Sunday, June 3, 2018

Mushy strawberries.



After overnight storms the day dawns bright and fair. We head off down the hill. Sophie in the lead, Bob close behind. We pass the German billionaire who's parking a vintage drop head Mercedes in his new three storey garage. We wave. He's wearing a mustard polo neck and a pair of maroon knee bib overalls. An unusual combination. A kind of romper suit for adults. Oshkosh by Gosh used to make something similar for two year olds. Three young horses - two chesnut, one white - have escaped from their paddock and are standing in the middle of the driveway that snakes up to the chateau. He can't get them to move so is having to park below and walk up the hill. The horses  exude health and  happiness - the billionaire less so.

The Senegalese melon pickers drive by. Two cars in front, then a gap and three slower moving cars behind. We stand on the verge, the PONs held firmly by their collars. The melon pickers have a somewhat cavalier approach to lane markings.

Cherries make it to the market.


As do the first fresh figs of the season.


Green tomatoes a sure sign that high summer is here.


The strawberries are finally gone. Not that this is any great loss. They were of poor quality this year - too easy to bruise. An apologetic sign says that the wet stormy weather has 'rendered them fragile'. Customers are told they should eat them as soon as possible after purchase.


On our way back from the cafe we stop off at the strawberry farm. The owner has saved five punnets of freshly picked Gariguettes. The last that she'll pick before switching over to a different variety. Yesterdays have already gone soft and mushy. What is it about thundery weather that makes food go off so quickly ?


Seven am and the PONs day is already shaping up to be an absolute barnstormer.



And a special thank you to a friend in DC for this take on Trade policy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOR38552MJA&feature=youtu.be

And do plants talk to each other ? : https://nautil.us/issue/59/connections/learning-to-speak-shrub-rp


9 comments:

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari OM
Humidity. Ideal environment for growth of destructive enzymes. Fruit and humans both do not fare well in humidity. Happy storming, Bob and Sophie whether in the barn or the ROF! YAM xx

Angus said...

Here we are in June and there's a distinct lack of sunshine - just a broiling cloud trapped heat. Angus is quite pleased to be heading back to Scotland next week to shift furniture.

Coppa's girl said...

Humid here after overnight storms, and huge puddles everywhere.
I have just bought a couple of new season nectarines and they would make excellent cricket balls ! The peaches were the same and still green in places. Maybe not a good year for fruit, wherever it's grown?
Oh - wowee - a barnstormer of a day - can PON life get any better - Inca will be so jealous !

Angus said...

Peaches here would be classed as lethal weapons. Hard as rocks. This morning there's a wind that would caution any sailor to head into port as soon as possible. We shall see what happens.

WFT Nobby said...

Still smiling at the image of the Osh Kosh dungaree clad German billionaire frustrated by the stubborn young horses.
Cheers, Gail.

Sharon said...

Ha Ha Ha. I don't think the USA or anyone else can play the role of victim. We are all to blame.

Sharon from Canada

Emm said...

Just catching up after a week of no wifi. I passed through Toulouse airport the other day, didn't see any PONs operating the electronic doors.
The story about the wee Scottish grandmother and her fisher family's house has me sniffling, but happily.

Angus said...

Hope you weren't caught in the hour long immigration queue !

Emm said...

No, went through that in Paris, but finding my suitcase provided a dicey few moments. All's well, though.