le barbecue

Today it's beautiful and warm, this evening friends are coming for dinner and  I wanted to tell you about a part of our house that I like the best.

Quite a few years ago mon  mari built and furnished this wonderful barbecue corner that has become the centre of many magical moments with friends and family.

Our barbecue is under a lean-to roof at the end of the barn and, in the summer, is almost hidden behind a curtain of white roses.    If it gets really hot during the day we eat here in the shade rather than on the terrace.

The barbecue table is big enough to seat 14 happy eaters.  The fire is lit even if we're not grilling, simply because it makes for such a cosy atmosphere and, in this Normandy climate, dining al fresco into the small hours can often feel a little chilly.

Around the barbecue is the children's old tree house and the workshop.   In the evenings we put candles everywhere. nothing fancy, some are even in old jam jars!

Now the children are growing older, they also use the barbecue with their friends.  Cool music, something simple on the grill - it doesn't take much to be happy.

If one day we pick up sticks and move far away, it would have to be somewhere where the climate favours al fresco dining - in my books it's just too good a thing to miss!