A looking glass through which I often passed
I’ve become conditioned to conjure words in the quiet of the early morning, confined within the four walls of my office where, with a cup of coffee in my hand, an idea is sparked by a thought, a picture, a noise or a smell. There is a comfortableness working within this limited palette that is akin to rummaging for a favourite, well used pair of old shoes the exact whereabouts of which have temporarily escaped my memory.
The kitchen where I loved to cook.
For the last ten days my senses have been confronted by an impossibly extended palette. The result has been stasis. Any creativity within me lay down, slept and dreamed. Mind and body holidayed. Whilst days became daze, my camera mechanically churned on; recording, noting, creating précis of moments from which I will glean memories to which I will add words to share with you.
Food, Photography & France 
I am with you on loving to cook in that kitchen. I wish….
It was fantastic. The finest Gaggenau oven and hobs, hotplates, indoor charcoal grill and so much spa-a-a-ce:)
Incredible kitchen and a lovely post. I am looking forward to sitting with my own cup of coffee and reading what it is you will share.
I better gather up my thoughts:)
Wow, I see the Germans have installed sun loungers while you’ve been away 😉
They can’t be German. There are no towels on them.
Well spotted…:)
If only that was my pool. Mine’s the one with algae and this is the one on the Ile d’Oleron in the house in which we holidayed….pretty cool:)
Very nice all the same 🙂
…it really was. Amazingly, the restaurants on the island are abysmal ( that’s Provincial France at the moment) so I had to cook a lot, which was great. Amazing ingredients…fantastic fish and fruits de mer. We spent the last three days staying in the fishing port of La Cotiniere.
I like the stools around the bench so that your guests can join you in a glass of wine or several while you entertain them with running commentary on the dish, selected tasting bits, the occasional curse, a good chat, and anticipation of the feast to come. And if the meal takes too long to cook and too many glasses of wine have slid from the bottles, you don’t even have to move to the dining table. Perfect.
It’s a fantastic house, James.It belongs to a young French architect couple. Here’s their site…http://www.handcraftanddesign.com/….who also have lovely places in Paris.
That would be my dream kitchen. Wow.
The rest of the house was amazing too:)
Oh I’m sure! Sounds like a wonderful place to take a deep breath and relax.
“days became daze.” I love that. Gorgeous holiday, Roger.
There’s more to come:)
MTM would die over that kitchen. I’m glad you and Jenny had a relaxing time, Roger. I’ve missed your posts and am glad you’re back.
That’s kind, Andra. It’ll be good to get back to reading your stuff too.
Welcome back! I’m glad you had a relaxing holiday.
Isn’t it fun to live in somebody else’s house for a time? So long as it’s a nice house, of course. 🙂 I know nothing at all about Ile d’Oleron, so look forward to your future posts when the daze lifts.
I’d only been to Ile d’Oleron once before and had liked it. Staying for a longer period made me really want to go back there often. It’s a beautiful island.
Wow, simply fantastic.. I am thrilled that you landed somewhere stunning and had such a good time, cooked and ate ’til you groaned I hope! c
We had a great time which included a lot of cooking. Sadly, the majority of French provincial restaurants by the coast are dreadful, so cooking is essential. The mad part is that they have the best ingredients that you can imagine. I’ve never understood this paradox,in France, of bad restaurants and great ingredients.
Wooow, it seems that you’re living in a Lifestyle magazine! I really love the kitchen! Great picture, I would love to cook in that kitchen! 🙂
I think you really would:)
All of the trappings of a fine holiday and it sounds like you took full advantage. Welcome home, Roger.
Many thanks, John.
Let the stasis not be fragmented by us eager bloodhounds awaiting for your every internal and external memory . . . luvverly . . .
So cool:)
That is one nice kitchen.
Isn’t it just:)
that kitchen is amazing!
I did some good cooking there:)
You can not improve upon the kitchen, for sure. I’ll just sit here an wait for you to return with more! You were missed.
Many thanks…it’s nice to be back:)
Sounds like it was all a holiday should be, Roger, and more. Excellent.
The best:)
Welcome back Roger, sounds like you are still enjoying the moment(s)…a well deserved vacance.
Got to get back to reality:)
Gorgeous! Not a bad place to live for a bit, I must say 😉
It did it for me:)
Welcome back from what looks like a delightful holiday. I’m sure that wonderful kitchen and fresh ingredients inspired you to create some delicious meals. 🙂
We did eat well, Karen. The house is in the middle of a tiny village. You go out of the front door directly into the market…not bad:)
Not bad is right, Roger. I’m glad you had a good time.
🙂
That text was so beautifully written that it was a holiday too 🙂
🙂