Arriving at a secret location in rural France, I immediately felt at home.

“Mi casa, su casa”, they told me – the words you always want to hear when you’re going to be a guest for almost a week.

Of course it helped that I’ve known them both for a very long time, and I’m still rather proud of the fact that I introduced them over a decade ago, and now married, they’ve created this home together in a quiet village in the Languedoc region.

France will always hold a special place in my heart, and knowing my friends as I do, I already suspected that this visit was going to be the perfect balance of wellness, great food and wine.

And it didn’t disappoint.

It was a week of nourishment – of body, mind and soul.

The best local produce was used to created nutritious but delicious meals, whenever possible on the fire outside, accompanied by Bob’s excellent choices of wine.

As a food lover myself, I was delighted to to be involved at every stage of the process – from doing the shopping, where I got to meet all the local artisan producers, then enjoying a little “apero” while he prepared the meals.

Being able to ask endless questions and make notes so I could re-create the meals at home was a real treat. I

felt like I was a guest on Saturday Kitchen, but I didn’t need to dress up. I could make myself at home, in my cosy clothes and slippers supplied by Betty – only the very best from Falke, a very welcome caring touch that took comfort to a whole new level.

It’s a rare thing to be able to successfully balance healthy eating and gourmet cookery, but with the combined knowledge and experience of Betty and Bob, they really did nail it.

I’m a bit of a nutrition geek myself, and my body said a resounding “Oui!”. On my first night we enjoyed Mushroom Risotto, which I’d actually never made before, but taking notes, I will be recreating this at home for sure.

It was made from three types of mushrooms, including locally foraged ceps, and cooked in their homemade chicken stock, which was 24 hours in the making. Steak Tartare on the fire was next – “Aller et Retour”.

This was a revelation for me. It’s one of my favourite dishes in a restaurant, but I’d never made it, and this was steak tartare with a twist. Donning my Santa apron (it did rather feel like Christmas), I helped tender the steak and make the patties which were just “shown” the fire each side, before we got to choose our own toppings.

Leeks in Vinaigrette were the accompaniment. Again a revelation for me, just chucking the whole leeks on the fire, then removing the charred skin, before slicing and adding the vinaigrette.

Of course, the vinaigrette wasn’t any old vinaigrette, but made with their homemade Red Wine vinegar.

My highlight was our Seafood Asado night, where neighbour Richard joined us for an outdoor feast around the fire. The meal started at the fish market. It was like an Aladdin’s cave of fish and seafood and we got all of my favourite things. Oysters, Coquilles Saint Jacques, Squid and Sardines – what a menu this was going to be, but I was curious to find out how it was going to work out on the fire.

The fire was lit with wood from the vines, which gave it a very unique aroma, Richard shucked the oysters like a pro, and we all got involved in preparing everything before going outside to cook our feast together.

There’s something about eating around a fire that’s so primal, so natural, yet so magical at the same time.

Part of the magic of it all was knowing where the food had come from, and the wine of course.

I totally fell in love with a place in the neighbouring village of Faugères, Grands Vins Du Terroirs, where we were welcomed to taste the wines before buying. I love France for this; it’s like Croatia, no one bats an eyelid about you drinking at 10am if it’s the good stuff and just a taste.

As well as their own wines, they also have an excellent butcher, with the best selection of meat from all parts of the animal. You just know that these animals have been taken care of, respected and that they are from just down the road. I’m all about supporting the farmers right now, and I’m in exactly the right place.

In amongst all the eating, there is also some plenty of walks, relaxation and pamper sessions, and I’m more than happy to try out one of Betty’s gentle but powerful massages. I

have a session in the gym, a cold dip in the sea, face masks, baths with Epsom salts, and an afternoon nap whenever I feel like it.

I’ve also found my own little spot in the garden, a solitary chair in a corner by the pool, where I sit and meditate, just listening to the birds, and allowing my head to completely empty of the any of the remaining stresses of the modern world.

The village is exactly the tempo I love. Slow but still moving, and again I’m reminded of the Croatian “Polako” life.

“Adopt the pace of nature where nothing is rushed”, as John Muir said.

I leave feeling both nourished and inspired, I felt the love in the place, and I felt loved.

What better feeling is there in the world?

Thank you Betty and Bob for all the love you shared.