10 May 2015 - Happy Mothers' Day (for Australians anyhow!)

The day started or at least could have started before dawn with Annika awake with a headache needing a neck massage and Luke awake because he was lonely!  My early morning reflections on motherhood simply were that this is what mothers do: they love and nurture and care for their children at all hours of the day and despite the weariness, they would have it no other way.  Fortunately and unusually, I managed to go back to sleep as did the wakeful ones and by the time I woke for the day, the sun was high in the sky.

Before long, I had a cup of tea in bed, a lovely card from Tim and a sweet card from Luke and Sasha (!) and some camelias from the garden here and my day had officially started.

Cards and camelias!

 The birds were in full song to herald the beautiful day and Tim and I had a brisk walk to the mirror like lake.  Cities are our next points of call until September, so let's embrace this lovely countryside!

 

What better way to start the day!!

At home, we would usually go to church on Mothers' Day, and I would cry at the lovely sensitive words to mothers, those who have lost their mothers or had strained relationships with them, to those who for one reason or another haven't been able to be mothers, and for those grieving for myriad reasons, and then we would visit my parents and have a meal with Karl's parents, so today was different.

Luke in his hideout in the garden!

More cards and more flowers!

 Throughout the day Luke and his friends picked me wildflowers and made beautiful cards and showered me with love!  Annika cooked for hours to produce a fabulous spread.  How very special!

Annika's "Cafe @ the Dot"

 We remarked on how wonderful it is to be in France and how we will remember this in years to come.  A lovely celebration indeed!  Well done Annika and her Red Dot Cafe!

Mothers' day spread - by Annika!

A happy mother!

Still smiling after working so hard for my special treat!

Feeling in great need for a decent walk after all the yummy-ness of the Mothers' Day spread we decided to explore the other side of the lake near to the Causeway.  It seemed that people had come from miles around as they were at least 20 cars!  There is an eatery either side of the Causeway, both of which were open today.

Lakeside ramble through long grass and buttercups.

Irises growing  on the lake's edge

Lakeside path

Not quite knowing where we were walking we followed a slightly worn grass path by the lakeside which eventually opened out into a farmer's track and finally came out near our  coypu pond!  Tim ran home from there whilst the rest of us walked back along the path and across the Causeway again to say "hello" to the horses and curious cows.  It is good for 16 year olds to exercise their independence and for Tim it is running home along country lanes in a foreign country!

Curious cows

 There was quite a crowd on the plage (beach) by the lake.  The water didn't look all that clean but quite a few people were in the water.  I suppose lake water will never look as clean as sea water. We could hear the coypus calling and making quite a racket.  I would rather like to kayak around the edge of the lake.  It was so very lovely and devoid of motorboats and any other noisy vehicles.

Sandcastle building on the plage

  Back in time to make the pizza dough and prepare for dinner with our host/neighbours outside tonight.  The long evenings here are perfect for leisurely meals and chatting.  Time is not important for us but we had to be mindful that the younger ones who need sleep, especially Luke's friends who start at school tomorrow.
 

Waiting for our dinner guests - another outdoor meal in the beautiful garden setting.

We had a most enjoyable evening with Rod and Maelisa and their children and heard more stories of their life in Zambia.  It has been very lovely staying here at their gite and the children have loved the open space and freedom to explore and enjoy the wonderful garden.