Summer is flying past….. I can’t believe I am writing for the August magazine! I hope that you’ll all enjoy some sunshine. I’ve booked three trips to France. The most exciting is when we fly to the south to help celebrate my son and daughter–in-law’s silver wedding anniversary.

Their wedding seems like last week in its clarity. Both of our children were married in France. This was possible because we owned a property! I worked for the Mairie (Town Hall) as interpreter so they made it very special for us. There were even red white and blue plants with French and English flags. The 11th August was a market day and as we left our cars to walk across to the Mairie the crowds parted, like the Red Sea, and people were clapping. Unforgettable!

As usual I am writing as though we are having a “chat” - I always write too much and half of it has to be left out. As school reports sometimes say “must try harder”.  I’ll do my best to be brief, especially as I am doing an extra session about  fashion. Why? It’s because several people have suggested it. As with the cookery ideas—I’m only saying what I think—there are no hard rules!

Fashion “La Mode” - that’s an inappropriate title for a start as I never follow it! I only take ideas from it. We all have sayings that we dislike. One of mine is “Mutton dressed up as lamb”. Mutton is such a derogative word—although cooked properly it can be delicious!! I certainly don’t like “mutton dressed as mutton”  Forget about age—it’s more important to dress for the OCCASION and to flatter your SHAPE. You are dressed appropriately if you feel comfortable and at ease in your outfit. As for getting the style right, I suggest you look at yourself in a full length mirror. Don’t regard your ‘difficult’ areas, but appreciate your best features. For example, I’m quite pleased with my waist. What do I do? I often wear belts to draw attention to it. Then hopefully, my less attractive parts will be in the background.

When I was married, my waist was 22 inches. I designed my wedding dress and guess what happened? The Duchess of Cambridge copied it! Two big differences—her lace was hand-made (mine came from Dingles—big department store) and I didn’t have a train! One of the best dresses I have seen was in Harvey Nicks two weeks ago. I took one of my granddaughters there for coffee hoping to show it to her. There had been 3300 reasons why I didn’t buy it—but it was sold! I wonder if someone chose it for their wedding dress? It was sky blue and it shone in it’s stunning simplicity. Afterwards Madi and “mooched” around another dress shop. She’s 23 and I am very ancient, but we both chose the same tops! Our manner of wearing them will be the reason they will work! Madi will be able to use hers as a beach cover up or over a camisole and leggings. She’ll probably wear it with jeans or shorts or just as a mini-dress. All superb on the young! On the other hand I shall wear mine tucked into a flowery skirt (as I did yesterday when I “Christened” it at Church) or perhaps with my gauchos on holiday. It’s not what you wear—it’s the way you wear it!

Food for Summer - “La Nourriture pour L’Été”

Important—shop not only for what is fresh and in season—but buy what you enjoy! If you like asparagus why not put some on your barbeque? I have friends (yes, in France) who took us around their new venture—fields and fields of asparagus. You need plenty of patience as it takes years to get established. Normally I snap asparagus and only cook the edible top half. However for a BBQ cook the whole thing  - then you can hold the tough end whilst nibbling it! I advise spearing it with a fork as it will be hot! Parboil it—then glaze it on the BBQ. You’ll need some interesting “dips”. Have fun!

My Thought for August… “Ma Pensée pour L’Août”

When you are thirsty and make yourself a drink—it’s often too hot to drink instantly. However it only takes a small amount of milk or water to cool it down and make it just right.

Isn’t that like life? It only needs a small amount of confidence and hope to change your whole outlook!  May August be good for you all!

“Le Dîner de Noёl” Christmas Lunch

At Tortworth Court Wednesday December 18th 12.15pm

We shall be in the Orangery as usual. Please see me if you would like to join us. Tickets £16 for Mulled wine, a three course meal, coffee and mints. EVERYONE VERY WELCOME

“Bienvenu”  Esmé

Some people ask me how I think of something to write about each month. That’s easy—my problem is about what shall I leave out. Actually I share with you some of the things that are dearest to my heart. My surname is Feltham and most of them begin with the letter F! I adore my Family, Friends, France, Food (especially les Fruits de la mer—lobsters, crab and langoustines) Flowers, Fun and of course my Faith!

This July magazine features a double F—a Favourite Friend! I expect that most of you have heard the saying “Behind every good man is a great woman” and this is the case with Bob and JUDY WOODWARD.

