Chill in the morning but warm, borderline hot, in the afternoon.
Sophie sunbathes. Bob proudly disports a headless and largely destuffed orange and pink turtle that he's found in the shrub border.
On our way to the cafe for morning coffee we pass a sign in the barbers window. Truly frightening.
The cafe busy. It's retired farmer day. The PONs settle down under table. As if by magic a bowl of water and two oatmeal biscuits arrive. The coffee takes a little longer. Angus reads Le Monde. The PONs feign sleep.
Off to the bakers then back to the car.
An old medieval house, modernised in the 1890's with an art deco front window, falling into gentle neglect. Must have been quite the thing in its day.
Further down the road some one has taken an old shop, removed the glass front, built up the wall and inserted two small windows. These have then been painted red. The proportions aren't right. At least the building is occupied. I read this week that a million flats could be created in Britain if empty shops and storerooms were re-zoned for domestic use. The shop owners, ever hopeful that their section of the high street will come back into fashion, refuse. The councils are happy to take the business rates. Re-zoning would solve the housing problem at a stroke . A couple more years of people moving to online shopping and the property owners might get the picture.
This made me smile : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oapUe8u2Ujs
10 comments:
The medieval center of our city is protected by the Bâtiments de France. "Protected" might not be the correct word. The standards for renovations are so strict (hence expensive) that many owners just leave the buildings empty rather than comply. Others make changes without permits, "en noir," but anybody who buys such places will find they have to restore the place to historical requirements. But life in the Middle Ages doesn't resemble life today. The houses have no outdoor space, and not many people want a living room with a big window right on the street. The authorities haven't yet found a way to protect the historical character while making the buildings desirable and the renovations affordable. As you say, all sides are hoping for retail renaissance to fill up those shopfronts.
There is no doubt about it, your shrub borders are treasure troves that make for a best day ever, as far as Bob is concerned !
Surely the barber isn't seriously offering those hair cuts?
Hari OM
... who wouldn't want a Psycho?... okay, removing tongue from cheek, I second your view re the housing rezoning possibilities and the inability of all involved to see clearly. It's jumper weather up here today too, but at least it's dry. For now. YAM xx
That photo of the café looks very much like the Café du Sport where new owners refused to allow dogs. Did they sensibly have a change of heart?
I hope Gail is okay. Frightful new wildfires breaking out in Montana. A new one started yesterday and has burned 16,000 acres at last count.
Sadly, it's not the Cafe du Sport. The new owners remain dog unfriendly. Thanks for letting us know about the fires in Montana - nothing about it in the papers here.
The grim gentlemen modeling the signature haircuts have an unsettling resemblance to hardened criminals.
Those Signature Haircuts, in addition to being downright scarifying, have a seriously '50s vibe to them. More proof that you are living in a (delightful) time warp --- not a bad idea these days.
I'm glad you've found a new, dog-friendly café.
I love the door and the window. Quality and character seem to be getting lost in the "cookie cutter" homes that are being built here - I wonder what people years from now will think of them? Although I did see photos of a 140 million dollar home the other day in the Hamptons that had the character that only money can buy.
I was late to hear about your Millie. I hope all is better, but I'm sure it was scary.
I hope both you and sweet Millie are having a better day. ❤️
Thank you; Millie is enjoying being even more spoiled than usual so all is well. She goes in for her check-up Friday morning.
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