celebration in normandy

    

     Seventeen of us gathered in Normandy this August, this being the sixtieth birthday year for several of our closest friends including Ian: indeed our trip organisers, Sarah and Laura, had theirs whilst we were there (or just before in the latter case). We rented some large, typical traditional Normandy buildings in the grounds of a farmhouse; solidly built of brick, long and narrow with one room leading into another, in extensive grounds.

      Our home from home, Les Ecuries (“the stables”) is located in the tiny hamlet of Mesnil Bénard, between Rouen and Dieppe, deep into farming countryside in the département of Seine-Maritime. We drove down by various routes and looked forward to a week of fun and frolics, with a bewildering programme of activities organised meticulously planned by our esteemed organisers. If the vigorous schedule of sports and games was honoured more in theory than in practice, this didn’t at all detract from a wonderfully mad and hilarious time, with plenty to do in the surrounding area, and at home the sort of culinary finesse and libationary excess to be expected of our friends on such occasions. All despite one of the worst Augusts, weather wise, on record.

     The accommodation: The buildings were nicely restored, with a huge, well stocked kitchen in the main house ideal for us, given that we cooked every night except the last. The owner, a very friendly English lady, lives in the farmhouse adjoining nearby and was very accommodating when we had the odd problem. There was a range of comfortable spacious rooms, with a huge dining table to accommodate all of us.

     Just a short drive away is Saint-Saens, a sleepy and picturesque town in a steep valley, with enough decent shops to keep us supplied (and the odd bar to entertain us while visiting).

      There were plenty of local walks and cycle rides on dry days in the local Forêt d’Eawy, which includes the remains of one of the many V1 rocket launch sites that terrorised Britain towards the end of WWII. The forest is huge and provided with long trails, a quirky local cider museum and a neighbouring farm where they made and sold cheeses. We also visited the eccentric Jardins de Bellevue nearby.

      Some of us took trips to the coast, dodging the rain showers and arctic blasts. There are some pleasant little resort towns with traditional houses from Edwardian times when this coast was popular with the British and Parisian elite. An hour south is the city of Rouen. The cathedral dominates the city and the 14th century astronomical clock is a survivor from a prosperous age. The remains of the abbey of Jumièges beside the deeply incised gorge of the Seine were also worth a visit.

      Of course a trip with our friends wouldn’t cut the mustard without some wonderful meals and this week was no exception. Everyone took turns producing ever more elaborate meals, including a birthday feast for Sarah and Laura, making the most of local produce gathered on daytime trips. A fair few bottles of local wine completed the convivial atmosphere. We were able to eat outdoors on a few occasions, but the huge dining table fit us all comfortably.

      There were some very splendid breakfasts, thanks to Tana's early rising to cook mushrooms and tomatoes, and French black pudding,. Tony and Rob’s ten course tasting menu was gobsmacking too.

      For the active among us, there were reflexology, yoga, water aerobics in the pool, rounders, board games, a sixties quiz and an art competition were among many activities that kept us all occupied.

     But most of all it was a joyful week with a great group of friends.