Ingredients:

One tree, one large table, a large handful of stones, Three terraces, a big bunch of trees, lots of grass, a jungle of bamboo, one pool, one large kitchen, five beach chairs, 11 bedrooms, 11 comfy beds, lots of cold stone floors, one climbing frame, one cellar, one library, a roof with a view, an airy office, ten olive trees and a big black Gate.

Combine the above into a mould that looks like a house with a garden and when it has settled, add the following: lots of kids, millions of crickets, hot sunny days, silly adults, grumpy teenagers, lots of wind, a BBQ, great cooks, better sous chefs, a sommelier from Sweden, wines in a 1000 mile radius, laughter, dancing, jokes that make no sense and never end, a reorder of the universe, political discussions that start new politics in an old world, red noses, sun lotions, white backsides, wet swimsuits, towels and a few mosquitoes .

When the mixture has come together in a solid mass that is firm yet can be spread evenly, sprinkle with some wine, cheese, fresh bread, fois-gras, iPods’, music, air guitars, Limousin steaks, fresh fruits, dried cranberries, mussels, oysters, sword fish, ice creams, patisseries, croissants, noisy running around, clothes drying in the sun and a kitchen table that is never empty.

Spread all over your vacations and bake evenly at around 35 degrees C gradually cooling it down to 28 degrees.

Remove from life’s oven and smile all over it…. …. Lou Castelet.