February ‘25

Bonjour, ça va?

I realised after more than two years of monthly posts here on Substack, that I always call the posts by the name of the month, I wondered if maybe I should start to indicate the year of posting, hence ‘25!

I’m sitting beside the fire in our ‘Little Breton Beachhouse’ whilst Storm Herminia blusters and roars outside. The storm is fierce, incase there’s a power cut, I have meals planned that could be cooked on the gas hob, rather than the electric oven.

A Power Cut Menu

Breakfast - Porridge followed by Soda Farls (freshly made in an iron skillet)

Lunch - Fish Soup (using a jar from St Barbe - the local cooperative in Roscoff), with Rouille, grated cheese and Bread

Supper- A tin of Chickpeas, with a jar of organic Ratatouille, gently heated together

Hopefully we will have no need for these emergency plans, but I’m pleased I’ve kept the old stove top kettle to ensure coffee or tea all day! * Thankfully no power cuts, but it has been a dreadfully stormy week, lots of flooded fields and diversions, where rivers have overflowed their banks.

Despite the weather: stormy and incredibly chilly, plus a frightful cold, which meant in addition to my lovely hankies, I have worked my way through three boxes of Kleenex Balsam Tissues, January has been quiet and peaceful at home, with lots of time to read.

As I mentioned before I’m re-reading Jane Austen this year, along with my Instagram friend @instasara.

We started with Sense and Sensibility, I’d forgotten just how well it was written, and how amusing!

I also watched the 1995 film,(which has just left Netflix) and listened to a Radio 4 production on BBC Sounds. I have previously watched the BBC TV production from 2008. Additionally there is a new (2024) Hallmark production, which I haven’t seen, I think it may only be available in America at the moment. Neither am I sure where to find either the film or BBC TV production, but can’t believe that they won’t be available on a screening platform somewhere during this 250th Anniversary year. I will endeavour to find out and appraise you!

In February we’ll be reading Pride and Prejudice. There’s a super article in today’s The Times full of ideas if you want to join in one or more of the Jane Austen celebrations.

I’m looking forward to February in Richmond, we have lunch planned with my eldest son and his wife, we’re going to The Petersham Hotel, (it’s been a family favourite since we had our Wedding Reception there, nearly forty years ago!) The restaurant has one of the loveliest London views, across the Petersham Meadows. It’s a view that was painted by Turner, Reynolds and other illustrious artists, which is now protected by an Act of Parliament! If you’re visiting Tate Britain it’s well worth looking at Turner’s original painting!

This painting is in the Petersham Hotel

Later in the month our daughter will be home from her Gap Year travels, the following weekend the whole family will gather to celebrate her return, we’ll also have a birthday cake. I love a carrot cake, even this early in the year. I use an old recipe I found ages ago in a magazine, it is similar to this Simple Carrot Cake recipe from the BBC. I substitute pecans for walnuts.

I’m looking forward to early spring flowers, we’re so fortunate to have beautiful paperwhites, daffodils and multi-coloured tulips so readily available. It’s worth keeping some lovely ribbon on hand to repackage supermarket flowers. If I’m visiting a friend, I’ll ditch the cellophane and tie the flowers in an extravagant bow.

I was idly scrolling through Instagram the other day, when I saw a link in Trish Deseine’s stories for a ´new’ fashion trend, (apparently already huge on Tic Toc) « Fisherman Core » . I and many others who holiday here in Brittany, have, completely inadvertently, been embracing this ´new’ trend for many years.

In the summer Brittany’s seaside towns are awash with blue and white Breton striped tops and jumpers, with sailing shoes and boots, with bucket hats and peaked caps. In my own wardrobe here in France, there are plenty of stripy tops, jumpers, even a blue and white skirt and a pair of striped trousers. And of course my lovely blue and white handbags. The larger one was from Saint James a super company if your looking for that classic Breton nautical look. The smaller bag is from a collaboration between Saint James and Coach , it is still possible to occasionally find one on a second hand website.

I did a little search on the internet, (when it was working) and found a suggestion for a new bag to fit the « Fisherman Core » trend, is the Longchamp Filet bag, which I think rather sweet, but also rather expensive! Alternatively one could order an original Filet bag from Normandy. I am delighted with the Sienna Miller bag I bought last year, from her Summer 2024 collaboration with Marks and Spencer. It is a super and very useful summer bag, I know I will continue to use it, on repeat, this coming summer. It is beautifully made, complete with a draw string lining, there is no anxiety about things falling out through the gaps, the other bags would need purses or zipped folders to ensure no lose of pens, earbuds and phones! (Sadly the Sienna Miller bag is no longer available, but there are several on Ebay, they are rather expensive, virtually matching the Longchamp Filet Bag!)

I’ve always loved Longcamp Le Pliage, so useful for popping into a suitcase, then bringing the bag home as hand luggage brimming with those little gifts for family, friends and self. They’ve been around for over 30 years. When I was younger I tended to wear plain colours: navy, black and brown, I loved a pop of colour with my accessories. I simply couldn’t resist an orange bag.

I’ve used my bag whenever I’ve travelled during the last 25 years. I was really upset, when we arrived here in Brittany , last Spring, to discover a large stain on the bag. I have no idea what it was, I washed the bag and I tried various things to remove the stain but it wouldn’t budge. I thought that it was the end of the bag.

Then I found an orange, lobster shaped, iron-on fabric patch, in the local hyper market and I wondered if it might work to cover the stain. A single lobster was not sufficient, however three lobsters have worked a treat, now the bag will be usable for the foreseeable future, and easy for me to recognise.

I do hope the weather improves, I’ve missed long walks on the beach this January. Both the dog and I are ´Fair Weather’ walkers, she has refused long tramps even on more sheltered walks. Given the flooding, the gales and the almost constant rain I completely endorse her position. Like her I’d rather be cosy and warm by the fire, we’ll miss it next week, though I think the central heating will make up for any serious yearnings for flickering flames!

A ten year old greyhound + a warm fire = perfection

Take care until next month. As well as the weather we’re struggling with the internet here. Fingers crossed this is newsletter is saved and I hope I can publish it on the First of February!

Flowers + gorgeous ribbon

A Bientôt

Judith xx

PS it looks like the internet is working, I tried to post several times this morning, hoping it works now!