We've been back in France for just over two weeks, and today (yesterday) is/was our first cloudy day. We didn't see the sun all day. However, it was still very warm and the pool water had remained over 27 C, so we did have a few un-sunny swims.
It is so quiet here. Normally we see no-one all day. This morning a Dutch neighbour came by with his dog which made Billy happy. He doesn't see many other dogs here, unlike in Brighton. We have two Dutch neighbours, both of whom are charming, and both of whom have lovely dogs.
It's been so hot here recently that having a slightly cooler day is very refreshing. Without the burning sun on my back I was able to get-on with some gardening. Lady M made Apricot, and Plum, Jam, whilst I pruned Roses, and cut back Wisteria.
The grass isn't growing, so no need for mowing.
I began to red H E Bates' 'Fair stood the wind for France'. It wasn't what I was expecting, nor what I'd hoped for from Bates. I'm only half way through it, and already I'm thinking of abandoning it. We'll see. Instead I began re-reading Elizabeth David's wonderful 'An Omelette and a Glass of Wine'. She is such an intelligent writer, whether she's writing about food, travel, or anything else.
In many ways our trips to the supermarket are the days I look forward to most. I love driving through the countryside, being amongst people I don't know, occasionally chatting to people who possibly haven't spoken to anyone for a whole week. And, of course, treating ourselves to many of the delights on offer.
Country life can be very lonely for some people; especially the old. Many farms are isolated, and those who live by themselves can really welcome company or conversation. I must have a certain type of face, as I seem to be singled out by some as a 'listener'. I rather enjoy chatting away about any old subject; last week it was about Anchovies. A woman couldn't find Anchovies, and nor could I; we had quite a conversation about it. We never did find our Anchovies, so they're back on the list for my next visit later this week.
Nature often surprises me. This 'Lords and Ladies' (Arum Maculatum) plant just popped-up by the old fountain. I've noticed several around the garden this year. They are stunning.
The Sunflowers are almost in flower, the Bees have all gone (perhaps the hives have been taken away), and our fruit trees are all showing their future generous bounty. Life is pretty good, and VERY quiet.
I know that I mention it quite often, but I have lived here for over two-thirds of my life. I adore the area, I speak the language, and I like 99% of the people. What more could one ask for!
Whilst I realize that humans are social animals here is a Blaise Pascal (1623-1662) thought:
ReplyDelete"All of humanity's problems stem from man's inability to sit quietly in a room alone.”
Whilst I don't underwrite the "all", it's still worth pondering on in an age where the majority allows themselves to be bombarded by external stimuli at all times.
U
I consider myself lucky that I enjoy solitude. Not everyone does! I'm a little wary of Pascal; his infamous 'wager' tells us that it is better to believe in a 'God'; just in case. I think he was wrong.
DeleteThe "just in case" argument always makes me smile. The belt and braces combo most unbecoming. If anything, and by definition, it indicates a lack of "faith".
DeleteThose who actively enjoy solitude [yet are sociable when the occasion arises] were blessed by one of the fairies at their cradle.
U
That Fairy certainly blessed me!
DeleteSounds like to me you are living a very charmed life Cro. I wish I had a getaway place.
ReplyDeleteWe enjoy the contrast. One city centre home with hussle and bussle. The other miles from anywhere with perfect peace and quiet.
DeleteA place to escape the ills of the world.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly is. We couldn't have escaped further.
DeleteCROZIER Did you know there are more than 140 species of anchovy placed in 16 genera; they are found in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans, and in the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea.
ReplyDeleteWOMAN IN SUPERMARKET Yes. I already knew that. Did you know the earliest known fossil records of anchovy relatives are of large predatory stem-anchovies (Clupeopsis and Monosmilus) from the early and middle Eocene of the Tethys Ocean, in Belgium and Pakistan.The large fangs of these early anchovy relatives has led to the nickname "saber-toothed anchovies" (not to be confused with the extant genus Lycengraulis). The earliest record of a true anchovy is of the stem-engrauline Eoengraulis from the Early Eocene of Monte Bolca, Italy.
CROZIER How fascinating Madame. By the way do you know if LeClerc have any sheep's eyeballs in today? I am thinking of making a delicious eyeball stew with asparagus and pigs' trotters.
WOMAN IN SUPERMARKET Oui Monsieur - over in the butchery section next to the gonads.
You will no doubt be fascinated to hear that this very morning I bought two small elongated tins of Anchovy filets in Olive oil, and one much bigger glass jar of Anchovy filets also in Olive oil. We now have stocks for at least two weeks. If I see the nice lady again, I shall bore her on another subject.
DeleteI enjoy solitude too. I could live in the hills by myself happily for days maybe weeks on end. It rarely happens. On the other hand it's so comfortable and makes me happy to go into town where I know everyone and there are hullos and how are yous every few steps.
ReplyDeleteYou live in a summer paradise. I wonder if the bees will return. I know the hives are moved around here. And I haven't seen any sunflowers this year. Some here in years gone by we're the size of dinner plates.
I think the hives are still here, but the Bees themselves are keeping away from the pool. The Chestnut flowers are finished, and the Sunflowers are about to flower, but there are plenty of other things for them to feed off.
DeleteWhen I was a kid, I helped my father move 40 colonies of bees onto the farm of one of his flying buddies, Mr. Rowe had planted 100 acres of sunflowers and wanted bees to pollinate them. It was a well kept farm, and home to a friendly St. Bernard.
ReplyDelete100 acres of Sunflowers is huge. most farmers here have about 2 acres maximum. They grow both for next year's seed, and for oil. If it's a seed crop, they ask us not to grow any Sunflowers in our garden, as it would spoil the F1 lineage.
DeleteThe contrasts between Brighton and France are strong. You have the best of both worlds.
ReplyDeleteThey could hardly be more different, but I love them both.
DeleteI love reading about your country life in France. Idyllic is the word that comes to mind.
ReplyDeleteIt's a lovely area which, of course, is why we came to live here. It's very different now to how it was 50 years ago, but still totally charming.
DeleteI've never understood why you never took out residency in France when Brexit loomed. You would have ben able to vote in French elections and not worry about leaving on day 90.
ReplyDeleteThere were all sorts of tax complications. We had property and investments back in the UK, and it could have proved expensive. We're happy as we are.
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