Is there no escape from tweaking my website I ask myself for the upteenth time? However, for all you bloggers out there, I’ve finally come round to blogging correctly with categories and archives. Those of you new to my blog will be amazed at how organised I am . . .

Oddly enough, and somewhat unexpectedly, it’s been an interesting exercise for me. Personally, I’m not a great one to travel down memory lane, preferring instead to discover new horizons, but it’s been rather fascinating to reread events pertinent not just to AMB but to my own life too. It’s also been rather embarrassing to see that I’ve not upheld one New Year’s resolution and the number of times I’ve written “if you’ve been following my blog”!

Between you and me, there are a few more adventures to come this year. One bit of exciting news is that our little kitten, Fleur, is pregnant. Nigel and I are over the moon about this as we so wanted to go through this experience and before anyone asks, we’re keeping them all. Once Mummy Fleur has had her little ones, she’ll be taken to our nice lady vet in Chateauneuf-de-Grasse as will her kittens when they come of age for “the snip”. For those of you who would like to journey with us over the coming months with her pregnancy and ultimate delivery, I shall create a special category just about Fleur. Doting parents or what?

Taking a break from computer work a few days ago I found myself having a lovely cup of tea at the Negresco Hotel in Nice. I have been dreaming of going there for ages and felt somewhat embarrassed to pop in just for “a cuppa”. Stepping inside Le Rotunde was like stepping back in time. In today’s world when sleek lines, stainless steel, glass and ultra modern decor is a must, it was refreshing to sit in a comfy seat surrounded by merry-go-round horses and old fashioned dolls. Around me sat rather chic ladies, dressed to the nines and smart looking couples. One couple in particular attracted my attention; she was slim, with long blond hair and stunningly beautiful while monsieur was tall, with dark hair flecked by grey at the temples, and oh so well groomed. I slumped down in my seat in awe of them and the obvious aura of money they exuded.

After finishing tea and back in the real world I popped round to my local supermarket in Plascassier before going home. It’s a small place, nothing fancy but has some wonderfully friendly staff and a good selection of items. Imagine my surprise when I bumped into my elite couple; she waiting outside puffing on a cigarette and looking rather bored while monsieur bravely pushed a wonky trolley round the shop - the aura of money having vanished and replaced by a deep frown across his face.

For some unknown reason I felt jubilant and giggling inwardly I picked up my shopping basket and sailed through my shopping spree on a high. Never trust a book by its cover I regaled.