Thursday, December 31, 2020

Bright and clear.

The French weather forecast predicts strong winds, grey skies and snow. It turns out to be a bright, clear morning with one of those arctic winds that always manages to find the gap between your scarf and the back of your neck.

And so another year comes to and end. Where did it go ? Here in the village the man with anger management issues has come to blows with the German billionaires builder. Monsieur and Madame Bay have been spending much more time at their bungalow on the edge of the village. Monsieur Bay has been having some health issues and Madame Bays eyesight has, almost, led her to give up driving the ' Wild Child' voiturette. The old mayor has retired and passed on the baton to the tile fitter who works bizarre 'nocturnal' hours. The church, locked up for most of this last year, continues to watch over the churchyards comings and goings .  The swaying Jesus no longer sways. Sophie remains on savaging terms with Woolly Mammoth. The Old Farmer is planning a trip in the motor home with his lady friend for his 89th birthday in February. 

On our start of day walk we wave at three passing farmers in their white vans ( two Peugeots and a Renault ), the young garagiste in his 1990's era BMW  with a baby seat in the back, and the old mayor who is on his way to pick up his wife's extra strength Diazepam from the pharmacy in the neighbouring village. This is a part of the world where you wave at every passing car . 

Hogmanay. Just the two of us. What to do ? Have a pizza by the fire or mark the passing of an 'interesting' 2020 into the sunrise of 2021 in the way we always do ? Angus is all for pizza , rugby re-runs and a good bottle of Pomerol. 'The Font' is of the opinion that 2020 should be remembered and 2021 welcomed more formally. Why let a pandemic interrupt the habits of a lifetime ? The world may be changing but in The Rickety Old Farmhouse Angus will wear a kilt ( it and the sporran are found , after much searching, in a guest bedroom where they were put so they couldn't be lost ), 'The Font' will light the candles and Sophie will doze contentedly under the dining room table until the midnight hour strikes. 

On the witching hour absent friends will be remembered and this will be sung in thanks for the kindness that people have shown us over this last year :https://youtu.be/wPnhaGWBnys

A Happy and especially Healthy New Year to one and all ! May the healers of the world have a good 2021 repairing the damage of recent times.



23 comments:

Penny said...

An armful of healthy good wishes to you, the Font and dear Sophie for the coming year. You definitely have the right spirit and attitude. I toast you and thank you for a wonderful, sanity-restoring blog which never fails to delight.

WFT Nobby said...

For a brief moment I thought the sporran was a new toy for Sophie...
I think it is right and proper that the Scotsman dresses appropriately for Hogmanay, even if celebrations are so restricted. I am in part heartened and in part alarmed to hear that the dauntless Old Farmer is planning a new trip. Wishing him, Madame Bay, the mayors old and new, all the other wonderful characters featuring on this blog, and above all Angus and the 'Font' a Happy and Healthy New Year.
Cheers! Gail.

Taste of France said...

Pizza and Pomerol sound quite nice.
Speaking of reruns of games, I used to get my hair cut at a barber shop. Danny, the barber, did a great job on a Dorothy Hamill wedge. The shop's soundtrack was cassette tapes of radio broadcasts of the state university's football games. They were months or years old, yet, he would stop snipping to listen, with breath held, when big plays were about to happen.
All the best to Sophie, you and the Font. May 2020 not get any competition for worst year ever for a long, long time.

Coppa's girl said...

Wishing you all, at the ROF, Good Health, Peace, and the chance to reunite with loved ones in the coming year. Oh, and that the secret of the refillable yoghurt pot is finally revealed!

Lisa in France said...

The happiest of new years to the residents of the ROF and all the other residents of the village...

Camille said...

Must admit the sporran made me jump with it's beady little eyes. Dottie dog would have a field day with that accessory, even if it cannae crinkle. Thanking you Angus, 'the Font' and Sophie for providing us all a year of calming stories and many smiles. Happy New Year with sincere wishes for a healthy and joyful 2021.

Charlotte said...

Enjoy your evening and may 2021 bring rich blessings for the three of you in your rickety old French farmhouse.

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari OM
hmmmmm... lacks the yellow of Cameron (Eracht).... just quite the balance of Stewart (Appin) Hunting... wonder if Angus is inclined to reveal?

I too have pizza planned - and chai with ginger biscuits. Slainte mhath! See you on the other side. YAM xx

Fay said...

Joyeux Noël et une très bonne santé à tous. /Fay, Tali, James Bone, Eowyn, Rose

rottrover said...

Happy New Year to all of you at the ROF and the village beyond. Thank you for providing a place of consistent calm and humor.

10NISNE1 said...

Happy New Year!!

The Bougalou Bear said...

Thank you for a full year of bringing to us grace and resilience through " nothing ever happens"
To Southwestern France from Southwestern Ontario, Bonne Année et Meilleurs Voeux to all at the ROF and beyond.

Anonymous said...

Many thanks for my daily "fix" visiting your lovely farmhouse and reading about your life with Sophie and The Font in that wonderful little village in France. You've made my days happier. Wishing you and yours all the best in 2021.

The Life of Riley said...

Angus,

Thank you for your blog. In our changing world, enjoying traditions (your kilt reminds me of many NYs celebrations in my younger years with bagpipes, first footing, singing and dancing), noticing the little things each day and living with hope is so very important.

From New Zealand, I wish you, The Font and Sophie good health and happiness for 2021 with live rugby games for you to watch, food treats and non-destructible toys for Sophie and lots of whatever makes "The Font" happiest.

Hailey and Zaphod and their Lady said...

Wishing you a very happy new year.

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

Yes, please wear the kilt. No matter the tedious times, standards must be maintained.
I do hope you got my email!
xx

Bella Roxy & Macdui said...

New Year Greetings. Wishing you the best and certainly a better year!

Poppy Q said...

Happy New Year to you all.

Louise said...

Happy New Year. I miss Bob.

Angus said...

So do I.
I'll let you into a little secret. Every night Angus and Sophie head out into the orchard, where the house lights linger, and visit three trees that mark the final resting place of Sophie's brother and two great uncles. Even though some folk think they've gone , they're still part of a daily routine. Nothing maudlin about this jusr a recognition that a dogs loyalty and trust doesn't disappear.

Angus said...

Hi. Happy New Year to you. Sadly, e-mails are a problem. France Tel have lost my G-Mail accounts twice in the last year - as in lost in an irreplaceable way and all the old data too. What fun.

Angus said...

Having Angus out of the house watching the rugby would make someone happy !

Louise said...

Beautiful, and makes me want to cry for dogs I've never met.