Lavender and Linen

It's spring in Australia and I start my annual spring holiday today. I cant remember when it all startedvfor me, but I have an inbuilt need to have time off in September. I don't do the same thing every year, last year I was in India. For the next 10 days I will be doing a couple of different things here in Australia (saving money for France next year) which include going with my man to see Cadel Evans racing for world championship (cycling) in Geelong, Victoria. Then I'm going to have some time on my own, volunteering through the Willing Workers on Organic Farms (wwoof) scheme at a yoga retreat in a gorgeous town in Victoria's Spa district. Then I am off to do a training course for my other volunteer life as a rescue worker. I'm really looking forward to it all. But I apologise now, I doubt there'll be much blogging in the next 2 weeks.

So a little book review before I forget - I read Henrietta Taylors Lavender and Linen. This is, at least, her second book about life as an Australian in France... how could I not read this? In her first book, which is called 'Verve Taylor' or 'Escaping' she describes the painful experience of losing her husband to cancer and deciding to move from the gorgeous northern suburbs of Sydney, to a small village in Provence. I loved that book then so could resist this one. It's about how she's established a successful B&B business in Provence and raising her 2 children in a foreign country. She's very funny at times with the decisions she's made, from dogs, house purchases and lovers... But essentially it's a fantasy - well for me anyway - to be able to find a new life in a new country with the romance of France, the french language and the ideals of living in Europe. It's a great 'escapist' read...... strongly encourage getting lost in Provence with Henrietta.

As for holiday reading I've got a sad confession - my Madam Bovary book didn't arive before I left on holidays - so I've packed an older version to start reading with the read-a-long. I've also packed Murakami's 'Dance Dance Dance', and Stphen Downes "Paris on a Plate: a gastronomic Diary'.

I'll blog more when/if I find internet somewhere....