Thursday, July 4^th

The Stars and Stripes are being replaced by Brioche and Baguettes this year.  We’re usually flying home on the 4^th but this year…we planned our trip for a few days later.

Missed out on the fireworks for another year!

Another sunny day and we decided to head to l’Estagnol.  If you are familiar with this blog, you will know that we drive to this beach every visit. It holds a sentimental place for my husband because he spent many summers nearby and loved this beach.

Back in the day, when he enjoyed visiting l”Estagnol, it wasn’t crowded. In fact, there were but a handful of people. Now it’s a bit different.  By 11:00 AM the small beach is packed.  He can’t stand the crowds.  In an odd way, I don’t normally care for crowds, but at the beach, if there’s room for my beach towel to lay on the sand, I’m fine.

The crowds appear strong because it IS a small beach.  It’s worth the crowds though.

We made sure Claire and Sophie were up very early because the drive is a little over an hour and Vincent wanted to enjoy a couple of hours before the crowds arrived.

Early in the mornin’ and we’re the first ones here. Exception being the boats!

Not quite the sea and not quite the bay. l’Estagnol is its own thing.  An inlet is more like it and you can float out till kingdom come while the water is still shallow. It is one of my favorite beaches.  Sophie and I amassed a lot of water time.

See how far out the shallows are? It’s my kind of beach!

It was an incredibly hot day and the sand was red hot.  I got lazy and stopped writing for the day.

Trust me, when I get lazy. I get lazy and all I wanted to do was recline on my towel!

But, again, I managed to cook dinner for everyone.  And we sat on the terrace enjoying the evening,

Friday, July 5^th

Okay. This second week has better weather than week one., We are back at the beach today. At St. Raphaël.   With a larger expanse of sand but crisp, cool water!  The drop is deeper, a couple of steps and I am in chest-deep sea—unlike the endless shallows of l’Estagnol!

Back at St. Raphael!

In the water a sizeable yellow and blue fish swims next to me then scurries away. Before leaving, my fish buddy touched my torso ever so slightly. I like to think he was greeting me with a deep sea “Bonjour”!  There is a current today. It is the strongest I have ever experienced here and it glides me sideways. I’ll enjoy it for a while.

So glad I found this pic online. This is the fish that was cozying up next to me! He’s lucky I didn’t eat him.

Morning gives way to afternoon, the wind picks up, persuading beach-goers to fold their umbrellas up or…it’ll be gone with the wind! The sun is playing peek-a-boo by hiding behind huge fluffy clouds then peeking out to say “I’m still here!”

The wind may have picked up but nobody is leaving!

The Praline Man is absent today but families are in the sea, volleying large orbs known as beach balls with each other. Older women floating by aimlessly with their noodles to keep afloat. Gulls are flying overhead in search of fishy snacks and other food items that might have been dropped in the sand.  A trio of sailboats is in the distance, their masts bare while swaying together in unison.

Book four in hand, I am emersed in the aftermath of the murder of the Imperial Romanoff family.

Late afternoon clouds roll in!

It is a good day.  And tomorrow is our last day before heading home.  Mentally, I’m packing for the return.  Emotionally, I’m sad but …then I think of my grandsons—I’ll be seeing them when we arrive home, so I’m fine! I also, odd as it seems, am looking forward to sleeping in my own bed!

It’ll be the last night of sitting on the terrace enjoying a long, lazy dinner that I cooked.  Our tradition has been to go out to dinner on our last night.

Our last dinner on the terrace with this view. 

Random Tip:  The beach has metered parking. The meters are not individually next to the cars. You gotta walk a bit.  I find the best thing is to take a photo of the license plate because you need to enter the number into the meter!

The meters are easy to use but make sure you take a photo of your license plate first or you’ll be getting exercise walking to and fro!

Saturday, July 6, th

Not gonna lie to you. All my happiness has turned to stress. It is the way I am.  Will our plane be delayed? Why did my husband not confide in my thoughts about traveling back home on a Sunday when I have to be at work on Monday. I do not get a day to unwind—and for one as self-centered as I am, that’s not good.

If I day drank, this would be me!

My packing is done. D.O.N.E.  I did my laundry.  Everything is clean. I’m being efficient and driving everyone else crazy!

Well, mostly clouds with a moment of sun at times.

We will stick to the pool today. It’s that mix of clouds and sun—perfect for reading and de-stressing. A yoga class is to our right.  In the pool is a student taking a lesson.  And after a few hours, the rain drops fall—but it isn’t that bad.

A last glance at the port from the pool. 

We headed into Cannes for a leisurely stroll at the port then headed to Au Mal Assis where dinner awaited us.  Not only that, but the server we had last year was there this year.  I got a nice greeting from him in the form of a bear hug.   I love the French.

