Just pack and fly away

And it's pretty much what we did. Spontaneity does not go hand in hand with small children, but sometimes it's possible (especially if you are not attached to school holidays). So off we went to our favourite place in a very sunny Greece. Last minute meant no necessary unnecessary bikini shopping, lots of running around trying to get various items (a lot of cute summer dresses) for Little Miss S, squeezing in a pedicure, drop off Cayman the dog at our very accommodating friends' house and even managing a glass (or two) of wine whilst there. Mr Hubby did a very 'man thing' and got all of his stuff at the airport!

Flight went reasonably well. 8pm departure meant it was past Little Miss S's bed time and she did get agitated. She likes pushing her own pram around so we did that for about 30 minutes. We walked past Champagne and Caviar bar, both Hubby and I gazing longingly at ice cold bubbly and lobster, but Little Miss S had other ideas, so we settled in at kid's play area with a cup of coffee. As we were eventually getting on the plane, Little Miss S had a little cry big scream, but eventually fell asleep  and slept right through the whole flight, meaning mummy and daddy did have an opportunity to toast the beginning of their holidays with a glass of champagne.

From this point onwards it has been great. We have established a routine for Little Miss S. I think in order to have a relaxing holiday with a toddler, it is important to set a routine because children like that. I get to have my 'me' time once she is napping in her Sun Sense tent on the beach (best invention ever). In the evenings she likes falling asleep in her cot, so once she in a land of nod, Hubby and I will put her in a pram and will pop over next door for a lot some food and local wine. Yes, we do the same thing every day but it works and everyone is very happy and relaxed. What more could you possibly want!

More to come...

Holiday where I can breathe easy ...




Coffee and thoughts on the lake ...

We are trying to book a holiday. And it's like mind vs heart or sense vs sensibility...All inclusive convenience vs simple place where we can just be left 'to be'.

With Little Miss S now being an established toddler this particular holiday is going to be slightly different from the last one. She now needs lots and lots of space (safe space!) to run around and explore. Preferably with a few toys on site that we do not need to transport all the way from London. Something extremely close to the beach. Well, actually on the beach so when the nap time comes we can swiftly and quickly retreat to our room (ideally overlooking the beach and the sea) without walking or driving in the heat. We need something where meals are constantly being served - so if for whatever reason, be it tantrum or boredom, we need to leave - we can always come back later... You see where I am heading now...to my worst nightmare - all inclusive holiday. OK, so I am slightly over exaggerating. It is not actually the worst thing that can happen. I appreciate every single holiday I go to, no matter how many holidays I have already been on. I never stop being excited because, I think, once you lose excitement and appreciation of your travels, you pretty much lose interest in life. I never ever hated any of my holidays. It's just that I, or actually we as Hubby has the same opinion, very much prefer to do things in our own time, on our own terms rather than being tied up to the whole 'schedule' of all inclusive. Holidays that I really cherish and immensely enjoy are actually holidays to 'simple' places. We all need a bit of luxury and papering from time to time but, actually (honestly), too much luxury can get rather tiring. The problem with luxury is that you have to keep up with it. So for instance, if you are going for a meal at the end of your 'hard day' on the beach of your 5 star plus hotel, you still need to look luxurious and sometime looking luxurious is too much of an effort. Sometimes you just want to disappear, to blend in with the locals, to not care, to not think, to not pretend, to not try. You just want to be. To breathe easy without anyone watching you.

I have a few places like that. One of them is our summer house on the lake in Lithuania where you wake up early in the morning and drink your coffee on the lake in just your pyjamas...well, actually just your bikini bottoms...naked if you are comfortable with that. Sun is shining, fish are jumping. You can hear your neighbours across the lake but you cannot see them... Sauna, beers and night time swimming in the lake under the moon. Fresh smoked fish (neighbour has a smoking house). Local women can bring you fresh bread, milk and honey from the village. You can spend the whole week in just your bikini. No make-up, no worrying about what to wear... a week there and your mind is so clear you sometimes forget who you are. We are going there later in the summer.

