L'enfer où Paradis?

Last full week of our long beautiful summer in France. Time has passed as sand drifting through my fingers, much too quickly. I try to hold on to the keep-sake moments in time: walks with Eliot on the beach trails in Pornic, Croisic and Noirmoutiers, shared meals with family inspired by the French cuisine, late afternoons in Croisic beach witnessing the joy of Eliot discovering the vast space, new textures, smells and salty tastes. He has been thrilled! As I write the post it is his 14 months birthday. Over the summer he has grown from a baby to a tiny (and quick!) little toddler. With his cute sideway walking, giggling, and communicating clearly his likes and dislikes he has captured the whole family under his charm😍 This summer will stay in my mind also through the shared moments with friends (new and old). Without exception, in every place we have encountered curiosity and kindness confirming the French can be indeed very warm and helpful people ready to compliment the children, consolate an unhappy one or simply smile with encouragement. I have enjoyed to witness the closeness of families of often three generations at the farmers markets carefully selecting the prime ingredients and later enjoying the lunches together around the long garden tables. I have enjoyed observing the "same" families in Sunday messe, dressed in their best, trying to keep the children calm during the ceremony. It has been comforting to see the struggles all of us parents carry in our efforts to raise our respective tribus to grow up civilised ones. What a relentless and definitely not always gratifying quest! Yesterday I asked what my children will remember most of this summer. Each of them mentioned the historical theme park Puy de Fou we visited the previous day. "Everybody" had been recommending the place and indeed, it was probably the most impressive theme park we have so far been. The list went on with fishing, games on the beach, catamaran camps and new friends. As my last long holiday before returning to work, we wanted to offer "the best summer" we could for our family. To keep my records positive, I hesitate to write about the inevitable travel fatigue, the disputes over ipads and the frustrations for various important and less important reasons. After two months of travelling, I am not sure we feel much more charged with energy for the fall either and the couple times can be counted with one hand fingers. Looking forward to find home , own bed and the good old routines!