I mentioned Maurice a few years back when he was living in his Volvo estate car with his dog Rex. Other than the car and dog, he owned just one white plastic chair.
Nowadays he has an old caravan parked in our neighbour's poly/barn, where he lives with his latest Alsatian, Karl. I think there was another dog in between; he's a big Alsatian fan.
Maurice pops round to see us every so often, he's a friendly soul. Unfortunately he speaks in an almost 100% incomprehensible voice. I think he must have had a stroke at some time, and it has affected his speech badly.
Anyway we get by. We talk about dogs, and life, and the weather, and how awful certain things are, and how he loves it here. My best bet with Maurice is to keep talking, and not give him time to reply. That way I don't have to ask him to repeat himself.
Poor old Maurice; life hasn't been kind to him in his later years. He's been living just down the road in his caravan for the past 4 or 5 years, otherwise I don't really know much about him.
Karl is a lovely dog.
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I am a big Alsatian fan too ever since I was three years old and one called Rip was my best friend. He belonged to my next door neighbour and I used to go out into the garden every day and read him stories. I understand that he waited by the fence every day for months after we moved home. x
He is lucky to have you as a neighbor.
Our nearest neighbours used to have a huge male, very dark coloured, Alsatian. He was a very impressive dog, and a real 'gentle giant'. He spent all his days with us and the children; I think we were the only people who took any notice of him.
I'm not sure about that, but he's always welcome.
People have so many stories to tell.
Bok must be very welcoming and friendly to have so many visiting dogs. Lovely dog and, beautiful green grass too.
Greetings Maria x
We were originally a little worried about Karl, but Bok and he seem to got on quite well; not always the case with 2 males.
We knew an English woman who was living in a similar way. She had a lot of money when she came to France but frittered it away. She finally ended up in a caravan as well. Said she was the happiest she had ever been...no responsibilities, refused to pay any bills, and a local commune who kindly donated food to her. But everyone ran out of steam with her in the end and she had to go back to the UK.
Maurice is lucky to have you as a neighbour, and I hope he has found his peace with life.
Rather sad Cro and yet he seems to be content with his way of life. He may be self conscious about his speech - in which case he may be happy because the dog understands him. Glad he is able to come around ane 'chat' to you.
Peter seems to spend time with people like Maurice judging by the tales he sometimes passes on to me. A lot of being with people like Maurice is just that, being there.
He certainly seems content with his lot. I think he's decided that a caravan in a plastic-sheeted barn is all he needs.
He seems to be coming round more and more, which is fine by me. Otherwise I don't suppose he speaks to many people.
He's quite a nice old boy too; it's just a shame about his speech impediment.
How wonderful that Maurice has this ability to communicate with his dog/s even though he's otherwise verbally restricted. So sweet of you to take time with him; he obviously appreciates it and keeps returning to enjoy your company. Karl looks contented and well-fed. These dogs are used as police and watchman guard dogs here in South Africa. Thanks for sharing this post. Greetings Jo
It's good that he's got a dog to love and care for.
The person in whose barn he lives is a champion breeder of Alsatians. Karl is a very calm dog who obviously gives Maurice great comfort.
He ain't got much else.
I suppose if we thought about it many of us could be just one incident away from being in a similar situation. I cannot imagine it being a happy one but then what is happiness (or contentment)?
These people who are on the fringes of society are strange, but I sort of understand it. We have a French tramp in Bath now, but his mental issues are a bit more obvious and accompanied by certain twitchy, almost theatrical movements of head and hand.
Not a pleasant thought is it.
I suppose Maurice is just one step away from being called a tramp, but I don't expect he sees himself thus. He's on a permanent caravaning holiday.
I think if I lived alone and was destitute (or closer to destitution than I am now) I would quite like to live in a caravan.
He has no worries, hardly any expenses, and no-one bothers him. Perfect.
Sounds rather like Alan Bennett's Lady in the Van.
I suppose it does, in fact he was more like her before he was given the caravan.
Thank you for sharing Maurice and Karl with us.
Karl is a lovely dog. I hope Maurice has a place to bathe and use the toilet. I wonder if he has a doctor. What about heat when it's cold and air conditioning when it's very hot? It makes me think of The Lady In the Van. The world is filled with homeless people.
Love,
Janie
I wasn't sure whether to or not, but I'm pleased I did.
I really have no idea. I'm not a caravan person, but I presume they have 'facilities'.
I comfort myself with the thought that one of my children will take me in when my money runs out. Failing that, a caravan in someone's field would be lovely.
Some do, but not all.
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