Places in France : Deauville in Spring

It's not summer yet, but one can see the potential of the throngs of people that will gather once the weather warms up. As it was, on a chilly spring mid morning - the scarves, foulards and heavy jackets were all telling of the weather outside. We arrived just before lunch, after a toss up between staying in the apartment and watching the Golf Masters on TV,  or making the two hour drive to Deauville ; a beach resort in Western France. Deauville won out and it was well worth the drive.

It's quaint and postcard pretty. I am sure it's a complete zoo in the summer but from information garnered at the tourist office - there is a lot more to Normandy than the beach, the Calvados and the apple cider.  We shall return to tick off the other activities on our Normany-to-do-list. Giverny being top of my list...after having seen Monet's lilies at Musee d'Orangerie, I would definitely want to see the place where he drew inspiration.

Had a simple but delicious Italian lunch at Romantica Caffe. Carbo-loaded on a creamy polenta dish and scallops, watched my son and husband inhale their penne and tagliatell bolognaise , and my daughter dig into the open lasagne with prawns; finished it off with a light and fluffy tiramisu for the rest and more wandering around the town- it was an afternoon well spent.

Watched the final day of the Masters on Sunday or rather Monday morning for me - had secretly been wishing that Charl Shwartzel would be putting the green jacket on Louis Oosthuizen's shoulders - that would have been a truly proud moment for South Africans. Alas it was not to be as Louis unfortunately lost it to Bubba Watson in a play-off.

Hope your Easter, Passover, or day off work was peaceful.

More pictures of Deauville here, as always I was feeling shutter-happy.

A sculpture by Georges Saulterre on the way...

The cat and gargoyle on the roof are very interesting additions to the rooftops

Postcard pretty