We also go to this place in Greece. Went there while I was still pregnant with Little Miss S and keep going back. It's our secret escape. So simple but so nice. The gem is basically in the people. We got to know the owner of the apartments and we got to know the people who run a lovely authentic Greek taverna near by. Nothing fancy, very simple but very welcoming. You feel part of their community there and that's another thing that I love about travelling. I want to learn about the culture and food. To form friendships.

As I'm typing this I'm feeling more and more aprehensive about the all inclusive (no matter how luxury) option... The routine of 'all inclusive' makes me want to cry. Holidays should not be timed. But, of course, there are lots of advantages in having everything done for you... that, or we just find a villa right on the beach with a lovely family run restaurant next door and super-reliable occasional babysitter near by... Decisions decisions, hey.

We have been getting ready for our holidays by spending Bank Holiday Weekend at Whitstable Beach.

I wore jeans from my favourite brand 7forallmankind, top from Zara (last season), belt from Whistles and navy ballet pumps from prettyballerinas.
Little Miss S wore jeans and hat from vertbaudet and top from Zara Kids.


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Bon Voyage




Nothing revitalises me more than travelling. Even if it is just a short trip abroad. If you haven't been away during Easter and feel immense urge to get away for a couple of days then I might know just the right place. Massage followed by the most gorgeous wine from the local vineyards and delicious French cuisine? Sounds like my kind of gateway.



Is it wine o'clock yet?

I first came across La Source Des Fees a few years ago when Hubby and I were travelling to South of France. We were driving and I booked this place as a stopover for the night. It is situated in Southern Burgundy so around half-way to Cote d'Azur. After spending a day and a night there, I forgot all about the delights of Cannes and St Tropez, and just wanted to stay there forever. This is such an idyllic place and, more importantly, surrounded by vineyards!

The owners, Thierry and Philippe painstakingly renovated their 16th century guest house. It is everything you would expect from the rural French interior. And more! Simple, rustic, charming. Basically, French.

Owners are very welcoming. After unpacking, you are invited to choose a bottle (or two) from their wine cellar, which you then sip in a pretty courtyard overlooking ... the vineyards of course! This is where I discovered Pouilly-Fuisse and it has been my favourite tipple ever since. Afterwards they can book you a table at one of many local restaurants, depending on your gourmet preferences. I wanted to go to all of them, but as this is pretty much the epicentre of gastronomy, the choice is just too big. And that's just one of the many reasons why we will be coming back again!



Breakfast time!



View from our bedroom

 

One of many many many restaurants

What is more, this place is child friendly and dog friendly. You never know, Escargots a la Bourguignonne might become your toddler's new favourite dish!

Let's talk about food!

My Little Miss S tried curry for the first time last weekend (home-made by our friend). She absolutely loved it and I am very pleased about that because my Hubby cooks curries a lot on weekends, which means she can eat them with us now (just don't go crazy with spices and obviously no take-aways).

Anyway, the point I'm trying to make here is that, in my opinion, kids should be introduced to as many different flavours as possible from the young age. For me personally, this belief comes from my own childhood. Food played an immense role in our family life, and no, I'm not talking about take-aways, food prepared freshly from seasonal ingredients. There would be a starter, main and dessert for dinner. I remember when we lived in Kiev (my father was a diplomat so we travelled a lot) on weekends all of us would go to a market to choose stuff for our lunch or dinner. I cannot even begin to describe these markets (think Borough Market 10 times better with delicious smells and vibrant colours). You could also sample anything you wanted which is ideal for exploring new flavours. Back then it seemed normal, but now living in London I see that it is not that easy to find a good market. Fresh salmon on fresh bread with butter and lemon, caviar in jars, meaty tomatoes, spicy pickled carrots, stuffed aubergines... This is just a small part of my childhood food memories.

I've taken this particular photo from Google images. Haven't been to Kiev for over 10 years, but just wanted to show how colourful our local market was. And that's just a tiny little vegetable section ...

