Interiors

Summer gave a sigh and said farewell. Autumn has arrived with cooler air and a weaker sun in a clear blue sky.  The markets are full of colourful vegetables, mushrooms and you just know that it is time to rug up. Not being a fan of winter, it is at least mild where we live and soups beckon, pear and parsnip, butternut pumpkin and cinnamon, all with a swirl of creme fraîche. Some friends love this time of year but for me it has a sense of melancholy, so I approach it with the same thoughts as Nathaniel Hawthorne,

Tomorrow is the start of one crazy and emotional week - the US elections, a new moon for those into astrology, changing of the clocks, changing of the seasons and anything else that may come from left of field. All we can do is hope for the best, stay in a good mood and listen to happy music. Do whatever generates that feeling of love, hugging a tree, running a race, sitting on the beach, eating dark chocolate and then stay in that mood and dance to Huey Lewis singing, "The power of love is a curious thing, make

These old sail boats sat there on a day that was a sudden 24 degrees marking the end of a long and lovely summer. The next two weeks are dipping to lower temperatures and although that means the cooler breath of autumn is around the corner, I am grateful for the endless days in the Mediterranean azure blue sea. As I took my last dip for the season, I looked back on several months this year and the last, when the beach has soothed my spirit and thoughts through loss, change, new decisions, mapping our next steps and looking

As we have moved around the world, we have always managed to create a community or family of friends. They have been vital to survive and enjoy each place we have lived in through the ups and downs. Some have disappeared due to lack of connection or personal situations but many are still in our life and it would be amazing if all lived within an easy train, plane or car trip. With our New York couple, we have promised to try to see each other every year if possible. Our French neighbours from our first time in France

As we wait to sell our apartment, it has become a lesson in patience and a sense of time going by slowly. Time is an interesting concept when sorting out old clothes, photos and other souvenirs as poignant moments are recalled of a bygone epoch in your own life.  Currently, we are entering in to the 21st year of having left our homeland and it feels like a century ago. The summer is ending and it feels like it has been ongoing for months. Our local friends seemed to have been part of our lives for years and yet

Others spend their money on designer clothes, handbags and watches and go for it if that is what is desired. You will find me hunting for treasures in flea markets, antique stalls and goodwill shops. There is always the hope of finding something that catches your eye and says, you must have me. We have a Selangor pewter sugar bowl and cream jug given as a present decades ago. By chance, the same style teapot was up for sale for only 20 euros and after contacting the seller to alert them to the design, we happily bought it and

“It’s a sure sign of summer if the chair gets up when you do” – Walter Winchell. It is mid-August and the sun is frying, the sea is warm and even the seagulls are quiet. We get up early to swim in the morning heat and before the tourists arrive to put themselves on dial 6 to slow bake. There is a group of regulars and we bob our heads to each other in recognition. We say hello to the ancient, leathered-skin French ladies in bikinis, the Italian family that brings a suitcase of towels, food, umbrellas to set

Having a summer cold isn't great and a cup of tea in the afternoon soothes the throat. George Gissing said “The mere chink of cups and saucers tunes the mind to happy repose.” It does have a sense of ritual, a black Ceylon tea from the hills, in a lovely cup, can slow down the moment. How often have we seen a moment of crisis where the solution is supposed to be a cup of tea. Unfortunately, it is not but worth trying. And then Eleanor Roosevelt said, "A woman is like a tea bag: you never know how