Week-End in Normandy

Week-End à Deauville

Nicolaï 2011

A short vacation by the sea.
First walk along the tide line, shoes in hand, feet in the water, tingling freshness, wind, vastness, breathing deeply, watching my dog Meg as she chases seagulls in flying leaps, plunges into the rolling waves, then rolls in the wet sand, pure zest for life, salt on the skin and on the tongue = top note.

After hours at the beach, a break in the small café, sheltered from the wind, a bit tired, closing my eyes, dreamily perceiving the light floral scent from the flower boxes and pots around, thinking of nothing. At some point, a faint apple scent - my beloved has quietly conjured up a glass of Calvados - everything becomes light, floating, cheerful = heart note.

And on the last afternoon, all the heaviness, burdensome, unnecessary things we brought with us have given way to deep relaxation, the horizon is wide again, warm gratitude sets in. Snuggled in the old beloved leather jacket, a last look at the sea, a little sadness that it’s already over, the weekend = base.

And the next day, standing by the window, my nose buried deep in yesterday's sweater - a hint of the days by the sea, a memory of vastness, freshness, carefreeness = longevity.