That time of the year when nature rushes into life. Shoots sprouting in the garden, daffodils in the hedgerows. A bit of a wind as we head down into the valley but by the time we're climbing back up the hill towards home the clouds drift away and the sun comes out. Despite my companion having had a major trim she still manages to look windswept.
On the ox track next to The Rickety Old Farmhouse the shrubs are coming into bloom.
The matron of the old folks home stops her car to say 'Bonjour' to Sophie. She tells me her brother, who lives at the other end of the village, has been into hospital for an operation. ' He's been told to walk ten kilometres a day and take up Pilates '. Not sure how to reply I mutter ' Well done him '. This seems to satisfy her. I can't help but notice that the matron has had a makeover. Her hair which used to be apologetically blonde has taken on a Holywood Starlet colour eight or ten shades lighter . She is also wearing a most unmatronly jacket that appears to be some form of artificial fur. I assume it's artificial as it's blue .
All the Christmas decorations have now been taken down with the exception of a single string of red and green lights which continue to flash happily away in the village hall windows.
So starts our Tuesday in a small village in deepest, deepest France profonde. Village checked for C-A-T-S, Sophie returns to The Rickety Old Farmhouse for a nap in the morning sun.
The French frozen food company is having a ' Crazy American' season . I wonder how many Americans would recognize their offerings . Potato donuts are new to me :https://www.picard.fr/rayons/crazy-america
7 comments:
Pastrami waffle?? Fortunately or unfortunately, I have a feeling none of these tempting treats will make it to our local Tokyo Picard. I am actually a bit worried about our local Picard, as almost everything they carry is imported from Europe and that may become more difficult without access to Russian airspace. Already, my Amazon order for sunflower oil from Italy was suddenly canceled this morning. At the beginning of the pandemic, we were stocking up on paper goods, this time it may be pasta. And dog food - I just realized that Charlie's Royal Canin kibble comes from France. In any event, I can look forward to seeing your wisteria vines in full bloom in a couple of months.
I'd lay in 3 months of Royal Canin. I see that Flights from Europe to Tokyo are now being rerouted via Anchorage for refuelling . London - Tokyo used to be eleven and a bit hours now ANA is saying the flight time will be closer to 18. With oil prices high ( and heading North ) shipping charges are going to be eye watering.
Fashion-wise, the matron might give Mme Bay a run for her money?
There was a queue yesterday to buy petrol at the Sainsbury's pumps. At £1.47 a litre, the cheapest in town. I suspect folk are expecting more price rises in the coming days.
Angus, you should have volunteered Sophie to accompany the Matron's brother on his 10 km daily walk! Think of all the new places she could take him. All he needs is a packet of Jaffa cakes and they're away!
Somehow I can't see many of those "delectable" Picard items titillating the palette of the inhabitants of your little village of 67 souls, let alone the whole of America.
I filled up with petrol last week and a tankful was 10€ more than last time, which was way before Christmas! I'm wondering if I should just keep the tank topped up, but then I'm not planning on going far.
Hari Om
Noting Angus' response above, is it too much to hope that a silver lining to all this might be a surge in EV usage and the infrastructure to support it?... Or perhaps folk will again discover the merit of walking/cycling anywhere that is within five miles? YAM xx
Such a pretty lady in such a pretty place. Blond in a blue fur coat, sounds like she is in love. Pastrami waffles - not something I have ever seen.
Hello America's "interesting" choices provide a (disturbing) window into what France seems to think Americans eat!
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