French Escape

  I studied French at school and gained a very respectable grade in my O’level but that was fifty years ago, so I think that I can be forgiven for having forgotten some of it. I have been glad of the weekly French lessons at the library and seemed to be making some progress, until Régine, the teacher, introduced the subjunctive. I’m sure that, at school we didn’t reach the dizzy heights of the subjunctive—but in an all girls grammar school, I don’t think we were allowed wants, desires and abstract thoughts. After the first lesson grappling with le subjonctif , I thought that I might have to manage without it  but then I realised that I might need to say ‘It is necessary for the plumber to come today’ or ‘I want you to do the washing up’.  So I knuckled down to learn the basics. Take the third person plural of the verb, remove the ‘ent’ and add -e, -es, -e, -ions, -iez, -ent, all of which sound the same (or in fact are silent) except the nous and vous form. Simple. That is until you get

What an eventful week. Purchases, publishing, pre-contract and presentation. On Monday I drove to Intermarché to buy all the essentials for the week.  I took a list and as usual, didn’t look at it, so I arrived home without the one thing that I had run out of: margarine that promises to lower my cholesterol, (this product has an uphill struggle with all the other things that I am eating—in fact, is about as useful as planting one tree to offset a flight to the Bahamas). The omission of course necessitated a  walk into town to visit the small Carrefour that seems to stock everything (but doesn’t have parking).  I bought my margarine but then, couldn’t waste the opportunity to tour all the shoe shops in search of boots and take advantage of the wonderful sales that are on everywhere. I found and purchased a pair of  boots— perfect fit, the right colour, lovely soft leather, and full price! I think that this had better be my last purchase until the flat is secured… Helen Hart, publishi

  Between Christmas and New Year we went flat hunting and the first property we visited stole my heart.   A small apartment in Chalet des Rosiers—the house that Queen Victoria stayed in when she visited Menton— adjacent to the Jardin Botanique de Val Rahmeh. The estate agent showed us other properties but nothing could match it. With its own garden,   away from the hustle and bustle but within walking distance of the sea, we couldn’t imagine why it had not been snapped up (at the same time, feeling grateful that everyone else wants convenient, low maintenance). Within a week we had made and offer and it has been accepted!.  Now the fun begins… Beautiful frescoes A garden to die for ? Writing Corner 1882 A hint of a sea view Living in Menton I have missed my family, friends, book group but I have not missed many  things . Perhaps when I go back and start to work out what I will need for a more permanent move, the things that make up my life in England, will take on more importance. All

  With the Christmas decorations back in their boxes, cards taken down and husband, Stuart, back in England, the apartment felt empty (and very tidy). It's time to get my head down and start writing again.  While I’m waiting for my manuscript to come back from the editor, I have started writing a new book, new characters new genre. I’m not exactly sure where it’s going, it may not work but I’m enjoying trying. In between I have started to put together the talk that I’ll be giving in St John’s English library later in the month—come along if you can. The week wasn't all work, I walked to the  Jardin Botanique Val Rahmeh — this time making sure that it was open before I set out. As I walked up the drive, the beauty and tranquility of the garden brought tears to my eyes. It is small, only one hectare in area but terraced into the mountain, there are delights at every turn. Originally an agricultural estate, it was bought by a British army general, in 1905 and landscaped into a g