Bonjour lecteurs! And just like that, they are back to l’école (psst! See my Back to School Giveaway)… Hurrah! It might be hot and sunny today, but Autumn is definitely on its way with the trees changing colours. Did you have a good Summer? I hope you made some beautiful memories with your famille. August 2023 was full-on in the Frenchie house and we proved that you did not need to go abroad to have fun! Indeed, my last monthly highlights show that you can have a beautiful Summer in the UK.
Birthday Girl!
August 2023 started with a bang as I turned 38! Oops, I will reach a new decade in a few years!
Not that I mind really, but scary to think that I am soon to turn 40… What did you do pour l’occasion? I need some inspiration for my 40th.
This year again, I got spoiled rotten with lots of yummy cake and beautiful presents from my family and loved ones.
Even better, we made it for a romantic dinner at the Pig at Bridge Place. It was such a beautiful (and quiet!) evening! We love Pig Hotels and Restaurants. Have you ever stayed in one? They are beautiful.
Summer Adventures
But after all this fun, it was time to get back to work. We attended a cool fruit festival in Surrey and despite the rain, we had a blast!
I worked most of the week and we made it to a local place to catch up with some family.
We also went to the Woolton Farm Classic Cars Showwhich was certainly a hit with Stanley!
Work/ Life Balance
How did you juggle it all while working? It’s never super easy and that’s why I love Barracudas Camps.
Stanley went back to our local one so that I could sit in a café and catch up with work.
He absolutely LOVES it every year and it gives me more time to work. This way, he can stay active and do all sorts of activités and I don’t feel guilty for working.
En plus, as I was in Canterbury, I also checked out the Summer sales. I got some bargains I can’t wait to show you on Instagram very soon!
Battersea Power Station
Over the next weeks of August 2023, we spent our time between Kent and London.
With a lot of time with our family, we made the most of the summer days when the sun was out.
But we also went twice to London. First stop, we came back to Battersea Power Station encore.
This time, we had some food on top of some shopping and we made the most of the summer program.
It’s such a beautiful space, I really recommend you check it out! It has changed so much. I used to pass the old power station when I was on the train from Bromley back in our London Days. It looks all so modern now and we love its play area too!
Merry Harriers In Surrey
But August 2023 was far from over! Indeed, we then made it to Surrey where we stayed at the BEAUTIFUL Merry Harriers.
Who said you needed to go abroad to escape? We had such a beautiful time in the heart of Surrey.
We stayed in a Shepherd’s Hut and even got to meet some cute llamas. It was absolutely gorgeous and so relaxing to go for a walk in the sunshine, make the most of nature, and pause.
If you are looking for a mini break in Surrey, stop by this pub historique! You won’t regret it I promise.
Canary Wharf
And just like that, we were back in une autre région we absolutely LOVE in London: Canary Wharf. It’s so vibrant and moderne.
We love walking around, checking out the shops, and admiring the skyscrapers.
We had the most sumptuous brunch at Feels Like June and it was one of the most relaxing Sundays I have had this year!
The atmosphere, the food, the service… Everything is impeccable! Get a cocktail too for a magical moment. The glam life of Frenchie Mummy ?
The Flackley Hotel In Sussex
When most of the time really, I am a happy gal in the country! Par exemple, we even explored Rye and the Sussex area for a mini break at the Flackley Ash Hotel.
We discovered this beautiful country hotel a while back during an autumnal walk and I have always wanted to check it out since then.
Have you ever been to Rye? It’s such a charming ville historique full of vintage shops.
Bank Holiday Weekend
It was then the Bank Holiday Weekend and I was not working. It was so lovely to be at home during a long weekend for once.
We decided to explore further and made it to our local roller park but also Sissinghurst Castle Garden.
We finished the weekend in a beautiful pub not far where we played pétanque with a good glass of ?
Spa Break Before Going Back To School
We even managed to go on a mini spa break at the Bannatyne Spa Hotel in Hastings before Stanley got back to school.
We had a Red Letter Days Experience back from Christmas that I never managed to book.
So I squeezed it in and I am so glad I did because I got a scrub and a body massage. Such a beautiful treat before going back to routines!
Et voilà, just like that, summer was over.
August 2023 – A Beautiful Summer In the UK
As you may know, I am a bit of an over-planner ? I love nothing more than having things in the diary.
L’idée to stay at home and have nothing to do but chill and watch TV all day is not my conception of fun. I always feel it would be a waste of time when there is so much to learn about and discover. I am not good at taking it slow…
But I am so glad we had all those adventures. I was a bit sad not to go abroad at first. We decided to do some work in the house instead this year… Nothing is done yet as we are still looking around haha.
However, we still had a Beautiful Summer in the UK. Absolutely stunning indeed and I would even say August 2023 has definitely been our best month so far.
I worked less or around Stanley and did not even feel guilty about it. Somewhere somehow, I made it work and he did not spend his summer in front of a screen! So I am contente.
Only 4 Months Left in 2023
Stanley is now fully back at school. It’s actually been a week already and I love (not!) the joys of preparing packed lunches ?
It’s been a funny few days, I am going back to routines slowly and trying not to be too harsh on myself. It’s been such a différent schedule over the last 6 weeks.
It’s been so hot and nice as well so I have made sure to go for a walk or a bike ride every single day to start the day. I also changed a bit my morning schedule with more reading and back to méditation before Stanley gets up and we get ready for school.
Summer has been beautiful and it reminded me that you can achieve anything in life while having the right balance. There is no need to always rush around. I am going to focus more on doing one thing at a time and prioritising what really matters. Time to declutter my life mentally and physically. Plus planning a mini trip to France for October as we will spend Christmas in the UK this year.
A full but beautiful agenda ahead of us! I am ready for it! The end of 2023 will be bright and fabulous!
How was your summer? Your highlight of the school holidays? Any exciting plans or projects for the rest of 2023? Enjoy the sunshine in September before it gets cold again ?
Disclosure: This post might feature some sponsored content I recently published but it is merely a list of my highlights of the month! This a post where I share some reflections as a mum in the country and in London. I hope it will inspire you to get on more family adventures.
Holidays to treasure – memories to last a lifetime of love – can’t beat the uk
Lots of great adventures
Belated happy birthday for August! Being 38 feels a distant memory for me!
Happy belated birthday! I honestly don’t remember the last time I watched live TV. I watch no more than 2 hours of TV a day and like you, I like all my weekends planned. I literally walk pass Feels like June every other day as I shop in that big Asda there. I love that walk, the tranquility of the docks and watching the ducks in the quays.
Battersea Power Station is my latest favourite place to visit too. There was so much for the kids to do in the Summer Holidays so that took the hassle of me planning out activities. I see you ate in Brindisa Tapas, a nice reliable restaurant for Spanish food. Love it there.
joyeux anniversaire! a jam packed birthday month making the most of the summer, looks like you all had an amazing time!
You certainly did have a great Summer, despite the weather. Stanley seems to have grown up so much in that time too
Can’t believe summer is over and we head into winter!
Our Summer was a bit nothing really. The wet days are not much fun here in West Wales but when the weather is good it is great to visit the local beaches, not that that has happened too often
Another great month for you all. Love to see the places you visit