August 2022 – Our French Holiday & A Revelation

Bonjour lecteurs! It feels so weird to be back online following the recent death of Queen Elizabeth II. I remained quite silent over the last few days. I thought it would be somehow disrespectful to carry on as normal when such a big event was literally taking place. It’s been a really weird few days, but I decided that it was time to carry on with our lives and our routines. So here I am sharing my new Monthly Highlights. August 2022 was beautiful with our French Holiday. Despite all my health problèmes. But it also brought me a revelation I must not forget!

Carrying On From July

If you read my July 2022 Highlights, you may remember that I was not well. I started August 2022 in hospital and I felt quite sorry for myself if I am being totally honest.

The situation was getting really frustrating and it took me some time to recover.

August 2022, Summer 2022, the Frenchie Mummy, Monthly Highlights, Life in Kent

But we managed it! It was not the best start to the Summer, but sometimes things are out of your control and you must accept them.

The Show Must Go On in August 2022

‘The Show Must Go On’. Well, it did!

I carried on my work while looking after Stanley and juggled as I could.

We did not do much the first week.

August 2022, Summer 2022, the Frenchie Mummy, Monthly Highlights, Life in Kent

But I was working backstage on some campaigns.

Spending Time With Him

And when I eventually kind of recovered, we managed to have a few lovely days out.

Are your little ones obsessed with boats or always eager to discover new places?

August 2022, Summer 2022, the Frenchie Mummy, Monthly Highlights, Life in Kent, Chartham Dockyard

I could not recommend The Historic Dockyard in Chatham more. We visited the place on a sunny day and it just felt so lovely to explore.

August 2022, Summer 2022, the Frenchie Mummy, Monthly Highlights, Life in Kent, Chartham Dockyard

And we also made it to a beautiful steam train trip around Kent. If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen our steamy adventure among some good food.

August 2022, Summer 2022, the Frenchie Mummy, Monthly Highlights, Life in Kent, Steam Dreams

I was about to cancel because I was yet to be 100%, but I am so happy we made it!

August 2022, Summer 2022, the Frenchie Mummy, Monthly Highlights, Life in Kent, Steam Dreams

Bonjour La France!

And just like that, we were off to France to catch up with my famille.

August 2022, Summer 2022, the Frenchie Mummy, Monthly Highlights, Un Lit Au Pré, French Holiday

It felt so amazing! We had not seen them all for such a long time. It was just pure bliss to see all my loved ones! It had been such a rush to get all my deadlines finalised while I was still ill, I did not even feel guilty for switching off.

August 2022, Summer 2022, the Frenchie Mummy, Monthly Highlights, Un Lit Au Pré, French Holiday

And I was so pleased to see Stanley trying a bit of French, and enjoying the culture and food!

We stayed at the Ferme de Fontenille in Picardy with Un Lit Au Pré and it was just magical!

August 2022, Summer 2022, the Frenchie Mummy, Monthly Highlights, Un Lit Au Pré, French Holiday

We paused and relaxed in the French countryside while catching up with all the members of my family.

And let me tell you that it involved a lot of bisous and cuddles! And a cheeky croissant or two ?

Normandy

We then drove south to Normandy and visited my brother.

It felt so refreshing to check out this part of France. We slowed down and stayed in a villa altogether.

August 2022, Summer 2022, the Frenchie Mummy, Monthly Highlights, Normandy, French Holiday

We were literally in the middle of nowhere!

I really needed such an escape after a busy few weeks.

August 2022, Summer 2022, the Frenchie Mummy, Monthly Highlights, Normandy, French Holiday

We stopped by Cherbourg, Omaha Beach, and many other beautiful places.

August 2022, Summer 2022, the Frenchie Mummy, Monthly Highlights, Normandy, French Holiday

It was lovely to enjoy a historical day and for Stanley to learn more about this très importante part of our history.

A Break In Broadstairs

After a week in France, it was so sad to come back to the UK.

But we rediscovered Broadstairs and all the nearby beaches. We stayed at the Royal Albion for 2 nights.

August 2022, Summer 2022, the Frenchie Mummy, Monthly Highlights, Broadstairs

We got to enjoy the beach in the sun. Exit the diet, I got all the ice cream, waffles, and other food I could get!

And we got to see such beautiful places! Especially Botany Bay or even the Hornby Hobbies Visitor Centre. So many models!

August 2022, Summer 2022, the Frenchie Mummy, Monthly Highlights, Broadstairs

I think Stanley was in heaven quite frankly.

Bank Holiday Weekend

When did your children come back to school? Stanley started in year 2 on the 1st of September.

So we made the most of the Bank holiday.

August 2022, Summer 2022, the Frenchie Mummy, Monthly Highlights, Life in Kent

We had a family lunch and checked out the new BRIO shop at the Ashford Designer Outlet.

And we even finished the weekend with some dinner out at a local Argentinian Steakhouse. So good!

August 2022, Summer 2022, the Frenchie Mummy, Monthly Highlights, Life in Kent

Oh, and we had a cheeky Afternoon Tea at the beautiful Ashdown Park Hotel. It’s one of our faves. En plus, it was so pretty with the autumnal vibes outside.

