A week ago who would have thought the Manhattanites would be talking about balloons ? Come to that, who would have thought that balloons could be so big or their ancillary systems so complex ? One of the Manhattanites says ( with what might pass for authority ) ' It was 200 feet high. That's the height of a twenty storey building '. Surely, that must be way up there in the category of statements you never thought you'd hear .
Saturday morning and the shore is busy. Sophie heads off across the dunes but then pauses and looks over her shoulder to make sure I'm keeping up. