In the village The Anger Management Man and the German Billionaires Builders dispute seems to have cooled and is now merely simmering away. Madame Bay is no longer driving - the 'Wild Child' voiturette relegated to the scrap heap - and is spending more time with her great grandchildren. The electronic system that controls the church bells , installed at great expense, continues to be subject to 'erratic episodes'. This may either be down to the Old Mayor pressing the wrong settings on the control panel or, as he would have us believe, damp effecting the wiring. The new mayor is still settling into his post. The Old Farmer is coming to terms with the unexpected events of Christmas. Loic has had a visit from his sister -this has brought him great joy.
In the orchard the Narcissi are coming into bloom. A full month ahead of their appearance last year. The Anger Management Man thinks that this early flowering is ' Not Normal'.
And, in what has become a blog tradition, a song that magically folds together what has been, what is and what will be . Sung wherever Scots gather tonight : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMFnqj6aFwY
Through it all Sophie has relished having 24/7 human company willing to accompany her on long cross country walks. Today her itinerary includes a visit to the waterfall , some inept minnow fishing and a brisk walk up the hill .This is followed by a restorative doze. Over the last few months she's started to slow down a little. Not really surprising in a lady approaching her ninth birthday. She has made us laugh all day, every day, throughout the year.
The Rickety Old Farmhouse will be a small outlier of Scotland tonight. The long lost sporrans are rediscovered and the kilt brought out. The table will be set and candles lit to welcome in the New Year. This all seems a lot of work for just the two of us but some traditions have their own pandemic defying resiliency. If the skies are clear we shall set up the telescope and drink champagne and look at the stars. The locals will view this behaviour as 'unusual'.
As the New Year approaches may we wish a happy, prosperous and above all healthy 2022 to one and all.
And, in what has become a blog tradition, a song that magically folds together what has been, what is and what will be . Sung wherever Scots gather tonight : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMFnqj6aFwY
19 comments:
Hari OM
Having, on my own blog this week, provided first the full lyrics (Tuesday) then the bagpipe intrumental version (Wed), to now have the two come together as sung by the mighty Dougie, I finally feel the year known as twenty twenty one is truly reaching its completion... sigh...
Slainte mhath, Angus and din halsa to The Font!!! YAM xx
A song what was always sung every New Year during my childhood in New Zealand. We all joined hands. The Scottish heritage spreads far and wide around the world.
Happy New Year to you two. And ear crunches to Sophie, of course. I'm also in New Zealand, and agree, Auld Lang Syne sees out the old year and in the New. There were quite a few Scots as early immigrants in the southern half of the South Island, and until recently Southlanders often had a 'burr' to their Rs. I had a latin teacher who, when she made an error on the board would furiously erase it as she said "As ye werrrre, girrrls, as ye werrrre" Oh, the memories that brings back! (Not all good ones, either!)
May 2022 bring less anxiety and more acceptance, calm and generosity towards those so much less fortunate than we are.
A beautifully put summary of 2021 in the ROF. Here's to good health and more Sophie-induced happiness in the coming year. And perhaps even some travels further afield...
Cheers!
Gail (whose year has been dominated first by Covid and then by dealing with a much loved dog with an unreliable bladder, but which has also contained much joy nonetheless).
Also from New Zealand, where my Scottish neighbours celebrated hogmanay with singing, first footing, kilts, drinks, bag pipes and other traditions in the 70's and 80's (which I still remember every New Year's Eve) I wish you, The Font and Sophie a 2022 that is better than 2021. Happy New Year!
I am glad to know that the sporrans were apparently found without too much trouble this year. I have come to look forward to your New Year's Eve posts, and especially to hearing Auld Lang Syne as it was meant to be sung. It really has been quite a year - it may be that the bad has made us all more appreciative of the good? We just took Charlie for his last afternoon walk of the year, and he was leaping with joy in the cold (I could not quite share his joy!)and now we are getting ready for the traditional Japanese New Year's Eve meal of toshikoshi soba(inelegantly translated as "year-crossing noodles") while drinking champagne with a few pomegranate seeds. This is something you have recommended from time to time, and it has always sounded delightful, but for some reason, pomegranates have always been out of season, until now. Your blog has given me something to look forward to all year, and I wish you and the Font and Sophie, as well as the Old Farmer and the other residents of the village and, of course, tall of those who comment here, a happy and safe 2022. Yoi otoshi o!
One of my Latin teachers used to hurl blackboard dusters at us if we annoyed her too much. These were hefty wooden blocks with a foam duster part. We did learn our Latin verbs, and became very adept at ducking (1970s state secondary in the North of Scotland). One of my grandfather's relatives was among your South Island immigrants. I have no address or names for them now, but I love thinking of this branch of the family in New Zealand. Happy New Year to you from Scotland!
A Happy and healthy New Year to you, the Font and Sophie when it comes! Your blog is my daily read. Nothing like the non-happenings of La France Profonde to set one up for the day. Here in deepest Speyside I can see both Craigellachie and Glen Spey distillery chimneys from my kitchen window and am happy to report that their lums continue to reek.
And out of the blue this was played on France Musique - https://www.facebook.com/USTAAlumni/videos/auld-lang-syne-global-burns-night/1194562597685356/
Perhaps the early blooming Narcissi are sign that next year will be much better? We can but hope.
Inca is twelve now, and after a recent health scare, has started to bounce back again. She's not sure about fishing for minnows, inept or otherwise, but wishes Sophie every success with her continued venture! And many more curly croissant ends.
A very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year to you, The Font, Sophie, your family and all the followers of your blog. Can't wait to see what excitement your little part of France Profonde has in store for us in 2022!
Your blog has always been my first read of the day. And especially during these past two years of lock downs and restrictions its given this frustrated Wayfarer much joy watching life unfold in a quiet part of France profonde. Wishing that lovely PON girl Sophie, her charming family, and fellow commenters all a happy and healthy New Year.
Your blog has always been my first read of the day too and something I eagerly await. May 2022 bring much more joy to all!
Wishing you all the best for 2022.
Happy New Year! I am so glad I found your blog this year, a great addition to my morning reads. A little virtual vicarious adventuring, stay safe, stay well, let us know what the stars reveal.
Thank you for an intriguing daily window into lives on another side of the world. Bonne annee et bonne sante, a tous.
And to close out the year, The Parting Glass, Choral Scholars of University College Dublin,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eisW0skJ9fU
Happy New Year to the 3 of you!
Bonne fin d’année! Wishing all of you the best for 2022.
Thank you so much for sharimg this with us.
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