DAYS THAT STRETCH A LITTLE LONGER

The children usually make straight for the pool before anyone has finished unpacking the bags. There is a shallow pool for little ones, while the main pool gives older children plenty of space to splash, dive and make friends with whoever happens to be there that day. The grown-ups finally get to do something the beach rarely allows in August. Sit still. Read a few pages of a book. Finish a conversation. Order another cold drink without worrying that everything is slowly disappearing beneath a layer of sand.

The music drifts through the garden without ever taking over. It feels lively enough to give the place an atmosphere, but never loud enough that you have to compete with it.

LUNCH BESIDE THE POOL

Lunch tends to arrive in stages. A plate of sweet potato fries for everyone to share. Sushi that disappears almost as quickly as it reaches the table. Burgers for the children, another round of drinks for the adults and, inevitably, someone wandering over to the ice cream freezer before they’ve quite finished eating. There is no pressure to move on afterwards. That’s part of what makes Ses Veles work so well. The afternoon simply carries on. Another swim. Another drink. A quiet hour stretched out beneath the parasol while swimming costumes dry in the sun.

WHAT LINGERS

The relief of escaping the August heat without feeling shut indoors. Cold drinks appearing just when you need them, children moving effortlessly between the water and the day bed, and the rare feeling that everyone is happy exactly where they are. Some summer days ask very little of you. Find some shade. Cool off. Eat well. Stay a little longer. Ses Veles has become one of those places we return to whenever that’s exactly what we need.