Things I’ve Learnt On Holiday In Avignon (So Far)

 

Firstly, big thanks to Eurostar for inviting us to the magical town of Avignon in the South of France- and to the Avignon Tourist Board for their advice and generosity too-merci beaucoup!

I visited Avignon as a child although I couldn’t remember the place before arrival, so it’s been a joy to explore this incredibly serene and beautiful medieval town. With its miles of pristine streets, located on the left bank of the picturesque Rhône River, it has been the perfect retreat for us.

We’ve wandered this ancient city (stuffed our faces with all the carbs) and reconnected as a family away from all the busy-iness that is life.

…This is a quick post I wrote as the family slept in this morning as I wanted to share a few life lessons, and timely reminders I’ve had whilst here, on parenting, and frankly, simply chilling out and doing exactly what I/ we please in life.

High fives all round!

It’s been utterly relaxing and enlightening for sure and it’s only day 3!

1. These are the days of our lives and I’m savouring them like crazy because kids are only young once right and these adventures together are truly precious.

Perhaps to your surprise, I’m actually pretty good at switching off. I work hard, oh yes I do, but I also like to play hard and by play hard, these days, I mean running around a playground with my kids (playing hard), eating pain au chocolat by the river and simply BEING IN THE MOMENT.

Yesterday, I sat on the banks of the Rhone, the kids playing beside me and looked up at the swaying arch of trees above me, the sun glinting through the branches and thought, ‘This is the life’. Simple, beautiful moments that are EVERYTHING.

I love to share pics on Instagram and of course, tweet snippets of my life online (I’m a blogger, that ain’t never going to change) but I’m not obsessed with social media or my site however much I love them dearly.

The turnaround happened earlier this year if I’m honest.  When your life is your work, it’s important to check yourself before your wreck yourself and carve out strict boundaries on your time and energy.

I have scheduled posts going live for brands I adore whilst I’m here but I’m relishing time out my usual schedule too.

I do know, hence this post, that I can’t live (happily) without putting pen to paper, fingers to laptop.

Even if I’m not physically tapping away on the blog, I’m scribbling in notepads in my bag or by my bed as inspiration tends to hit in the most unusual of places.

Taking time out only serves to make us all more creative too. That space to live really inspires us to work.

2. Candy floss as big as your head is good for the soul. Whilst I’m all about sugar in moderation for my kids and I, I want childhood to be carefree, as it should be and that means as my Papa G would say, ‘Everything in moderation’- and nothing says holiday than warm, freshly spun candy floss at the fair on a summer’s night.

3. Watching your kids have cute little conversations (when they’re not trying to kill one another) is a little bit amaze-balls isn’t it?! My sons’ relationship has really blossomed lately and it’s something I’ve been patiently waiting for! I turned to my husband the other day and said, ‘Isn’t it funny that we made those little friends over there chatting about what they want for dinner’. Parenthood certainly is surreal!

I turned to my husband the other day and said, ‘Isn’t it funny that we made those little friends over there chatting about what they want for dinner’. We both marvelled at the madness. Parenthood certainly is surreal isn’t ti?!

4. Little hands in your’s as you wander around, the sun warming your cheeks, a spring in your step really is the sweetest, most humbling feeling ever. Your whole world in your hands. Literally. Big heart eyes emoticon times ten.

5. Doing as we please. My son turns 4 at the end of September and whilst here, we bought a cheap pram for when his legs get tired and he wants a ride around town. We can hang bags on the handles and navigate the city more easily thanks to this fab little pram and anything that makes life less stressful and more fun gets a big tick from me!

Can we just hit pause forever with the parenting pressures please and stop caring what anyone might think. Liberate yourselves people and do what’s right for your family. I know lots agreed with me over this on my FB Page. Yay to parenting whatever way we please, hey!

6. Did I mention the carbs? Carbs make me happy and they’ve not done the French any harm, right?! Can we stop demonising them and start enjoying them, please. I know I am.

7. These are the days of our lives. Did I already say that? I often feel these are the glory days on weekends, breaks away and holidays abroad but all of these days, the tougher times and the more wondrous, will be the ones I know I’ll look back on in years to come, my heart full, as the BEST TIMES.  A gushy end to a gushy few days away so far.

A gushy end to a gushy few days away, so far.

Catch you all soon x

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