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| That's Not My Passport. |
This post comes to you live from Provence. Where it appears that les marches rustique are following us around. Needless to say, I've had my fill of colourful straw bags, tacky tablecloths and Peruvian nick-nackery (can anyone explain the connection?). We're staying in a beautiful valley, not dissimilar to the setting in The Returned, where a small Victor-like boy seems to be following us around too - and even more worryingly, a teenage girl the spitting image of Camille/Alice likes to hang around outside our maison. Scary.
In other news, I bought a pair of striped espadrilles and Monsieur That's Not My Age has been banned from the local piscine for sporting inappropriate swimwear. In France, it would appear that mini Speedos are de riguer and tasteful black swim shorts are forbidden. The Blog Widower was told, in no uncertain terms by the lifeguard, that he will not be allowed back in unless he's wearing the correct trunks. As far as I'm concerned he's the only man in the place in the right pants - but rules are rules, and so we spent yesterday touring Provence in search of a pair of tight Lycra swimming trunks. Monsieur TNMA is now the proud owner of a pair of old-school navy briefs with go-faster white stripes. The likes of which he hasn't considered since he was Victor's age. We're off to la piscine to try them out - though Monsieur is worried that he'll be arrested for indecency.
A bientôt.
oh poor Monsieur! persecuted by the Fashion Police, and at the pool no less. Lovely striped espadrilles. Glad to hear your trip is good fun!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous photo of you! Poor old Mr TNMA. Jon always packs the Speedos he wore on his first trip abroad with the lads when he was 21 for that very reason. x
ReplyDeleteFantastic pix of Provence! Looks like a fun trip!
ReplyDeleteSpeedos- sigh.
ReplyDeleteThe striped espadrilles however lift my spirits, I recently scored a pair of houndstooth ones, and feel very Speedo-apprope slopping out in them.
Hilarious story about Monsieur's swimwear troubles! Love it.
ReplyDeleteI'm quite regretting resisting all the espadrilles at all the markets. . . but I don't regret that my guy never got a chance to wear speedos in public! Enjoy your adventures in the land of summer!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos, the French are so hilariously old school, budgie smugglers for men of a certain age are not usually a good look, could be worse though!
ReplyDeleteFunny :). You look great. Have a wonderful time!
ReplyDeleteHilarious! I have to say that Mr V would sympathise - he always grudgingly packs a pair of swimming briefs for our holidays in the south of France for exactly the same reason. Love the stripey espardrilles! Have a wonderful holiday!
ReplyDeleteCute espadrilles! We were there in the wrong season for those. Too funny about the swim trunks...did they allow him in with the new ones?
ReplyDeleteOh yikes, I think we need to see said Speedos in situ...
ReplyDeleteI think now we are all waiting for a photo of le Monsieur's "appropriate" Speedos ;-)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your time in France with a decent bottle of wine and laugh about it!!
Annette | Lady of Style
I have heard tales of many a sartorially superior British man being harangued for his swimwear and, indeed, been witness to my own husband's terror in the local Leclerc having to choose a pair of skimpies. Thank goodness bikinis aren't obligatory.
ReplyDeleteLovely pic, the reason for the short ban is hygiene. People wear shorts France to cycle and during the day generally and the pool attendants know that speedos aren't worn anywhere else. Shocking for us in the UK though, but then men don't often wear shorts here so the problem doesn't arise.
ReplyDeleteHave just returned from Croatia where Speedo s ( or nothing!) seem to be de rigour . My teenagers looked positively old fashioned in their baggy shorts but were just too self conscious to go for the brief option
ReplyDeleteOh, dear. Where do people get such funny ideas? Your husband is a great sport. And I love your striped espadrilles.
ReplyDeleteWell if you make it down to Aix stop by for a pastis!
ReplyDeleteThe post must go into the "only in France " category!
ReplyDeleteWarm wishes
I haven't been to Provence for a few years but would love to return. Apart from the beautiful scenery and amazing food, I need a new straw beach bag! Your espadrillles are so cute.
ReplyDeletehttp://missbbobochic.blogspot.co.uk/
Just went to a swim party here in the States, and the local wine maker (who is from France) wore...Speedos. His American girlfriend was apologizing for him.
ReplyDeleteWe had exactly this problem a couple of years ago in France. Mr M had to squeeze himself into tiny little speedos because his swimming shorts were prohibited. We swam in our apartment block pool where we counted 9 notice boards regarding various prohibited activities, no shorts; no snorkels; no canoodling and bizarrely no wellington boots
ReplyDeleteA very funny story told in your usual clever style. Love the photo of you in your hat. Your looking very stylish posting live from Provence.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for linking up with Hat Attack!
Oh, oh! Typo! You're instead of your, last sentence.
ReplyDeleteOMG, MrB wouldn't wear a Speedo if his life depended on it!
ReplyDeleteoh this is hilarious. omg, i can't even imagine. i just can't! so funny.
ReplyDeleteYep. The French Speedo thing is real and true. My husband and I have a wee place in France, and he has a special pair of what he calls his 'French swimming trunks" for this very purpose. If your husband is like mine and would not endure the thought of a speedo, I suggest a pair of boxer-brief-type trunks for the local piscine. That's what we did.
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