue, through swirls of turquoise or aqua and then back to the formal, cool tones of navy. Now here comes your history lesson! Blue was one of the first real fabric dyes and the blue gemstone, lapis lazuli, was ground to create the lovely blue and white paint used in Asian ceramics. Prussian blue was created by a German pigment maker and it led to artists embracing the combination of

A birthday was celebrated with good friends, food and wine. We were a melange of French astrophysicists, another French man who would love to be Scottish and adores Wagner, a linguist who heart belongs to weaving past, present and future philosophies and her son who listened with bemusement, amusement and at times, astonishment. Some at the table are at a crossroad of life choices, others are about to take a leap of faith in to their own business, all of us were of an age to regard our history, laugh at past mistakes, gently mourn loved ones and still

It seems that cafes have taken over other meetings places as a safe haven for conversation and first dates for friends or potential love. Even sitting with a book and having a latte and cake is acceptable when on your own. And yet, we could stay home with wonderful machines and capsules or using coffee grinders to taste tantalising flavours hinting of different countries and climates but we choose to find our favourite caffeine spot. Cafes were originally seen as seedy dens of iniquity where outcasts, philosophers, artists and renegades met to discuss their ideas and to pass on

As the hot summer temperatures continue and French and Italian tourists swap coasts, the locals wait for the sun to lower before going out for an apéro. Tables and chairs are pulled out and colourful combinations appear competing with the sun bearing down, making it a pretty sight to see. The bright orange of Apérol spritz and cool wine piscines beckon with snacks and people flop around in the coolest clothing they can find and watch people passing by. A recent evening was fascinating as various nods and knowing looks were made as young ones in synthetic pyjama styles

Amitié, a lovely French word, meaning friendship and peaceful harmony and so relevant this year. 2023 has been full of endings and beginnings, opportunities and challenges and friends in all forms have come forward often at the 13th hour. When an Embassy visit was needed, French neighbours gave keys to their Paris apartment with the promise of a dinner as payment next time we meet. During a challenge, a work friend kept in contact across the seas offering support and checking in to ensure that the equilibrium settled. Others have been there to offer a drink, a kind word,

August is arriving and the heat is on. The beach beckons morning or early evening as the sun shimmers, the sand sizzles and the sea soothes. The song lyric springs to mind, 'mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun'. It is hot. Shades of orange and lemon can be seen in beach umbrellas, t-shirts and decor and sunflowers are appearing in the markets. Sunflowers are the classic symbol of the season and shout, summer is here. The history of sunflowers is fascinating as initially it was all about the oil, dye and healing properties. They are

"Summer afternoon, summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language" (Henry James). I am with him. Europe is hitting high temperatures in July and the beaches are full of umbrellas, suntan oil, seagulls and people soaking in the vitamin D on the sea. It is hot and everything has to slow down as we do a shoe shuffle walking to anywhere and everywhere. Suddenly blues, aquas and anything to do with fish and the sea is showing up in interior design. Readers of this blog will know that Feng Shui