Friday, May 11, 2018

One step forwards, two steps back.


An unproductive day. The good news - the curtains look great. The bad news - the Danish chairs are scratched. The delivery men take them away. The Swedish sofa has lost a leg in transit. It too is returned. No sign of the half dozen other things expected. Irate calls are made by Angus - these are met with Kelly Sadler type indifference.

Back in St.Andrews there is a sharp rap at the wee house door. Outside stands a lady in a tweed suit who introduces herself to 'The Font' as a neighbour . '' I'm wondering if you'd join us for a small glass of sherry before our weekly book club. It would be so good if you could ''. This, for those readers unused to life in a Scottish provincial town, is a chance for the locals to get the measure of the 'new' folk.


A gathering of twenty or so towns folks - many current or former teaching staff. The sort of intelligent unassuming people who put paid to the idea that if you're the smartest person in the room you're in the wrong room.  Polite introductions. 'The Font' breaks the ice with the book club crowd by looking out of the window and exclaiming in horror '' Good heavens ! What's that ? ". In the garden is the largest pigeon 'The Font' has ever seen. It's like a plump cat with wings and is fighting an equally large Raven over a fish head that has been dropped on the lawn.


The book club is discussing whether a reformed ( presumably ) murderer can be a Church of Scotland minister. 'The Font' has delivery men to chase so makes suitable excuses to leave but is 'invited' by one of the participants, a lady in a red tartan skirt, to look at a recent discovery in the car park on the corner. She points to a large slab of stone. '' You'll recognize it at once as a fallen orthostat " says the woman in best Miss Jean Brodie accent. If ever we need to consult someone on megalithic architectural terms we've found the right person. The lady in the red tartan skirt is excited because the standing stone has been used as paving slab for the last three centuries and only in the last month has its true purpose been recognized. She is doubly enthused because it's presence here signifies that the site of the cathedral had been 'holy' ground for at least two thousand years before Christianity and the thumb and collar bone of St.Andrews arrived on this rocky outcrop. 


'The Font' sees a book in the supermarket that might be  a more pertinent choice for the book club.



This is lovely and charismatic and follows on from yesterdays link provided by Taste of Francehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRnUKseugag

And being reminded of pilgrims reawakened an ever fond memory and an insight into one of the more unusual moments of our adventures in Europe. Can it really be nearly a decade  since we said goodbye to Digby ?  Not a maudlin thought more a surprise that time passes so quickly : 
https://wilfanddigby.blogspot.fr/2010/05/young-pilgrim-maremma-and-mule.html



19 comments:

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari OM
Indeed; my angel Jade passed the full decade ago, and in moments of quiet distraction, it can feel as if yesterday, her nose upon mine as she surrendered. The traveller blessed your ground and your memory, made it a little easier. It's what angels do.

Angels also grow from arid ground; I shall add this book to my list - forgiveness and redemption are high principles no matter how the faith is expressed.

Quite how much can be forgiven for furniture faux-pas lies firmly with the Font and the Spouse! YAM xx

Angus said...

The intelligent gentleman behind the counter at Toppings, the remarkable little independent bookstore , informs 'The Font' that the book is well worth reading being exceptionally well written and wide ranging despite the apparent subject matter. Not all books receive warrant such a positive review.

Taste of France said...

Orthostat. A new addition to the vocabulary! Thanks!

Angus said...

Live in a Scottish coastal town and you too can throw megalithic architectural terms into the conversation !

Yamini MacLean said...

...thanks Angus. Just popped back to say had researched it and found several reviews which would concur with that provided the Font! It shall be purchased forthwith... Yxx

Coppa's girl said...

It is a surprise that ten years have passed since you lost Digby. I found your blog just after you lost him, but read your post of his passing. Compassion, and a caring vet - even now it moves me to tears, and I have never forgotten the pilgrim and his mule.
Mystifying that a sofa can lose a leg in transit ! How infuriating that 'The Font' will now have to wait around for replacements, or make another journey. It also means the lowering of culinary standards whilst she's away again !

WFT Nobby said...

Over the years you have had many visitors from the USA and always kept up the daily blog post. Congratulations! I currently have four talkative American friends in my normally quiet house and can barely find time even to read my very favourite blog! Cheers, Gail.

Angus said...

Yes, it means another trip back next week. This time 3 days are pencilled in to make sure that we're not tied to one particular delivery date. Today is the day for Angus to do battle with the fancy furniture store that supplied the Danish chairs. The order was placed in December and no less than five scheduled delivery dates passed - on the sixth the goods were faulty.

Lisa in Tokyo said...

I can't possibly read the post about Digby again, as I'm sure I'd burst into tears again sitting here at my desk. It is hard to believe it's been that long. I had only started reading your blog a short time before, after Cherry joined us as a pup (I recently realized she is already 9, which also came as a big shock). I had first found an entry in your blog from Italy, when I was searching for advice on whether or not to cut her bangs. My husband was "pro" and I was "con," until I found an entry where you explained that your PONs were happier when they can see. I am very glad I found that entry, not only because you were right about the bangs but because it led me to follow all of your subsequent adventures. Cherry is also afraid of thunder.

Angus said...

PON purists don't like owners who cut the hair over the eyes but you'd have to admit it makes life much easier for the owner if they can see what's coming. As for Digby no need to be sad. You know a dog has done his job well when you smile whenever you hear his name. 9 is a special age for a PON - the full integration into the family stage otherwise known as they control everything stage - enjoy it and the thunder antics.

Sheila said...

Like Coppa's girl, I've never forgetten that story of the pilgrim and also the fact that Wilf lies protected from the elements in the same way.

Too bad your tenants will not have read your blog posts describing what you and 'The Font' have gone through in order to provide them a wonderful place to live. Lets hope they are very respectful of the wee house.

Angus said...

Guess we're learning that as firms move from bricks and mortar retailing to an online product they don't plan for things going wrong. When they do the whole edifice of service comes tumbling down. Mark you working in some call centres can hardly be conducive to customer service.

Anonymous said...

I remember your beautiful boy as well...hugs to you & the Font.
Pam in NH

10NISNE1 said...

I can't believe it's been almost a decade! I had just started reading your blog and quickly fell in love with Wilf and Digby. That day started by learning beautiful Digby had passed away and by early afternoon my beloved dog Jake unexpectedly had also died. Heartbreaking!

marci said...

I rarely comment, strange talking to imaginary friends I guess? I began following you shortly before Digby passed and I so remember that post because I was close to making that decision for one of mine. And I had the conversation this morning with my exterminator about how dearly God loves our precious pets and my belief that there is a reason dog is God spelled backward. How much sweeter life is because of them! I also love the Font's choice for the book club-I think we would surely be best friends! My Toby and Bogie are great fans of Bob and Sophie! Bless you!

causer659 said...

Well Digby brought a tear to my eye. Too soon we must part with out beloved friends. They are so much more than "pets".

Angus said...

And 2 years later, almost to the day, his brother joined him. We have a wonderful picture of the brother which hangs above 'The Fonts' desk as a daily reminder of never changing mischief!

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

Such a shock to remember how very much Digby looked like Edward.
Shed tears over Edward again last night.

Angus said...

Quite right too. Shedding tears over a family fellow like Edward is entirely justified.