A different subject this month, but it is the holiday season!!

Do you prefer to stay in a hotel or in rented accommodation? It’s a clear choice for me as I enjoy being waited on, no housework to do and delicious food to choose the moment that I’m seated at the table! Having lived in a bungalow, houses, flats, over our Post Office, in a camping car and a Haven mobile home, my husband and I planned to spend our final years as hotel residents! We nearly bought a house-boat on the River Seine in the centre of Paris, but it rocked every time a “sight-seeing” tour boat went by.

I would still choose to live in a hotel providing I could afford to invite my family and friends to visit me. You would have the privacy of your own bedroom and life would never be boring or lonely, the staff would be your friends and the guests would be constantly changing. Only one draw back as far as I am concerned, you couldn’t choose the hotel’s colour scheme. I love blues and greens.They lift my spirits. Three mallard ducks often sit on our roof, visible from my kitchen window. How glorious they look when the sun shines on their feathers! Even when you live in a flat you can’t choose the colours for the entrance hall and stairs.

Marshfield Park is being redecorated and the majority of the residents voted for the same colour of replacement carpet that they have had for years. Only the owners of two other flats wanted something brighter, so the three of us were outvoted. The dull fawn reminds me of Anita Brookner’s book “Hotel du Lac” (for which she won the Booker prize). She describes the hotel’s colour scheme as being like “overcooked veal”. It’s beyond my comprehension how anyone prefers the colour of a dusty road to that of sky, sea and trees!

I know several hotels where I am sure life would be fun. I would probably choose L’Harriot. It’s called that because the previous owner was Claude Harriot. My husband and I often stayed at his other hotel in Wimereux. The Harriot in those days was just a lively brasserie with red-checked tablecloths, candles and guitar music. One evening, recognising us, the young musician came to our table, put his foot on my chair, looked into my eyes and serenaded me with the Beatles song “Something in the way she moves”. It remains a favourite memory! With my friend Peter we’ve already stayed there three times this year and have two more booked! YES, I definitely enjoy hotel “stays”!

Would you like to tell me about your special holiday memories so that I can share them with our readers?

Thanks in advance…

Enjoy July wherever you are and whatever you are doing. I hope that every day is a special one!

                          Esmé

When I see television adverts for Haven holidays, I remember with great pleasure our nine years working for that company in France. Although I enjoyed teaching and we had a rewarding time running the Wells Post Office—working in the holiday business was most fun! Everyone arrived intending to have a wonderful time, so we did too.

The year before we retired, and moved to the Côte d’Azur, we won the prize for the best Camp Site managers. How was the decision made? It was determined by how many of your holiday-makers rebooked with Haven. We had many customers who became friends and followed us from site to site. Some of them still keep in touch with me.

I think that in our Churches, other places of worship, organisations and clubs, the same criterion exists. Newcomers fall into three categories. A few people never return. Some people still attend, but don’t really want to be involved or join in. Luckily, there are those folk who become regular members and are a great asset because of the amount they contribute.

The couple whom I am featuring this week are definitely in the third group! Diane and Derek West own and run the Riverside drive residential mobile home site in Frenchay Village. Derek’s father bought the quarry there and developed it to it’s present day use. Before that the family lived in Birmingham. After some years Derek stopped driving heavy goods vehicles and followed in his father’s footsteps!

How did he meet Diane—a Bridgwater lass? Well— after leaving the Grammar School there—Diane came to Bristol to train as a nurse at the BRI. However, most of her career took place at Frenchay Hospital where she became a ward Sister. Whilst at the BRI, one of her patients happened to be a friend of Derek’s and he arranged a ‘blind date’ for the pair of them—another case of love at first sight! They were married in 1964 and two more “Ds” arrived! Donna and Deborah have since given them the joy of three grandchildren.

Diane often came to ‘St John the Baptist’ with her mother Olive. When Olive died Derek came With Diane. An Alpha Course followed and in 2010 Derek was confirmed. Like me they appreciate the friendly family  atmosphere we share. One post has quickly followed another—they work together as Sidespeople. With their smiling faces and approachable manner, they are well Suited to this task of welcoming people as they arrive for services. They are also joint Secretary and verger for the Churchyard. This is a job needing compassion and understanding so they ’fit the bill’ again. Derek assists at Communion and has recently become a Server. He’s also on the Fabric Committee which involves many tasks—such as chopping down trees.

It is not only the big things that count—the zimmer frame of the lady I bring to Church wouldn’t fit into the boot of my car. What happened? Diane found one in their garage, so they brought it to Church  and Derek brings it out when we arrive and helps Iris into Church.

However it’s not a case of all work and no play. They are widely travelled—their best holiday being a month in Australia visiting extended family. They enjoy good food! Diane especially likes brown shrimps, so I hope to bring some back for her when I go to France next. Derek prefers a roast beef dinner. Talking of food—they are loyal members of my Lunch Club. After our Christmas Lunch at Tortworth Court for the last two years, they have stayed overnight. Who says that romance is dead? How lovely it would be if everyone used their talents for the good of others!

THANK YOU Derek and Diane!

Cookery Ideas

What do we enjoy eating in late Spring Time? Probably less stews and casseroles but nevertheless something tasty. Why not stuff some large field mushrooms? In the supermarkets you can buy 3 or 4 for £1. Clean them by brushing them—never use water as they are very absorbent. I often buy these large mushrooms in preference to button mushrooms as they have more flavour.

Slice some finely—fry in half butter and half oil until golden and scatter them over scrambled eggs or cheese on toast. The latter is now very popular in French Basseries. Instead of “Croque Monsieur” advertised in the windows, it says “ Le Welsh” or sometimes “Le Welch”. It differs from our version as they often add beer to a thick cheese sauce and pour it over the toast.

To make stuffed mushrooms pre-cook the mushrooms while you make the stuffing. Just sprinkle them with a little olive oil and cook gently. For the stuffing use some good quality sausages which you skin and mash with a fork. Add some very finely sliced shallots and your favourite herbs. I would add some garlic, but some of you may prefer chilli (That’s my worst thing)  Now fill the cavities in your mushrooms. Don’t pack it in too firmly. Scatter the top with breadcrumbs, dot with butter and cook gently in your oven. Watch carefully as you may need to protect them with foil. Usually they take about 20 minutes. They make a good starter with toast fingers. As a main meal I would add a cheese sauce, chips or rice and perhaps some baked beans! Enjoy!

My thought for May: Try something new. If your dreams are to come true  - you must wake up!

Have fun,
Esmé