Highlights of my summer 2010:
- World Cup Soccer from South Africa (despite the early departure of the England football team which brought a deep chagrin to this devoted fan).
- Enjoying a day trip to Mystic Seaport on the 4th July with the family, and learning about the whaling and fishing community of bygone days. The tall ships and houses of the nineteenth century village was enlivened by a costumed and musical parade in all its patriotic glory. On visiting one of the old, traditional village houses and seeing a lack of toys and embellishments, Carolina, 4, asks pityingly "Were they poor?"
- Drinking delicious Chateau Minuty rosé wine on the Cote d'Azur and in Provence accompanied by fresh fish and salads and fruits.
- Driving through the scintillatingly scenic roads of the South of France in a comfortable convertible with my husband, wind in our hair and Joe Dassin in our ears.
- Opera in Aix-en-Provence and enjoying Mozart's Don Giovanni under a starlit sky in a 18th century courtyard on 14th July, Bastille Day.
- Residing "chez un ami", Elias, in his magnificent home in St Rémy filled with lavender fields, olive and fig trees, stone walls; truly a home of traditional opulence and taste - a provençal Versailles! More importantly, the hospitality within the home exuded warmth and welcome in abundance.
- Visiting the new Musee des Lettres et Manuscrits in Paris and reading letters from Proust to his mother and his friends, seeing the original encyclopediae of Diderot and digesting the beauty and expressions of the French language
- Weekends in Westport spent by the pool, dancing and swimming to Mamma Mia music, entertaining the family with alfresco barbecue dining and beach and bookstore visits. Lots of family fun with Marcello, Flavia, Nathan and Carolina and then also Claudia and Amir with Ella and Maya.
- My first trip to Brooklyn, eating oysters in Sheepshead Bay and pancakes on Brighton Beach, courtesy of my friends, Anjali and Satish.
- Visiting our friend, Danielle's new home on the lake in Watermill in the Hamptons and taking a kayak through the water-lilly pads and reeds while listening to the silence and peace of the water. Reading Moby Dick on my new iPhone on the banks of the lake and later playing guitar to an appreciative audience.
- A birthday cocktail party (mine) held in a newly opened New York City rooftop bar with many friends I admire and cherish who all made the effort to attend. Plus a surprise visit by my nephew and wife, on their way to Casablanca and two cousins from Australia and Canada. A Soirée to Remember!
- Meeting my daughter, Karen's new beau, Anthony, and seeing her smiling from ear to ear, happily in love. Loving the fact he is a doctor and an Emergency doctor at that! Celebrating our meeting with champagne in Kettners, London. A good summer for Karen who, after working on Nigella Lawson's new cookery program, is flush with domestic skills and tips.
- Meeting my daughter, Stephanie's cute boyfriend, Max, a fellow student who plays the guitar, golf and oozes charm and politesse.
- Revisiting the place we grew up in London with all my brothers and sisters (bar one), with many of our offspring who looked on with great amusement as we stepped back into our childhood.
- Celebrating the 60th Diamond Wedding Anniversary of my parents in Somerset with all ten brothers and sisters, twenty (out of twenty five) grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Plus seeing again many of our close relatives and friends who we adore and have grown up alongside.
All the emotions of these reunions, family events and interactions and then the tearful goodbyes brought the summer to an exhausting end. Like the sun, we felt the warm rays of every moment, person and experience. The indulgence of this summer, enjoying the fruits of labour and love, is over and as I reminisce, I know I must face the next season with equal optimism, meticulous planning and overcome my regret that summer is over.
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