A different kind of journey: the return of "jolies choses".
Summer planning troubles and travelling through art #42
As I write this on a cold Tuesday morning with warning of snow coming our way, days by the sea in Mexico feel like a dream from last year!
Usually, that’s when I would start planning for our summer holiday and loose myself in countless possibilities, surfing the web for hours, re-checking my list of best hotels, navigating the map (which paid subscribers get access to as well) and offering suggestions to Mr Big and Mademoiselle.
But this year, I don’t feel like it as much. I keep hoping that we will have bought our holiday house by the summer and picture myself in August in a run down charming old farm, plotting what kind of improvements we could make to it. It’s not even technically possible as if we found something tomorrow, all the admin work would probably mean we’d get the keys only in September!
So I need to get cracking with it. I’m thinking small islands again such as the Cyclades or Menorca or Pantelleria or back to our classic Cap Ferret in France.
In hotel news, Heckfield Place finally announced yesterday that their long awaited spa is opening on April 6! We found the hotel beautiful but Mr Big really missed a pool. He’ll be pleased to try the 18x6m pool they feature now. We are likely to book a return visit by the end of the year and I’ll of course report here.
I didn’t get to finish the video editing of our stay at Hotel Esencia as I planned to, so instead, this week, let’s embark on a cultural journey. I am sharing with you a few beautiful or interesting things that I liked. Some long time subscribers may remember when I had a “Jolies choses” (which means “pretty things” in French) section on the blog so here it is again.
Are you more advanced in your summer planning and if so, where are you going?
Jolies choses
The David Hockney Immersive Art Show in the Lightroom in North London.
On Sunday we went to experience this video and music exhibition. It was absolutely beautiful, very enjoyable. His way of looking at the world is so different than us. Made me think about I see nature and to really look for beauty or to consider a different perspective every day.
Bought this book after an author highlihted it in the Times Saturday review. It narrates the story of Elizabeth Zott, who is navigating the challenges of being a woman in the male-dominated field of chemistry in the 60s. It gets you angry about the injustices but also appreciative of where we got to now, even though there are still many inequalities to fight against. Some wacky and surprising characters, a few plot twists and a very encouraging message to be yourself and stand strong against the odds.
We first came across the artist when we stayed at Lundies House in Scotland and admired her stunning wall paintings. She lives in France in a beautiful chateau which she adorned with her art. On time to time she sells some of her paintings, which is when we got hold of a piece which now takes center stage in our kitchen. Go admire her talent.
Extra finds
Casa Rosa, Olhao
From 109 Euros. Check latest prices and availability
David and Colum reached out to me to introduce their lovely small hotel in Portugal. I love it when people do that ! Their nine bedroom villa hotel with pool has been designed with a Bohemian pink theme throughout and is located in the centre of Olhao. The property is available to rent room by room (a minimum of a 2 night stay) or by the week for a retreat, family gathering or event.
Les Manoirs des Portes de Deauville, Normandy
From 180 Euros Check latest prices and availability
An authentic Normandy manor house dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries, situated in Canapville, in the Calvados department in Normandy and just 5 kilometers from Deauville-Trouville, the hotel Les Manoirs des Portes de Deauville is a new, charming boutique hotel built on a small scale featuring 27 rooms and suites. The hotel is made up of a manor house, a listed Historical Monument, and 9 cottages each with 4 bedrooms. There is no restaurant on site, but they offer a room service card with an excellent restaurant partner.
Domaine de Courances
From 240 euros Check latest prices and availability
Located less than an hour from Paris, in the heart of the Gâtinais region, the Château de Courances is renowned for its park, a Renaissance water garden. You can rent three converted outbuildings around a cobbled courtyard: L’Atelier, La Pompe and Le Moulin, which can be rented as a whole or individually. There is an outdoor pool.
Aposperia, Karpathos
From 230 euros Check latest prices and availability
On the island of Karpathos, in the South Agean sea in Greece, those traditional looking villas combine indoor and outdoor spaces. Every villa has its own pool with direct access from the living room and a private courtyard, planted with local aromatic herbs. Large openings merge the indoor and outdoor spaces, while guests enjoy living within nature.
The Twenty Two
From £440 Check latest prices and availability
This previously residential Edwardian manor house has been turned into a 31-room hotel and member’s club in Mayfair. Interior designer Natalia Miyar gave the place a sensual makeover, heavy on blues and reds – with tips to 18th-century France. 31 lavish bedrooms and suites — including a mews house. A round-the-clock neighbourhood restaurant offers a Modern British fare with European influences.