So, what I mean is food formed a huge part of my childhood. I remember all the tastes and smells as though it was yesterday. For me food is not just about eating. It is about exploring, smelling, bringing family together, talking, enjoying and forming memories. Food makes you smile, it makes you think and it encourages you to share. This all stems from the way I was brought up and therefore, I want the same for my child. I want her to 'embrace and understand' food. I want her to know her vegetables and fruits, and understand what's seasonal. I want her to know that in different countries around the world people eat different food and I want her to enjoy it or at least - try it.

Little Miss S was first introduced to Greek cuisine at around 10 months. This was her first meal from our favourite restaurant in Crete. Stuffed zucchini flowers and tzatziki (red wine is for parents).

All this made me think about what's it going to be like for my daughter once she starts school. I think we've all heard or even experienced (those who have children at schools already) that school meals in Britain are not as healthy as they should be. Some of them are even appalling. I'm not going to write much on this particular subject as firstly, so much has been said already, and secondly I'm hoping that by the time my Little Miss S starts school there's going to be an improvement, because otherwise I can see myself choosing her educational establishment not just on a basis of academic achievements and extra curriculum activities, but on food as well (if such search is possible;)

Anyway, I've recently purchased a brilliant book by Karen Le Billon.


She is an American lady who moves her family to a small town in France where her husband is from. The book is about her daily experiences of trying to adapt her family's eating habits to French food culture. It is not easy at first, especially for her daughter who is a fussy eater, because in France children from the young age are highly encouraged to eat everything (no snacking is allowed!). Anyway, I haven't finished the book yet so I cannot comment more, but Karen also writes a blog which I very much enjoy and really hoping to recreate some 'yumminess' that she is writing about (one day, hey).

Here is an extract from her blog that I just think is brilliant (shall I move to France now?!).

"Fresh baguette, eaten plain, is also served. The kids drink water (there are no other drinks of any kind available at lunch, and there is a national ban on vending machines and junk food in all French schools). Dessert is usually fresh fruit, but a sweet treat is often served once a week"
National ban on vending machines;) I am determined to make sure that my little one only drinks water (well, and fresh carrot/apple juice that I try so hard to prepare on a daily basis!) and it works now. Well, of course it works as she doesn't realise that other very sugary drinks are out there in the world, the question is what happens when she does find out ... My niece is half-french, actually. She is seven now and she is happy to drink water, so let's hope good habits are there to stay;)

And just to round things off, here is an example of a menu from one French school (taken from Karen Le Billon's blog).

Monday
Salad: Savory olive bread
Main: Sautéed chicken with green peas à la barigoule (a traditional sauce made with artichoke hearts)
Cheese/Dairy:Fromage blanc (a light, creamy cheese that is somewhat like a thick yogurt in consistency)
Dessert: Seasonal fruit
Tuesday
Salad: Cucumber with balkan yogurt sauce
Main: Roast pork with gravy and lentil stew
Cheese/Dairy:Reblochon de Savoie A traditional unpasteurized cheese from the Alps: rich creamy yellow, nutty-tasting, and a little stinky!
Dessert: Apple compote (sauce)
Wednesday
Salad: Green bean salad
Main: Sautéed veal with bulghur wheat
Cheese/Dairy: A mild, very light cheese (made with skim milk), also from the Rhône-Alpes region
Dessert: Seasonal fruit
Thursday
Salad: Grated carrot salad (a French kids’ favorite)
Main: Filet of fish with lemon; ratatouille and rice
Cheese/Dairy:Mimolette
Dessert: Liégeois au chocolat The treat of the week! A rich chocolate ice cream topped with whipped cream, served in a tall glass. Say no more.
Friday
Salad: Cabbage salad with mayonnaise (sort of like cole slaw)
Main: Sautéed beef with sweet and sour sauce, and pasta
Cheese/Dairy: Organic yogurt with organic sugar
Dessert: Fresh fruit cocktail

When can I start packing?!

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