The mother of the man with anger management issues is up early and painting her shutters Cornforth White. The same colour as those at The Rickety Old Farmhouse. I consider asking her why she's decided to paint the woodwork on a rainy day but think better of it. Her husband has recently been diagnosed with something serious. She copes with worry through hyperactivity and feigned cheeriness. For some unconnected reason Wordsworth's line : ''The best portion of a good man's life - his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness " springs to mind.
We spend some time observing the foals and their mothers in the field at the edge of the village. The foals are keen to observe Bob and Sophie. Bob and Sophie are less keen to meet the foals. The brave duo stand behind me as a dozen horses stare at them. The PONs set off for home at a rapid pace. Bob turns from time to time to look back and make sure the horses aren't following us. I suggest that this is not a behavioural pattern associated with a ferocious guard dog. He glances at me briefly as if to say '' Did you see the size of them ? "
Two teenage boys wander along the lane. They come from Paris for two weeks every year to stay with their relations in the village and get away from the big city heat. When they were younger the boys lit fire crackers on the village green and used to tease the PONs as they did wheelies on their bikes over the speed bump by the gate. The sort of things teenage boys do. Sophie has neither forgotten nor forgiven. She throws herself at the gate like a dervish and makes it quite clear they come close at their peril. The two boys sensibly cross to the side of the lane away from the house and eighteen inches of snarling diva.
Just another start to a Saturday in deepest, deepest France profonde. A record of those things too unimportant to go in the family diary but too much part of life to go completely unrecorded.
8 comments:
What a picturesque photo of the field of horses against the grey skies. We are glad that temperatures have cooled slightly for you and the garden gets a watering.
Good on Sophie for scaring the boys away. Poor Bob for being a bit unsettled by the horses. We understand - I too am a bit weary of horses, although they look graceful and elegant, they are quick to nip and kick. We would much rather ruffle a Pons fur.
Have a great weekend.
Julie and Poppy Q
Bob has a realistic approach to risk assessment when it comes to large mammals. Unlike Bertie.
Hari om
Caution the better part of valour for lads, both 4 and 2 legged! YAMxx
A few weeks ago I stopped when a dog had a horse cornered in the field. The horse was clearly upset, and I was able to call the dog to me, another motorist alerted the owner of the horse. It ended well, thankfully, but it clearly may not have. Bob and Sophie are smart to want to keep their distance - As are the two boys!
That was kind of you..it could have ended in injury for one or both of them.
I am fascinated by the first picture, having never seen such a street in a village. Does each house have a back exit? The horse pictures are glorious!
Exactly the same layout as it was 1000 years ago. A line of houses running through the village with a small walled garden behind - the walls at the end being the high defensive ones that could be defended if the village was attacked by brigands. The only entrance the gate at either end and only one entrance to each house.
Thank you for explaining the layout for me. It appears to be working as well today as a 1000 years ago. That truly makes it fascinating!
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