Yesterday started off dry but a storm soon barged in from the Bay of Biscay. By mid morning the rain was torrential and the sky dark. The view from the window was like looking at a power shower in a bathroom with the lights off. Sophie and her master take brisk round the village walks whenever the rain eases. Sophie would like to dawdle and sniff the exotic scents that the rain is throwing up. She is hurried along.
The rain had a silver lining. Fifty or so maskless hunters had gathered in the village hall before heading off to cull the deer in the valley. After forty five minutes of downpour, and with no sign of it letting up, the hunters drift away. The valley deer are spared for another day.
Today, the rain has gone and the skies are again clear. There's a light frost which glistens in the start of day sun. In the village we note that all the Christmas decorations are still in place. No taking them down on 12th night here. Angus wonders if the new mayors 'relaxed' attitude to such things will see them twinkling away 1) next week or 2) next month.
The post lady stops to tell me that this may be the last delivery she makes for a few days. The virus has arrived in the small market town. It seems the school may have to close until the teachers recover . She's getting ready to take time off so she can look after her three little ones. She's less worried about her mother in the old folks home. ' She's had three jabs so she should be alright'. Today , for the first time, the post lady is wearing a mask. Or, to be more precise, she has a blue mask dangling from one ear. 'I put it on if I have to go inside to deliver a parcel' she says with studied certainty.
6 comments:
Good morning. I hope you all have a better day
Poor Sophie - no time to stand and sniff - what's the point in all those walks if a girl can't bury her nose in some obnoxious aroma? Inca sympathises.
As so often seems to happen, we are about 12 hours behind the same weather patterns that you have. High winds, rain early evening and overnight. Heavy grey skies this morning and a threat of more rain on the horizon. Neither Inca nor I feel inclined to walk when it looks so threatening. Possibly a few games with the tennis ball that has mysteriously appeared in the living room? Until this morning we have been spoiled with chilly but sunny days, now at least it's much warmer.
I envy many things about life in la France profonde, but not the chasseurs. The sleep article was fascinating. I'd encountered the first and second sleeps in Pepys' diaries.
I fear the deer will not be resting easy for long.
Hari OM
Two very long but very absorbing articles today, Angus - very enjoyable, ta. And I will match your 'power shower' with 'washing machine' conditions! YAM xx
Spared from the worst of the storm, the deer are spared for the day, will the health of the village be spared from the impending storm, so many layers of meaning, so well written. And such a cute little girl.
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