Monday, August 28, 2017

It all went swimmingly.


The time of year when Paris based diplomats start to pack up their summer homes in the country and think about heading back North. A time of year when invites to '' we must see you before we go " gatherings abound. Angus who has spent a lifetime making small talk would quite happily avoid them all. He is told that this is 'standoffish'.


At one gathering there's a Fish and Chip van ( a practical way to feed the guests and cut down on the washing up) and Medieval Troubadours as entertainment. Purists might wonder if tricorn hats are medieval but it's the thought that counts.  Half a dozen inflatable pink flamingos add an additional element of sophistication.


The Medieval Troubadours consist of two drummers, a man playing a penny whistle, a juggler and a young lady dressed as Gypsy Rose Lee . The young lady dances round in what might , or might not, be a lascivious manner or she may simply have a sore foot. Through the performance the young lady and the juggler cast what Barbara Cartland would have described as 'longing glances' at each other . They seem keen to get the performance over and done with as quickly as possible. As a finale the juggler produces two crescent shaped blades that he twirls distractedly above his head in a manner very small children might find spell binding. While the guests clap and the two drummers and the penny pipe player take a bow the juggler and the lascivious dancer skip away, hand in hand, into the shrubbery. Very French.


Along the lane the plane trees have shed all their bark on the side that faces the Autan wind.


Loic the gardener has returned , refreshed and relaxed from his trip to Narbonne Plage. He is well. His mother is well. In fact everything has worked out swimmingly. This morning he blows leaves into piles. The PONs follow along behind , unpiling.

Just when you think you've seen it all : http://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2017/08/26/546049293/whats-making-these-dogs-in-mumbai-turn-blue

And a sad note. There aren't a huge number of PONs in the world and even fewer who appear in blogs. One brave fellow, Edward in Atlanta, has run ahead on the next part of his journey. A home without a PON is a strangely quiet place. We know exactly what Edwards family must be feeling. He was a family fellow.  Do pop by if you have the chance : http://fromthehouseofedward.blogspot.fr/

20 comments:

WFT Nobby said...

So sorry to read about Edward.
As for a gathering with fish and chips, inflatable flamingoes and amorous medieval troubaours - the idea of Parisian sophistication is dealt another blow...
Cheers, Gail.

Coppa's girl said...

Such very sad news about Edward, he was such a beautiful dog.
Parisian sophistication indeed.....but were the purveyors of the fish and chips English? Or have we more words in common, in English and French, than I realised?
Glad Loic enjoyed his holiday.

Anonymous said...

So very saddened to hear about Edward. As ever with news such as this, Merlin is resolved to a few days of the extra squidges.
x

Beau and Mom said...

So sad about Edward, it looks like I missed reading another beautiful blog. My heart breaks for their loss.
I'm so happy all has gone well with Loric and family. I'm sure Bob and Sophie are happy to have him back and to help him with the yard work.

Taste of France said...

What's with the red boxing gloves on the cod?
We had some medieval troubadours as well. The lead man, a drummer with sleeve tattoos, was Irish, and all the songs were very Celtic, sung by the two others with strong French accents. Interesting. I wonder what they do off-season.

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari OM
... I am so sorry to hear of Edward just at the time of his passing - I would have loved to have known him longer.

As for pink flamingoes of the inflatable species? Speechless. YAM xx

Yamini MacLean said...

..oh, and welcome home Loic!!!

Swan said...

Standoffish sounds good to me if that's the entertainment! "Cod-en-Bleu"?

Heda said...

So pleased that Loic enjoyed his holiday but just a tad disappointed that he is no longer wearing his holiday clothes.

BaileyBobSouthernDog said...

My heart breaks for Edwards family

10NISNE1 said...

Prayers said for Edward and his family.

Charlotte said...

Have followed Edward for years. He was so handsome. I was in love with him. Loved reading what was written about and seeing pictures of him. He will be missed.
Feel so sorry for the family for their lost of him.
Praying for them.

Angus said...

Definitely English. A very profitable little niche business . The French think fish and chips a l'anglaise are great fun. The pun on cordon bleu is fun.

Unknown said...

The inflatable flamingoes undoubtedly add a touch of class to the curious entertainment.
Edward will be dearly missed. He was a grand fellow.

Coppa's girl said...

Which newspapers did they wrap them in? Salt and vinegar to go? Pickled onions on the side?

Bella Roxy & Macdui said...

Cod-en-bleu out of a truck. Brought a smile this morning.

Beau and Mom said...

What dog blogs do you follow? They add so much to my day... I need more please

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

They are called "food trucks" here in the US, and you see them around DC and Baltimore. They used to just sell crappy hot-dogs, or if you were lucky, a passable gyro. Today they serve everything from high-end cupcakes to Korean BBQ and pulled pork tacos - And I guess fish and chips too!

I am sorry to hear the news about Edward. His loss is shared by many like you and I here in the blogging world that felt like we knew him. He will be greatly missed!!

Unknown said...

I especially like (besides Bob and Sophie, of course) From the House of Edward, Bouncing Bertie’s Blog at http://bouncingbertie.blogspot.com, and Life at Golden Pines at http://lifeatgoldenpines.blogspot.com. Bertie’s blog also has side bar links to many other fine dog blogs that I’m sure you would enjoy.

Beau and Mom said...

Thanks so Very Much! I will check them all out this morning.