Our last dinner of  our Summer trip to France 2024.

Our server from last summer!  I got a nice hug!

Dinner was nice. The restaurant isn’t haute cuisine but the food is good as is the atmosphere!   And the people-watching was stellar.

My prawn risotto was very, very good.  I might as well load up on as many carbs as I can.

Vincent started off with a salad but he wolfed his steak down in record time.

He eats so much steak that I swear he will come back as a cow!

I started off with Octopus salad!

That last night is always bittersweet.  You cannot believe that two weeks have flown by so quickly. You want to capture all the moments and replay them in the cinema of your mind, unlike the windmills of your mind-LOL!

Always fun to enjoy the boats on the port.

Look! The sun came out!

I tried to bribe this Lab with a treat but he still would not let me come aboard!

And this little guy didn’t give a merde!

Time to go to bed and try to sleep before heading to the airport!

Sunday, July 7^th

Early to rise to make everyone just as anxious as me!  Seriously, we had our last breakfast on the terrace, did the once-over to make sure all was in great shape and cleaned. Then packed the car and say au revoir to the apartment that has been our French home for the past 14 years.

The Last Breakfast!

Dropped the car off without a hitch.  Had to wait a while to check in but afterwards, did some last-minute shopping at Duty-Free.  Sailed by border control on my husband’s passport and relaxed until boarding.

Duty-Free was hopping!

Picked up my French recipe magazines to transcribe. This is so much fun!

The flight was full.  That is all I will say about that.  If I get my overhead space—I’m happy.

The welcome back to Philly pissed me off. Big time.

Vincent and I have Global Entry. We paid good money for this perk.  And, it is a blessing when traveling internationally.  We took our photos at the kiosk.  Our plan was to get all the luggage as Claire and Sophie do not have Global Entry and therefore had to wait on a long line.  Are you following?

We get to customs.  The not-so-pleasant customs agent, stopped my husband because, his Global Entry expired while we were away.  So, Mr. Pleasant would not allow my husband to go through.  He told him to wait on the long line.  Then Mr. Pleasant asked me if I would like to accompany my man.

My answer was a firm “No!”  I will go get the baggage.  I go to baggage and a while later Clair and Sophie show up and I explain what happened.  We wait.  We wait some more. And more. And no Vincent.  I could not call him because you cannot use your cell phones in the baggage area. (I miss New York). Finally, after 45 minutes my loving Frenchman shows up.  I asked him why he didn’t go on the Foreigner line.  He said there was none. Everyone had to stay on the same line.

And this my dear readers and friends is the shit show better known as Philadelphia International Airport!

Regardless, we got our baggage, met our driver-which was the greatest thing we’ve ever done because parking at Philly airport is even worse than the airport.

And when we arrived home, we unpacked immediately.  I took a nice relaxing bath and we had our aperitifs to wind down the vacation.  And, despite the weather, we had a wonderful time!

I hope you liked it!  Come along next summer!

I hope you enjoyed our summer 2024 trip to France!

Bye Theoule!

BONUS

I’ll show you the goodies I purchased.  As usual, the only pricey item is always the pair of Rondini sandals my husband treats me to.  And this year, he even picked out the sandals.  They are so incredibly comfortable. I’ve been wearing them a lot to work and for pleasure!

Picked up some lip gloss ans stick as well as a little blush at Auchan..

The tote on the left was two euros at the grocery store. I have one for Oona and she forgot to take it with her. The Cannes tote has been my work tote–it’s fun!

The back side of the grocery tote.

Bought a little purse-sized hand cream

Activity books for the grands

A very pleasant surprise. On the far left. Scent for hair. I’ve been using this on my wigs and it is great.  The waterproof mascara is incredible too. This brand Nocibe–I’ll be looking for it in Paris!

Bought this scent in St. Tropez. Doesn’t last long but it is nice and refreshing.

Still life of beauty! From the bottom: Biafine which is great for sunburn or any burn.  A313. This is supposed to be good. I’ve tried it a couple of times it’s not bad. On top of that is the scent from St. Trop and the Embryolisse rose-tinted face cream. It is FANTASTIC. I used it every morning.  Another scent.  More cream. Fragonard’s Lilas Limited Edition scent. I ended up buying it at Duty Free because I passed at the Fragonard boutique. It’s such a pretty lilac scent!

Salt and fake sugar tablets. I keep the fake sugar in my purse.

Fragonard Body Lotion (the absolute best) and bath gel–Fleur d’Oranger!

Cookies and candy for the grands.

And of course. New Rondini Sandals!