Back to Routines

But we were all ready to get back into routines.

August 2022, Summer 2022, the Frenchie Mummy, Monthly Highlights, Life in Kent

I have truly indulged in August, but I thought I deserved it after being so unwell.

It’s quite unlike me as I am usually always on the move. But I felt that I needed it after juggling childcare and work while being sick!

August 2022, Summer 2022, the Frenchie Mummy, Monthly Highlights, Life in Kent

Sometimes, it is good to pause. I was so ready to rock in September!

August 2022 – You’ve Got To Want It

I was so worried August would be a disaster as I was very unwell for a couple of weeks.

But looking back, I can truly say that nothing can stop me! I was certainly not letting my back interrupts all the plans I made for the summer.

August 2022, Summer 2022, the Frenchie Mummy, Monthly Highlights, Life in Kent

Well, I might have had to accept to pause eventually… I displaced one of my vertebrae in France ??

August 2022, Summer 2022, the Frenchie Mummy, Monthly Highlights, Life in Kent

But Stanley had a beautiful summer!

There is so much more going on than what I share online.

I have had a very demanding month in terms of deadlines and I am also starting a new project in September, that I am very excited about.

August 2022, Summer 2022, the Frenchie Mummy, Monthly Highlights, Life in Kent

In all honesty, if you asked me last month, I was feeling overwhelmed most of the time in August 2022. But I am glad I made it and I am ever so proud of what I have achieved. Despite all the problèmes I had over the last few weeks, it did not stop us.

August 2022, Summer 2022, the Frenchie Mummy, Monthly Highlights, Life in Kent

Now more than ever, I realise that you’ve got to really want it if you want to succeed in life. Whatever it is you are after, NEVER EVER GIVE UP.

August 2022, Summer 2022, the Frenchie Mummy, Monthly Highlights, Life in Kent

Small actions and routines you build up WILL have a consequence, even when you don’t feel like moving forward.

How was your Summer? Did you go somewhere exciting? Are you all back to routines now? What do the children make of school and their new teacher?

August 2022, Summer 2022, the Frenchie Mummy, Monthly Highlights, Life in Kent

Disclosure: This post might feature some sponsored content I recently published but it is merely a list of my highlights of the month! A post where I share some reflections as a mum in the country. I hope it will inspire you to get on more family adventures and rock those dreams of yours, always ?

 

 

 

 

14 Comments

  1. ashleigh allan
    September 13, 2022 / 8:01 pm

    Looks fab

  2. Siobhan N
    September 13, 2022 / 8:19 pm

    Well done on making it through the summer holidays! I think the lovely weather we had this summer made them going really quickly as there was no being stuck inside in the rain!

  3. Amanda Walsh
    September 13, 2022 / 9:32 pm

    I love the white dress in the first picture at the top of the post

    • Cecile Blaireau
      Author
      September 14, 2022 / 9:17 am

      It’s an old one from GAP. Very flattering cut, they might have some on their website? They do every year in different colours

  4. Wendy Lam-Vechi
    September 14, 2022 / 10:08 am

    Wow! After all that you’re up and running again. I’m so glad you’re recovering well and it hasn’t affected your love of travelling and being active. That is such an admirable trait to have, to fall and get back up again. You are a great role model to your son ?

    I can’t wait to take my children back to where my ancestors are from so they can practise some Chinese and eat the food there. I think I would be so moved to see them in that environment.

    I hope the displacement of your vertebrae is not causing too much pain. Hope you’re getting rest you deserve too. Take care xx

    • Cecile Blaireau
      Author
      September 15, 2022 / 8:59 am

      Oh thank you so much! You are always ever so kind! I hope they get to meet your ancestors one day. It would be so lovely.

  5. Margaret Gallagher
    September 14, 2022 / 5:48 pm

    Fabulous holiday vibes – it’s so true that you have to work to make things happen – we’re worth it

  6. Nicola Maycock
    September 14, 2022 / 10:39 pm

    due to my disabilities i cant stand hot weather, so didn’t get out much this year! luckily my kids had plenty of plans with family, looks like you’ve had an amazing time.

  7. Sally Collingwood
    September 15, 2022 / 10:30 am

    Glad to hear you are feeling better and had such a great time.

  8. Priscilla Stubbs
    September 15, 2022 / 11:54 am

    So sorry to hear that you were in hospital, I hope you are feeling fit and well now. Despite that you and Stanley seemed to have made the most of your time together

  9. Megan Earl
    September 16, 2022 / 7:32 pm

    I haven’t been to France since my teens – your making me feel nostalgic!

  10. Laura
    September 16, 2022 / 7:39 pm

    France looks so beautiful, I’d love to visit one day

  11. MARIA Rogers
    September 17, 2022 / 3:20 pm

    Looks like you made lots of magical memories together in August. Hope you get better soon! x

  12. claire woods
    September 18, 2022 / 2:27 pm

    Hope you are feeling better. Lovely photos of your holiday

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