Thursday, September 8, 2016

Reticence.


The last of the ( nearly ) hundred degree days. The itinerant Spanish melon pickers are hard at work. Three trucks move in parallel along the rows of cantaloupes.  The melon pickers throw the fruit into the back of the trucks. When they're full the trucks disappear and the pickers settle down.  Not many Brits or French would be happy doing this vital but unexciting job.


Off to the airport to collect Americans . The PONs no longer come with us to the airport. After the terrorist attack in Nice the car park has been re- arranged. Three rows of large, impenetrable, concrete barriers and a slew of security gates now separate the airport arrivals hall from the public.


To compensate for being left alone a new toy is bought from the ' essential goods for the journey ' shop. The 'indestructible' dog toy lasts for all of three minutes before Sophie removes its nose and the squeaker.


 'Indestructible' clearly has a different meaning in French.


Sophie looks extremely pleased with her handiwork.


Bob is uncertain what to make of the arrival of this unruly flock.

Initial reticence is overcome by a lengthy bout of Throw the Furry Fox followed by some touch rugby.




13 comments:

Kittypup said...

PON translation of 'indestructible is obviously 'challenge'

WFT Nobby said...

I am distraught to think that the long hoped for PON/airport door swooshing video may never now be made...
Cheers! Gail.

Wishfully Thinking said...

I too am upset at this news. Every time I go through Toulouse airport, I look for the PONs. Sad day...

Gail, I accosted a woman at the beach the other day because I thought her dog was Bertie. Apparently, I wasn't the first.

WFT Nobby said...

Probably one of Bertie's relatives!

Taste of France said...

Have you tried human toys? Kids are similarly intent on destroying the indestructible. And the stuffed toys look the same....
A Sophie the Giraffe for the PONs?

Kari said...

Over the years, your description of PON's excitement at the arrivals hall has been of particular delight to me.
So sad we'll never har about it again.

Coppa's girl said...

How sad that we'll never experience the PONs whooshing at the airport doors - something I'm sure we were all looking forwards to.
Sophie should offer her services to the people who make these "indestructible" toys - she'll soon show them just how "destructible" they are ! Good idea to try children's toys - wonder how long they'll last?

ScrapsofMe said...

In the US, stuffed toys for children are treated with fire repellant and have caused bowel blockage in pets that manage to swallow some of the stuffing.

On another note, are you running a B&B for Americans? For some strange reason, I thought the returning students were your offspring who just happened to be going to University in the US. Maybe I am confusing this blog with some other.

Pam, keeper of Bonnie n Kenzie, the wee Scottie girls

Angus said...

At this time of the year we become hosts to friends of the family. Some have returned Stateside for the new semester others need access to a phone and are en route for a year at the Sorbonne or Humboldt or Oxford.

Emm said...

As am I. The PONS chances for Oscar glory, gone with the wind.
Although that second picture of Sophie does have about it a certain quality of "I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille."

Bella Roxy & Macdui said...

Modifying toys is great fun!

BaileyBobSouthernDog said...

Thank you for your reply, as I was confused and concerned about the American invasion in your village!

Auntie LuLu said...

Some companies guarantee toys etc as being indestructible and will replace if they are destroyed. A friend had a Great Dane, indestructible dog bed...they probably got 10 replacements.