The day the Tour de France comes through the neighbouring departement. Naturally it rains. Not just any rain but Newfoundland rain - heavy, constant, and unrelenting. The skies so black the solar lights come on. By nine the thunder has started shaking The Rickety Old Farmhouse to its foundations. Bob and Sophie being farm dogs are completely oblivious to it. A little before ten three fire trucks rush along the lane - a modern house at the other end of the village has been hit by lightening and set on fire. At lunchtime the French teacher phones to tell us that she and her husband were asleep in bed when three roof tiles came through the ceiling .
At the cafe under the arcades the beer and absinthe set are glum. Noses pressed against the window. Outside, under the arcades, a foreigner sits reading the paper. At his feet two fluffy, croissant eating, dogs. The local paper has a full page story about a German pilgrim ( Klaus ) whose horse ( Arkan ) has careened through the streets of a local town. Life here moves at a different tempo.
Later the sun comes out, the rain evaporates and we settle down for an evening of heat and humidity. From winter in Newfoundland to summer in Louisiana all in one day. Bob and Sophie remain uniformly enthusiastic.
9 comments:
Weather stands in no PONs way.
It seems the German horse has not been told about the local tempo.
I'm glad the horse was ok
Many years ago I was in the Auvergne when the Tour de France went through. Soon after a black wall of water swept through the village looking and sounding like a speeding freight train. Truly scary. I've never seen or heard anything like it. A true deluge. After your comments, it makes me think that perhaps there is a certain amount of coordination going on with the race and the weather. Glad the PONS are oblivious. Many dogs are very frightened by thunder.
Vancouver Barbara
As I type the Tour de France is on the telly - the time trial stage. I see the clouds in the distance but where the riders are is sun. I have experienced summer in Louisiana - ugh - but yet to have the joy of winter in Newfoundland. Beautiful country you live in!!
My boy Brownie does not like lightning or thunder, or fireworks for that matter...but at least with the fireworks I can turn my jazz music up loud to drown out the sound.
I hope the lightning fire did not cause too much damage to the house at the other end of the village.
There is no shortage of things happening in your little corner of the world. We had our first heavy dust storm of the season last evening. Comes rolling in like a tidal wave.
Awful for horses these inexperienced riders.
WIsh things like runaway horses would make the newspaper here.
Winchester's still basking in sunshine
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