Friday, January 18, 2019

Impossible they say !


The Polish plumbers are running ahead of schedule. On our morning walk Piotr the team leader wanders over and informs me " I hope we make our work less than three weeks ! Impossible they say ! But no !"  He laughs and lights another cigarette. The Polish plumbers give Bob an ear tickle. Sophie looks at them warily and emits a small, almost imperceptible, grumble from somewhere deep inside. The plumbers back away. This old fashioned girl isn't going to be tickled by strange plumbers before breakfast. There is such a thing as standards. She runs ahead in search of some badger poo.

The electronic timer that regulates the bell chimes in the  church belfry has gone wrong again. It rings maniacally and fitfully through the night. The mayor shows up with a man in a white van. The ringing becomes frantic for ten or so minutes. Then silence. They've disconnected the power. The mayor and the chime engineer will be back tomorrow.


Christmas pastries and chocolates still not selling in the little  local supermarket. Perhaps the French purchase of sugary things was abnormally low this Christmas ?


Flowers also seem to be selling slowly. 


After a hectic morning Sophie settles down for some serious Furry Fox savaging. She makes a variety of ferocious yodel like noises as she does so. A sure sign of happiness.


A poem that dog owners will understand written and read by a lady who ventured on 'that' journey yesterday : 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioTvAtNk5kg&list=PL668E92F8EA6CF22E

21 comments:

Lisa in Tokyo said...

This latest iteration of Furry Fox is rather elegant!

Angus said...

It is also remarkably well made and despite Sophie's best efforts remains in one piece

Emm said...

Thank you for including Mary Oliver. Her work has been companion to many these years.

Taste of France said...

At least galettes des rois date only from Jan. 6, not all the way to Christmas. But still, French pastries are best fresh. Your standards seem pretty high, judging by the bakery photos.

Poppy Q said...

I have heard that dogs like to eat cat poo because it has such high levels of protein in it - possibly the same with badger poo?

I noticed our supermarkets did not stock a lot of Christmas items this year - I think it is the impact of more people trying to have a healthier lifestyle. Are your Easter things out yet? Ours start selling Easter Buns on December 27th each year.

Please give the Pons a pat from me.

WFT Nobby said...

Do the Polish plumbers recognise the PONs as compatriots, I wonder?
Furry Fox has quite a long suffering expression!

Angus said...

Nothing Eastery - yet.

Angus said...

Bob might. Sophie certainly not. She's more of a Monaco PON.

Angus said...

they might still be on display at the end of the month. The Christmas holly arrangements by the entrance are now decidedly unfestive.

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari OM
wonderful poem and bravo for the plumbers - could do with some Polish blokes here, but the wee West Coast Bonny Land doesn't seem to attract them. YAM xx

Angus said...

A wonderful way with words.

sillygirl said...

If that plumber had had a bit of croissant in his hand I think Sophie would have been his "friend for life".

Pam in NH said...

Godspeed Mary...........love her work.
Monaco PON indeed. To know Sophie's quirks is to love her, and Bob's adorable oafishness.
How is the cleaner, okay I hope? Big house, 2 PONs, crashed car. Happy & good cleaners are hard to find.
I'd love one for myself....maybe Polish.

Angus said...

The cleaning lady has taken it well. The Font took her out for a coffee and a chat. She's in her early 60's. A widow and with a 30 year old son with a chronic condition that keeps him bedbound. She is a hard worker and brave. We like her and are mortified about the 'prang'.

Angus said...

Of course if you really want the quickest way to a girls heart then nothing beats Jaffa Cakes.

Angus said...

There is the small matter of Brexit which does little to appeal to hard workers of any nationality.

Bella Roxy & Macdui said...

We've had hot cross buns and Easter eggs in the shops since Boxing Day.

50 and counting said...

Christmas baked goods were sporadic here. The mass produced stuff was and is readily available. The inshop produced baked goods were iffy. Some sold out super fast, others lingered.

Valentine's and Easter chocolate, readily available.

liparifam said...

Oh, how I love "Dog Songs"; I weep the entire time I am reading...

Yamini MacLean said...

...heheh... I actually typed very nearly the same as this but decided to retract it - thanks for taking it up! Yxx

Pam in NH said...

Oh that's good to hear...leave it to the Font to smooth everyone's feathers.
She knows exactly what to do...she's "The Font"!
Your cleaning lady is someone to be admired in so many ways. Sadly,they don't make many like her anymore.
One more question: who drove when they went for coffee? :-)