The Old Farmer and his 'lady friend' set off in the venerable Ford Transit motor home at five in the morning. They have planned an early departure so they can drive through the cool air. Today their goal is Narbonne. Tomorrow they plan to make it to the sea at La Napoule. The sound of slamming doors and the engine wheezing into life at the third attempt gets Angus out of bed. As he wanders downstairs a certain dog appears somewhat surprised that it's already time to be up and about.
The cafe on the square deserted at this early hour. The coffee, indifferent croissant and bowl of water come quickly. A woman smoking a cigarette comes and sits at the table next to us. She coughs repeatedly. Why with a hundred empty tables does she have to choose that one ? Amid her coughing we leave. She might at least put her hand to her mouth to cover it. The pandemic is making Angus impatient with those who are oblivious to good hygiene.
Sophie gets a long walk along the old Roman road on the valley floor. A family of wild boar have been this way during the night. Sophie finds evidence of their passage in the grass verges. What a start to a day !!!
Home to greet 'The Font', have breakfast and then recover a little equanimity by flipping on her back and falling asleep. So starts a Polish Lowland Sheepdogs Monday morning.
12 comments:
I am with you on hygiene issues. While walking to work this morning, I passed three different groups of nursery school kids, all between 3 and 5 and all wearing masks with no problem at all, and then I passed a group of middle-school kids (American), none wearing masks. This really annoyed me, and I have been grumbling "selfish little snowflakes" under my breath every since.
Hari OM
Even before the current high alert, I was always stunned at behaviour such as you describe. Many time I have been sitting somewhere with plenty space around and another comes along and choosed to plonk down almost cheek by jowl. I just don't get it.
Sophie, you were not the only one woken earlier than planned and left slightly 'lagged'... I have one in my care who has no idea which end of the day it is but unfortunately I do. Am heading back to bed now for another hour or two. YAM xx
'Coughs and sneezes spread diseases, catch them in your handkerchief', always wash your hands before preparing or eating food, always wash your hands after using the lavatory. These three were drummed into me as a child and I think have served me in good stead for 70 yrs. I can understand sitting next to you at a table if I were feeling lonely, but if I were smoking/coughing no way! Stay safe.
We think Sophie has had an excellent start to the day, and hope that the little "gifts" left by the wild boar, more than make up for the indifferent croissant.
Agree with sentiments about the lack of good hygiene, and the fact that out of all the empty tables the one next to you is always chosen! Now that tourists are starting to arrive here in droves, we're expecting a spike in virus cases again. Few new arrivals seem to be bothering with masks, gloves, or social distancing.
Permit me to disturb you from your nap, Mlle Sophie, but I urgently need to know, is the 'evidence' of wild boar as exciting as that left behind by badgers?
Toodle pip!
Bertie.
PS Gail is wondering if there is a correlation between quality of croissant and quality of fellow customers at the café?
I, too, have noted that odd seating-choice behavior, especially in movie theaters; many a time I have been seated in a 99.5% empty movie theater only to have someone enter and sit next to me or right in front or back of me. Often I get up and move. So odd...
'Selfish Little Snowflakes ' is not what Angus would have muttered nor woud it have been ' Mothers little darlings '. Venting steam is good for the heart !
There must be something deeply communally psychological in this human trait.
Those old adages are still the best.
Nothing like the piquancy of a wild boar gift.
Both are excellent - as defined by the PON palate.
Great start to the week!
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