Friday, March 6, 2015

Not a cloud in the sky.


Not a cloud in the sky. The sun already warm when we set off to the cafe under the arcades. Bob waits in the courtyard ready to leap into the back of the car. Sophie. more demurely, waits outside the front door.


Time for a walk down to the stream. Three deer scamper away as we pass the crossroads . Bob and Sophie, busy sniffing something malodorous in the hedgerows, don't notice. They're concentrating on the job in hand.


Bob discovers frogs sunning themselves by the village pond. They leap into the water with a satisfying 'splosh'. Bob is delighted. Angus has to stop him from following them. Frogs - a sure sign the year is dreaming of summer.


Home to find Aude the chain smoking decoratrice waiting outside the gates in the Womens Cooperative van. She's talking away happily to herself. The fancy kitchen designers are expected here next week to do the 'preparatory' work on the kitchen. Aude will start painting the week after . ' You're lucky to get me between two big jobs ' . We always seem to find work folk in between 'major jobs'. Angus makes a noise that he hopes shows how grateful he is but not so grateful that she decides to raise the price. 

A quiet day in deepest France profonde before the chaos of workmen descends on the Rickety Old Farmhouse.

13 comments:

Julie said...

Has spring finally sprung?

VirginiaC said...

Enjoy the last days of peace and quiet while it lasts... The poor ROF will become "Chateau of Confusion" for the next few weeks, but it will all be worth it in the end.
Wishing you the best with your renovations.
Happy Weekend!!

Robin Larkspur said...

Bonne chance with the decoratrice!

Kari said...

Aude and Mr. Red Pants. A quote from the Bette Davis film, All About Eve, comes to mind : "Fasten your seat belts, it's going to be a bumpy night".

Angus said...

Aude, unlike the other tobacco chewing members of the womens cooperative, is at least willing to talk to Angus !

Angus said...

Merci .

Angus said...

Weeks ? Maybe months ?

Angus said...

We seem to have skipped Spring and gone straight to Summer.

VAMama said...

My youngest son asks to check on Bob and Sophie most afternoons, and we very much enjoy our little break. Thanks so much for this delightful distraction to our ordinary days! What sort of camera do you use to produce such wonderful photographs?

Jake of Florida said...

Since we are in the planning/design stages for a big kitchen (and upstairs bathroom) remodel, and anticipate work will begin in a few months, I expect to learn invaluable lessons from your experiences with Aude and M. Red Pants!!! Spare us no details, OK????

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

Strange, we too, have always found that work folk are between big jobs, but seem to be able to answer our call almost at a moment's notice. However, if starting is no problem, finishing the job sometimes is......
Good luck with the renovation, but we hope you've got copious supplies of tranquilizers and ear plugs close to hand. We still think you need Madame Bay there to oversee things - nothing will get past her, and she'll surely know how to deal with red trousers !

Emm said...

"a sure sign the year is dreaming of summer" -- lovely description. That's a very pretty village pond and wall.

Louise said...

I agree, about the year dreaming of summer. Lovely.

Bob is looking especially wise.