Things I Never Knew I Needed

This is the third time I've tried to write this. 

Last night I ended up next door with a couple of my fellow travelers chewing the fat, drinking tea and eating the amazing Brets Cheese Chips from Lidl - so writing did not occur. 

This morning, after breakfast, I started writing this again. I'm not on the winery and oyster tour - last night's asthma attack has left me a little sore and shaken - and I don't feel liking spending the day going from pillar to post. I go most of this written, only to have the network die and nothing saved. 

So, I'm trying again. 

Here's a list of some things I didn't know I needed. (She saves the post). 

• Flannels
• A small thermos flask
• Ventolin
• A crochet hook and some wool
• A supply of Coke Zero

1) Flannels

Something new - it might be post-COVID, but hotels will regularly not supply you with a flannel (face cloth, wash cloth, whatever you might like to call it.) Being of the generation who use a flannel, normally to wash my face and distribute soap around my body in the shower, I like to have a flannel - but you can often not get one. 

So, in England, I hunted out a pack of four from the British equivalent of TK Maxx. Four for four quid - Egyptian cotton. They've done the job. I can leave them there if I wish. But my ablutions feel more normal.  (Save post)

2) A Small Thermos Flask

I love the Sommieres fairy fort more than you could know, BUT they do serve coffee, like most great establishments, in stupid little cups. 

For me, coffee comes in a mug. I'm a bogan. If you could see me now, in my leggings, Pixies band t-short and hair in a bandana, yeah, I'm a bogan. And tea is imbibed out of mugs. 

Also, my coffee is choice is a Melbourne Wanker - an almond or oat decaf latte. I'm not going to ask...

So, in the girl's kitchen next door I have some instant decaf - Monoprix, which means it's drinkable - as well as some oat milk in their fridge. 

At the Lidl, I found a small thermos flask. It has been a godsend. (Save post)

3) Ventolin

You're not an asthmatic until you are. 

I always have a puffer on me. 

Normally, I will cart around my puffer, and it will be thrown out when the medicine expires. 

I brought a puffer over with me. 

Last night, I needed it. 

You see, I've had a chest infection / something fluey and chesty. I also brought with me some antibiotics from an old repeat, just in case. I'm glad I've had both with me. 

Last night it was a mix of wood smoke and the chilly Languedoc air that set me off. 

I couldn't breathe. 

Thank God for Ventolin. 

I'm taking it easy today - not going to a winery and oyster tour, just so I can take care of myself. 

But I'm glad I carry Ventolin - even if I only need it only once or twice a year. It's the cold air that gets me every time.  (Save post)

4) Some wool and a crochet hook

I'm blaming one of the Jays for this. 

We have three women named Jay on the trip. They're all different, all have links to comedy and they're all hilarious in their own way. 

One of the Jays is a knitter. We were sitting around last night with a glass of wine (or in my case a peppermint tea) 

I got very emotional. I wanted to be knitting. I love knitting - any yarn work, if I'm honest. 

This morning, I traipsed down the hill, found the mercerie and bought a couple of balls or yarn and a crochet hook. All in French of course. 

I should be writing, but it's nice to have a side quest. And it will pack easily. 

5) A Supply of Coke Zero

Maybe it's a being sick thing, but I've been craving Coke Zero (or Coke Sans Sucre) as it is known here. Generally, I don't drink coke or any of its derivations at home. I don't need the caffeine. 

Here, I feel like I'm mainlining it. 

Very strange. 

Okay, I'm saving this one last time, then I'll head down to meet the other stop-out for a quick lunch. 

(Save's post)

Today's song: