Instructions for 4 heatwaves

1. Know that inviting someone for a mid morning coffee doesn't mean that they'll be gone before midnight.

2. Never smoke Spanish weed belonging to an English burlesque stripper from New Orleans.

3. Don't have a shower after a river swim.  Don't have a shower full stop.

4. In fact avoid hot water of any kind unless it's to make a bowl of tea in the morning.

5. Understand and accept that the first thing adolescents do when they come into the kitchen is open the fridge door.

6. Understand and accept that Bobby's proclivity for black coffee and red wine over water will mean he ends up at Soulano (aka Heatwave Hotel) under the world weary jurisdiction of Dr Azzedine.

7. Entertain strangers for thereby you entertain angels unawares, just know that it'll take a toll on your liver.

8. Understand and accept that cleaning gites on a daily basis in 40°C means that your own house is a wretched mess. 

9. The canal distance from the Moulin to the little bridge is the length of an Olympic pool.  Do 20 lengths a day and you've done a kilometer (fail)

10.  Try to get up early (fail)

11. Do your morning yoga.  It keeps body and mind together (fail).

12. Do not go to a party as a dark angel.  It's too hot for that.

13. Do not accept the invitation to sit on your boss' lap at said party, even if there aren't enough chairs, you know what he's like.

14. Listen to Blake Shelton and the High Kings when ever you drive anywhere.  The journey goes quicker.

15. Don't accept to clean gites.

16. Accept Gretchen's invitation to drink a marguerita on the terrace of the Relais every evening at 5.30 and do not not let her pay.  Her wrath is terrifying.

17.  Enjoy every moment of your children in the rapids at Le tout petit Robinson.

18.  Appreciate water in all it's forms.  There are empty rivers elsewhere.

19.  Give up hope that the late afternoon storm clouds above the Pyrennees mean rain chez nous.

20. Know that there's another heatwave on its way and keep on learning....