Many of us admire Bob’s huge achievements, but how much do we know about Judy? Let’s try to rectify this. Judy sits opposite to me in the St. John the Baptist Church choir. Like me she is very enthusiastic about music. She has a strong soprano voice. Born four years after me—Judy married Bob four years after our wedding! Their first date was at the Odeon Cinema in Union Street—ours was at the Odeon Cinema in Kingswood! Another coincidence—Judy trained with the N.N.E.B. at Stoke Lodge in Shirehampton to become a Nursery Nurse. When I was Deputy Head of a Nursery School—part of my job was training Nursery Nurses. Judy worked in Nursery Schools for 11 years , only staying home when their daughter Rachel was born. Rachel has since provided them with Laura—their little grand daughter. For ten years Judy cared for their two sick sons—who very sadly died in childhood. Luckily they have another son called James. She also, not surprisingly if you know Judy, did many years of voluntary work at Frenchay Hospital.

Judy and Bob are fortunate to have celebrated their silver and gold wedding anniversaries together. To celebrate the latter, they had a wonderful stay at “The Manor” Castle Coombe” where their family joined them for a splendid dinner! Their silver anniversary was spent further afield, as they drove from coast to coast in the USA. Where did Ron and I spend our silver anniversary? Yes—France! Unfortunately we didn’t make our 50th together. C’est la vie! (That’s life!)

Judy and Bob are very widely travelled—they seem to have been almost everywhere except France! If you fancy a very special meal, Judy recommends Calcut Manor at Tetbury.

Judy’s hobbies are playing the piano, hand bell ringing, flower arranging and gardening. They have a lovely home—their house reminds me of a Swiss Chalet.

I could fill this magazine if I told you about the exciting social life that Judy and Bob enjoy. The occasions that Judy enjoyed most  were the  Queen’s State Banquet at Buckingham Palace where they celebrated her 40 years on the throne, and the Sultan of Brunei’s 25 years a s ruler. The other memorable event was when Mr and Mrs Gorbachev came to Bristol to mark Mr. Gorbachev’s becoming International President of CLIC (which, of course Bob founded)

I asked Judy what she thinks about the new proposals for the Frenchay Hospital site. She finds it difficult not to be apprehensive, but hopes there will be a retirement village there. Then the two of them could live there in a lovely parkland setting (You would also still be near our Church Judy!)

Finally, I asked her to give me their formula for a happy marriage. I quote “55 years is a long journey of joys and sorrows, but our faith has sustained us. A sense of humour also helps!” You certainly both fulfil that criteria, and I wish you many more wonderful years together.

FASHION IS MY PASSION  …..  LA MODE EST MA PASSION!!

I was making clothes for my dolls when I was 6, for myself at 10, and for my mother when I was in my early teens. The sewing machine that I am still using was made up in 1926. Ron and I bought it together when I was 16 and he was 18—so it was already well used! We went into the shop to buy the pretty table not realising that it contained a sewing machine! Do you know where these old sewing machines go when they are no longer wanted by their owners? Afghanistan—soldiers use them to repair their uniforms and tents.

When people ask me now where I buy my clothes—they get one of three replies! They are either designer bought in Paris or St Tropez, made by me or ordered from Q.V.C on the television (Quality, Value and Convenience) You get a brochure for the month ahead so you know when to switch on for your favourite designers. I’ve just been sent a Yong Kim dress! Yesterday I wore a black jacket covered with white embroidery. Someone in the choir said “Pearly Queen”. She couldn’t have been more wrong—it was bought in the Bridget Bardot boutique in St Tropez. I would rather have one good piece than a dozen cheap ones.

FOOD IDEAS…..In French “Pudding de Pain”. I don’t like bread and butter pudding, but my husband loved it! In France, I substituted croissants for the bread. I added flaked almonds and used half milk, half cream and 3 eggs. Another interesting way would be to use slices of malt bread—spread with marmalade and cut into triangles. Between each layer you could sprinkle some sultanas. With all these puddings—leave the prepared dish for 30 minutes before putting it into your oven to allow the liquid to be absorbed.!   Bon appetit!

MY THOUGHT FOR JULY…. Start each day with a song. It’s a new day. It’s a new dawn. Enjoy life!