CHAPTER SIXTEEN : THE PLUMP MERMAID

Since the beginning of Spring, every afternoon, weather permitting, I

have been out in the garden, clearing the undergrowth,weeding, digging,

and so on.Needless to say that all those activities mean being sore all over the days after ! But never mind ! No pain, no gain, and after all Rome

wasn't built in a day. The tiniest nook cleared of brambles and nettles

makes me a happy camper. And remember ! I am a perky busy bee.

It's all the easier to cultivate my image as I have read somewhere that

just exercising your green thumb can whittle your waist ! Weeding helps

you tone your legs, arms, shoulders and back. The more resistant your weeds,

the better your workout is. Great ! Given such useful information, it is easy

to jump to the conclusion that " hard work deserves fair reward ". That saying suited me perfectly and I strived to follow it literally. Breton teatime was just what I needed to restore my flagging energy level.

As you know, Brittany is home to lots of tasty treats : Kouign Aman, a rich

sugary butter cake, or, Far Breton, a flan style eggs-and-milk custard with 

flour added and prunes or raisins, not to mention some delicious salted

butter spread on a crêpe ! Breton teatime really delighted my taste-buds !

But, there is always a 'but'..

Exercising has never meant bingeing on desserts, and I experienced it

last week in the bathroom...

After giving a wary look at the scales, I mustered up my energy and hopped

onto them ! The number that flashed up in front of me floored me !!!

If I didn't pull myself together, I would be stripped of my title of

" Perky Busy Bee ". Even worse : I would be given the consolation prize :

the '' Greedy Lazy Bee " medal !

No time to spare ! I rushed out of the bathroom, slipped into my 

tracksuit ( Geez ! A bit too tight !), grabbed my sports bag and off to

the swimming pool.

Halfway from the ' redeeming ' pool I bumped into a friend of mine. When

I told him I was going to take some swimming laps, he said there was 

no more water, but I didn't pay attention because he is a prankster !

I quickened my pace, instead. The car-park in front of the swimming-pool

was nearly empty. Good ! I don't like when the pool is crowded, especially

with children frolicking, yelling, splashing, jumping, etc. Don't get me

wrong : I am not a grumpy girl , I am just a peace-seeker !

I took out my membership card ( its cost will never be recouped but that is another story ) and as I was about to push the entrance door, I noticed a

sign on the side. It said :

Pool area closed for maintenance 

Gosh ! For once I should have taken my friend in earnest !

I went back home and guess what....

On my way I stopped at the baker's and went on a Danish Pastry binge

to forget my dry swimming costume and my membership card expiring

quite soon !