Natasha Robinson’s stories of life in hospitality, between London and East Sussex.
This morning the weather has broken. It’s August 15. To me, it is and will forever be, “le quinze Août”, The Assumption, an important day in France.
As a child, my sister and I would spend three months every year, with our grandmother and great aunt in the south of France. When my mother sent us off, packing for the holiday was easy. A couple of dresses for my sister, a couple of pairs of shorts for me and as many swimsuits as she could find. But she always included a jumper each, just in case. The days were long and hot, as we roamed blissfully wild on our great aunt’s estate. Summer seemed endless, until “le quinze Août” each year, when the weather would break. The sky was suddenly overcast and the temperature would drop significantly. The season was coming to an end, soon it would be time to go home and worst of all… school. Bored with two months of swimsuits, I’d rush for my jumper.
My grandmother would have none of it and immediately instructed me to remove it. For in those days dear reader, I’m tempted to say, one obeyed one’s grandmother. In truth I don’t believe that. Some parents and grandparents just have authority, regardless of when you were born and she was one of those.
Of course the couple of days were just a blip and the August heat returned until the beginning of September, when things would start to cool down in time for the grape harvest and our return to London, when we could wear our jumpers on the plane home.
Back in Rye, the same is true. The summer’s far from over, with the rest of the month forecast to be in the mid twenties. The extraordinary heat that we endured recently, causing some restaurants to close as conditions in kitchens became unbearable, has subsided. In my day, we worked through all conditions. But that doesn’t make it right. It fills me with pride that our industry is confident enough and concerned enough, to put its staff ahead of its profits. Several shops in town, also changed their opening hours to accommodate their customers. Once again, good service, my bugbear, that intangible extra that makes the difference between a forgettable day out and an experience to remember.
The main concern is the hosepipe ban. Even the longest established perennials are suffering and the time, energy and money that we invest in our gardens, is forcing us to become far more creative with water capture, storage and recycling.
On the plus side, the wineries of Sussex are rejoicing. Those with established plots or estates, whose vines are deep rooted enough to withstand drought, are planning an early harvest this year. That will eliminate at least one of the perils of viticulture; the balance between harvesting the grapes at the optimum time and the battle with the elements.
So whatever you’ve got planned for the rest of the summer, you’ve still got plenty of time to do it. Jumpers are optional.
Image Credits: Family photo .