Monday, June 9, 2014

First to face the Truth and last to leave old Truths behind *






For most of the year the little market sells radishes and cheese. Then, from June to August it swells with exotic arrivals. Tunisian bag men, Moroccan leather goods sellers and the gentlemen from Chad with their carved wooden masks. The fact that they return every year must indicate the presence of buyers. Interestingly, the Peruvian pan pipe men have moved on. Their place taken by an exotic lady in a fez and a bright red house coat who reads palms. She charges €5 for a palm reading, €10 for a 'consultation'. Her hand painted sign promises '' All will be revealed " .

Still no sign of the old farmer. 15 days since he set off for Belarus. We'll wait until mid-week before worrying. His Christmas star still comes on at ten and goes off at two.

Bob and Sophie chase lizards, go fishing in the stream, doze in the cherry orchard and bark at pilgrims ( a lot of them today including three identically dressed American ladies in knee length grey shorts, seersucker shirts, and walking poles who infuriate Sophie by stopping to say hello)

* A Rudyard Kipling poem about France  quoted by the Queen, in French, at a dinner in Paris during her state visit.

15 comments:

WFT Nobby said...

Did the old farmer indicate how long he expected to be away?

Julie said...

The market certainly looks very colourful.
I guess paw reading is not necessary as for the PONs it's always, 'This is going to be the best day ever !'
Hope the you hear from the old farmer soon, to put your mind at rest

Angus said...

A couple of weeks. Did that or did that not include the four days there and the four days back ? Those little points of detail that make all the difference.

Whispering Walls said...

What's your fortune?

Anonymous said...

I do hope the old farmer is well. Hopefully he is having fun.
Our little market remains much the same throughout the year, but during the summer we do have a very nice music festival and several Marche Nocturnes . Always good for a spot of al fresco Saucisse Aligot!
x

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

With all the events happening in France on our news, I did wonder if the old Farmer had returned. Hopefully he is safe and well, and perhaps caught up in the festivities on his journey -- Do let us know, and do let us know if you decide to have your palm read.

Angus said...

A tall Swede is going to go shopping.

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

Straw bags and flowers. Irresistible.
and is it wrong for me, being somewhat Scottish, to still adore the Queen?

Angus said...

It isn't wrong at all to adore the Queen. Or her consort .

Kari said...

Can you track the old farmer's cell phone? Even if it's not a smart phone you could track it via a tracking site like accutrack. Calling might be insulting, tracking an invasion of privacy but safety is the ultimate issue.
Do Bob and Sophie have any interest in the pool? Can they swim?

Jake of Florida said...

Through your vivid descriptions we all get attached to your fellow inhabitants in deepest france profonde. Now a fond reader and her wire fox terrier are also concerned about an old farmer who is off on a trek to Belarus.

Anonymous said...

I would not get my palm read! Just let it fall where it may. Scary.

Angus said...

Particularly by a lady in a voluminous scarlet house coat and fez.

VirginiaC said...

I'm with Kari above....I would place a quick call just to check in with the old farmer. Tell him his star is working well and that you hope he is okay.
He may have forgotten how to use the phone....better safe than sorry...I would give him a call to put my mind at ease. Now I'm worried about him.

Anonymous said...

Yogi and I worry about the old Farmer as well. We hope things are good with his travels.
We Love waking up to your blog each day. (always the first thing we read)
Thank You from Deepest Ohio,
Yogi & his Mom