I was up North for a couple of days visiting my dad-in-law with cityfarmer II. He lives in Gravelines which is the hometown of my hubby. It is an old fortified town under the reign of Louis XIV way back then. We still see the remnants of the fortifications and statues of chevaliers.

It was way too cold up North! Apparently during the canicule, it can be up to 48° but of course due to the unpredictable change in weather, the temperature took a sudden plunge and back to the temp of polar bears! Haha! It's the wind that is really cutting! As Gravelines is near the beach, we get all the seabreezes that can cut u up in two and left your teeth chattering till there's no tomorrow! And of course, being summer, hardly anyone turns on the heater in the house! I have to be armoured with layers of blankets and socks as my feet have a habit of turning into blocks of ice as night falls. I am never one who sleeps with socks as this idea appears so 'duh' to me. Alas, wouldn't want my toes to fall off whilst I'm sleeping.

Of course when you are visiting, you do absolutely nothing besides being treated like a guest. You get invited to eat at restaurants, sleep, next day wake up eat again, watch tv and sleep again. Haha! The days of being a sloth! Really need to find something to do before I waste away in France and become a half wit. Really need to gain some intelligence in the head than the pounds in the body.

Since it's a town by the sea, it's famous for fries and mussels. However, I was enticed by the paella instead! Just imagine.... how the serving for paella for two looks like. Let me tell you, it's beyond your wildest dreams! It's funny how we always thought French cuisine comes in petite portions on fancy ware. It may be true enough in those exclusive restaurants that makes you think that you are eating gold. Otherwise, other restaurants serve you portions for a horse! I could never finish my meal in a French restaurant and it's so frustrating as ms hyw will know, I always finish my food in Sg.

Just look at this ridiculous portion!