It's about 7 am. I've done all my laptop stuff, so I'm now off to do some outdoor cleaning.
Around the pool there are always leaves and dead flowers to be swept away, there are always a few creepy-crawlies etc floating on the water that need to be removed, and there are the two skimmers to be cleaned and refilled with tabs (if necessary).
It's warm and the early morning sunshine is hitting the 'pump house' wall. I wear just a pair of shorts; no shoes or T shirt. The whole 'beach' cleaning process takes about 15 mins, unless I'm vacuuming the bottom of the pool as well.
It's so quiet. I feel as if I'm the only person who's up and about. I sit on the bench in the quiet, and simply soak-up the atmosphere. I am often tempted to have an early morning swim, but as usual I'll leave that to pre-lunchtime.
With Kimbo, Wills, and Boo Boo now gone, it feels a little sad. However, I have lots of work to do, and we have friends arriving from Barbados. Before we know it, we'll be heading back to Blighty, for Autumn, Winter, and Christmas.
As I sit on the bench I try to fix the moment into my mind. I try to preserve the warmth, the view, and the whole ambiance, just like our Summer jams, to be opened and enjoyed at a later date.
Yesterday evening, as we were sitting by the pool, a small flock of Swallows flew down to skim some water. They are so agile; there isn't a huge amount of room for them to manoeuver, but they managed perfectly.
Looking good. Winter hit us this morning - according to my phone it was 3 degrees C. feels like 1 degree. They were right about the 1 degree. It has been followed by a glorious day though, reaching a not very warm 13 degrees. Brrr. Still we both got outside. Doug painting a gate and me pruning.
ReplyDeleteIt's hot here. We're expecting 40 C tomorrow; I think we'll stay indoors, apart from a swim or two!
DeleteIn that case I am way happier here. I don't know how I would cope with that temperature. It was pleasant in the sun today.
DeleteAnd 38 C today!
DeleteYour wistful post has an almost poetic ring to it.
ReplyDeleteI do think of early morning as "me time". The peace, the quiet. Which reminds me: Where the hell have all the seagulls gone? Not that I am complaining. I can do without their screeching and tearing outside bins apart. There were times when I felt like an extra in Hitchcock's "Birds" when leaving the house. Alas, no small birds' song either. Pigeons clearly still asleep.
However, what I can observe [from my birds' eye view] this very minute is a guy picking up yesterday evening's cigarette butts around the restaurants' outside tables. Luckily I am of a sunny disposition; otherwise it'd be a sight to make one sigh.
Main thing is to keep enjoying your moments in France whilst they last.
U
I've just finished 'vacuuming' the floor of the pool, and Lady M has had an early swim. No Seagulls here; I rather miss them.
DeleteThe seagulls are turning into land gulls. We get a few here competing with the magpies for the bread that has been put out . What a racket they make. It does sound like we are at the coast tho. Your post today does sound a little wistful. Every day is a good day.
ReplyDeleteAs I don't eat chips on the beach, I have nothing against Seagulls. They do make a lot of noise, and they make nests on our roof, but I see them as 'decorative items' that beautify the sky. I may be alone in this!
DeleteI know what you mean about fixing that moment in time in your memory. I do that too sometimes during a quiet moment on the garden bench.
ReplyDeleteIt's good for the soul.
Yes, but the recollections never quite hit the mark. I used to do it as a child when I felt really WELL. I'd try to fix those moments for when (or if) I became ill. It didn't really work then either.
DeleteI remember sitting on a beach in NZ like that. Trying to drink in the atmosphere, photograph it all in my mind.
ReplyDeleteThose early morning hours are a special time., for work and contemplation
I did quite a lot of work this morning then Lady M had a swim, it was lovely. It's going to be even hotter today so we're getting things done early.
DeleteHow absolutely delightful. I just popped into the garden to pick up some windfall pears and had a similar experience. Clear blue skies, warm and Mr Fox watched me throughout !!!! XXXX
ReplyDeleteI've made ONE pot of Blackberry Jam this morning, I might go quickly to see if I can find more. We need about three jars for winter.
Delete"As I sit on the bench, I try to fix the moment into my mind. I try to preserve the warmth, the view, and the whole ambience, just like our Summer jams, to be opened and enjoyed at a later date..." Comparing summer memories with jars of jam is a clever and effective idea. Sometimes only figurative language will do.
ReplyDeleteI've just returned with a big bag of Blackberries. More jam making for me this afternoon.
DeleteIt is a good life.
ReplyDeleteIt's very hot here; too hot to be doing much outdoors (other than swimming).
DeleteYour pool and patio are very lovely. The blue of the water is very tropical looking.
ReplyDeleteHigh heat is oppressive and definitely not my favorite weather.
Your sons installed Starlink, and I suspect they could install a heat pump for you too. The heat pump would keep your home cool in the summer heat.
Our house is a 300 year old stone cottage, which in summer is cool and inviting. In winter it's cosy and warm. It's always a bit dark inside, but we don't mind.
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