10/05/2025
Blog 2: We Work
It’s Saturday, May 10th, and the sun is shining here in Beaulieu—but sadly, not for long.
Pluie (rain) is forecast for Sunday, and that happens to be a very important day in Beaulieu. It’s the Fête de la Fraise—🍓The Strawberry Festival🍓—celebrated annually on the second Sunday of May.
A Town in Celebration
The town attracts 5,000 to 6,000 visitors, and stalls line the streets selling every variety of strawberry-related products. Music, dancing, and food abound, and the atmosphere is charged with happy energy—not to mention the pungent fragrance of fresh strawberries.
Preparing for Guests
Our first group of guests arrives today, and we’ve been extremely busy getting things done around the house before their arrival. Once they’re here, our opportunity to make any improvements will be gone—so we’ve been working hard.
The window flower pots have been planted, and the red geraniums are already a cheerful, welcoming sight, showing signs of happy growth.
We’ve treated the terracotta floors and leather furniture to a glossy finish, which always lifts the appearance of the house. Everything is shining!
A Few Key Upgrades
Our biggest investment was replacing the old bench-style electric oven with a multi-purpose microwave/convection oven—perfect for everything needed on a holiday. We also replaced the drip-filter coffee machine, which had become something of a relic (and probably belongs in a museum).
The skillets—long past their prime—were swapped out too. In short, we’ve polished, scrubbed, and refreshed everything in readiness for a season of incoming guests and friends.
A Lucky Find
My happiest purchase for the house came entirely by chance.
We have a sturdy steel contraption hanging above the island bench. From it dangle our pots and pans. With limited storage space, it’s practical and useful—but I’d always imagined copper pots hanging there, to soften the look of all those utilitarian skillets.
I mentioned this idea to Neil. Old copper pots are highly sought after and usually quite expensive.
There’s a thrift shop in the main street with peculiar opening hours called the Secours Populaire. It’s filled with bric-a-brac, most likely from deceased estates, and I love fossicking through it. I’ve occasionally found some lovely treasures there.
Copper Dreams
As we were driving down the street yesterday, I noticed the shop was open—and just for a moment, I caught the distinct glint of copper.
“STOP THE CAR!” I exclaimed to Neil, who wondered what on earth was wrong.
I bounded into the shop to find a freshly delivered box with a copper pot sitting right on top. A woman had her hand on it (I prayed hard she’d take it off), and to my great relief, she promptly put it back.
I quickly pulled it out and rummaged further, uncovering a second little copper pot.
When I inquired about the price, I was told the smaller one was ancienne—very old—and therefore twice the price of the other. We parted with 15€, along with two very dirty copper pots.
Restoring the Shine
Back home, I got to work on them with some Brasso, and they came up quite well, I think. They’re now hanging in place—and to my eye, they add a stylistic touch to the rustic charm of the house.
Mission accomplished.
