Thursday, January 22, 2015

An unexpected appearance.

One of those January days that can't make up its mind between sunny and dry and grey and drizzly. Bob sits by the front gate watching the non-existent activity in the village. He deigns to join us for lunch but is soon scratching  at the front door to be let out.  Sophie spends her day trying to remove the head from the demonic bird tweet toy.
In the afternoon we wander over to the village pond. Bob christens the sixteenth century pottery kiln. Sophie hunts for voles. In this she is remarkably unsuccessful, stealth not being a PON trait.

The Old Farmer has once again switched on his array of Christmas lights . Above them the star continues to gleam away. Were it not for the abseiling Father Christmases it could best be described as a rural version of Coney Island. 'The Font' wonders if the temporary shut down in the illuminations was anything to do with the appearance in the village of a van from the electric utility .
For some reason ( mice ? ) the local cats have started to congregate in the barn. This development has a bracing effect on the PON's. On our late evening comfort walk they disappear out of the door, howling, into the darkness. The duo are found at the foot of an acacia tree barking at a small white cat in its upper branches. The cat sensibly remains completely still. After half an hour the PON's come inside but do not immediately settle.

Last night in the Salle des Fetes the English teacher from the Lycee sets up a television. Forty or so students and parents show up to watch the Eichmann Story. Martin Freeman with his unusual ( some would say grating ) American accent and Anthony LaPaglia. Standing room only. In deepest France profonde there are still some who take their families education seriously. The crowds arrive and depart decorously. This interest in education and appreciation for teachers  rather like Scotland fifty years ago.

Of seasonal interest ? http://www.popsci.com/why-do-most-people-usually-sneeze-twos-or-threes-and-fours

6 comments:

WFT Nobby said...

Love the side-by-side photo of the PONs.
Interesting comment about Scotland fifty years ago. As a child in England I was always brought up with the idea that the Scots had a culture of taking education more seriously than the English. This seems to me still to be true in the NW Highlands, but I'm not so sure about some other parts of the country.
Cheers, Gail.

Angus said...

Perhaps it was because such a small country had so many universities - Aberdeen, Glasgow, Edinburgh and St.Andrews - but education always seemed to have a special place in the Scots makeup. As you say it seems to have changed.

Julie said...

Looks a little less muddy today ?

easyweimaraner said...

your PON-traits look great and Chapeau for this english teacher who had a great idea to educate the peeps in your area.
Easy Rider

Duke and Petite-Chose at 2G said...

In the side-by-side photo, the happy duo look as though they are plotting their next mischief, and hope that you won't find out. And Bob is definitely acting as look-out on the last one ! What are they going to get up to?

Louise said...

A bracing effect. Haha

Bob looks very protective and like a proud brother in the photos today.