13th November

My last full day in Vendôme and I still need to do my washing!!! So, once again, off I went to the launderette and yes, you guessed it, it was, once again, fermée!!!

I decided I would just make do and then find somewhere to do my washing in Tours. But I didn’t really want to take a bag of dirty washing with me, plus there were clothes in the bag that I really wanted to be able to wear! I knew there was another launderette in Vendôme so decided to try and find it. I found it- and it was closer than the one I’d been going to! I mean much closer! I mean just around the corner!!! Heyhoe 🙂

I didn’t get off to a good start- the cash point, where you select a washing machine and pay, ate my money and the machine did nothing, so I had to move everything into another machine and pay again! I’d chosen the cleanest looking machine initially so then had to move my stuff into one that was less so 😦 They were all a bit grimy- you know around the glass, and particularly at the bottom! I mean, my machine at home wasn’t always sparkling but your own grime is different isn’t it?! Anyway, beggars can’t be choosers so, finally, after several failed attempts over several days, this was a very welcome sight……..

I got home, made a cuppa and a hot water bottle (very chilly) and caught up on Junior Bake Off. It’s wonderful. Harry Hill, who I’ve never really been a fan of in the past, is brilliant with the kids, as are Prue Leith and Liam (don’t know his surname- just think he’s fab!) It’s the most heartwarming show on television. I guarantee it will make you cry! I’ve lost count of the amount of times I said “oh sweetheart” when something has gone wrong or someone has been upset. Poor Sam was heartbroken when he had to leave the tent. Nancy (my lovely niece) and I have been messaging each other about it and we are in agreement that Tilly is in the running to win. I think Eliza could win too- but I haven’t got Nancy’s opinion on that yet! Anyway, if you haven’t already, you must tune in. Such talented and delightful children 🙂

I don’t know if you recall me talking about bread in my post on the 2nd November. A guest on the Off Menu podcast said that the people she had stayed with in France didn’t always eat baguettes but had some processed bread in reserve. The name of that bread she said was Jacques and I searched for it online but couldn’t find out anything about it. Well, imagine my delight when, in the supermarket this evening, I found some of that very brand of bread (I’d been spelling it wrong!) sitting on the shelf! And it’s not half bad! 🙂

I had a toasted sandwich for my tea! Emmental cheese and Dijon mustard. DE-LIC-IOUS!!! 🙂

So it’s my last night in Vendôme. Four weeks have whizzed by just like that. I’ll be sad to leave here- it really is a lovely place. But I’m excited (and a bit nervous!) to move on to Tours tomorrow.