Sunday mornings I usually make coffee and fetch bread from the bakers just a few yards from our front door. Today is Valentines day so Carole will get chocolates with her coffee, Sunday paper, fresh bread and jam in bed this morning.

I have blogged a few times about the pleasure of being able to have warm bread and croissants on the table fresh from the bakers seven days a week – but today was exceptional – I like a type of bread called pavé, a “plumper” loaf than a baguette or banette, there was none on the shelf this morning, but my (very pretty) baker was just taking some from the oven in the shop as I walked in – the bread was too hot to hold so she gave me a shopping bag to carry the bread home.

Vive la France