An elemental post - Water

When I posted about air the other day I realised that I'd probaly be able to work my way through the elements using holiday photos - holidays are quite elemental things, really.This post is also related to my resolution to enjoy life to the full. One of the things I first found myself really enjoying this year, for maybe the first time, was taking the boys to the swimming pool. I decided not to get stressed, not to get worried, not to get bored, and just enjoy it. Guess what - it was really enjoyable!

So I had an inkling that it might actually be possible to enjoy sea-bathing too, and I tried it out with rather more confidence than I have on previous holidays (the sea wasn't grey, except on the evening I took these photos). And - guess what? - it was fantastic! I wonder how up-tight I've been all these years, not to enjoy such a full-on elemental experience? (Ben need not reply. I know the answer, really...)

Since I was driving the Car Without Airconditioning today (33° inside and out), I leapt into our little pool as soon as I came home. Once again, relax and enjoy the moment...

Note to self: This principle probably works throughout life, not just with regard to water...

Saturday Vide Greniers - the warm-up

Son 2 and I popped off to the Vide Greniers in the town next door today. I discovered button tubs!This Vide Greniers is in a more modern part of the town, near a supermarket, but there are still some beautiful sights amongst the stands.We bought a very big bundle of Bionicle parts (these are Lego robot-type creatures, for the uninitiated) which was good value for at least 24 different characters, as far as we can see. From the vintage point of view, I found this sweet jug (it's quite small) for a euro, and these buttons from two stalls (total 1 euro 20).

Have a look at the buttons - these were strung together, but of course they're quite different. I like both types, though. The flowery one will go very well with the collection I brought over from my mum's. I still don't know how I'm going to display them...Snazzy, almost hat-shaped buttons. 1950s, perhaps? 1930s? What do you think? And some MOP, of course...Here's the base of that jug.

And here's the other side. Unfortunately, our wild roses have gone over now, because they'd look great in this jug!

And finally, I got some shabby patchwork seat cushions for our outdoor chairs. Comfortable bottoms all round at lunch time!Meanwhile, Son 1 and Ben have been extremely active, firstly planting out four tomato plants, which Son 1 must water, which he can then eat from any time he wants! (He tends to graze on our tomato plants, so we're protecting our own harvest by doing this.)

They then went on to lay out our exciting second hand swimming pool, and prepare the gravelled area for the pool to be set up. They're currently out buying sand to make the area properly flat, and they THINK they may have the pool up by tomorrow evening! That depends on how long we all spend at our own town's Vide Greniers tomorrow, perhaps...

Exciting Troc news

Following up an advert in the local 'kine' (physical therapist), Ben is currently buying and dismantling a small swimming pool from some local people who are on the move - only 80 euros!!! It's a splash pool not an olympic-type one, but 80 euros only, with all extras!!!... He's kindly decided to buy the rocking chair which was also advertised, not so much to please his wife (I am very pleased), as to be kind to the poor sellers, who are in some kind of tricky situation, he tells me on the phone. So, a small pool and a rocking chair, coming our way soon...

Prayers for the vendors too...