Dealing with depression.

There are thunderstorms about but they're of the clatter rather than bang variety. It does however rain heavily. This curtails the PONs morning walk. Instead of an hour they get twenty rain soaked minutes. 

The Old Farmer finds the wet weather depressing. He deals with depression by doing something. Today, he wanders over to say he's driving up to the vineyard of Gerard Depardieu, the French actor. I assume this is nearby but it turns out to be in Anjou, 500 kilometres away. We give him some money to buy a couple of cases of 'whatever catches your eye'. He says he'll tour the cellars and then turnaround and come straight home. We marvel at the energy of our 85 year old neighbour.

At the Nicolas wine merchant a bottle of Macon-La Roche Vineuse. The salesman with the stutter tells me that Macons have an ascending order of quality : Macon, Macon Superieur, Macon-Villages or Macon followed by a particular village name. The example he's holding out in front of him presumably falls into the last category. His sales technique works.

The storms stop. The PONs chase  scents that have been thrown up by the rain. This can only be done at high speed and with the volume turned up. In the afternoon 'The Font' collects windfalls for plum crumble. Sophie demonstrates great interest in how this is prepared. Bob exudes happiness. Angus has a second glass of the Macon. 

Just another day with dogs in deepest, deepest France profonde.