Medieval retreat

We are in the historic medieval town of Dijon, France, having taken the train here from Paris. We're staying with an old friend.

Our room is a small chamber above an inner courtyard, behind two vast green doors that open onto a narrow street. A balcony at our window is planted with pink oleander, roses, marigolds and ivy. Two chairs invite us to sit - except there is a sudden summer rain.

Below, against the whitewashed wall of the house, a pink hydrangea is in full bloom. A wisteria vine coils up the wall. An apricot with rosy-blushed fruit droops its branches.

There are carved stone lions on the golden stone wall. This house was built in 1541. What a great place to nap, snuggled under a quilt on a rainy afternoon.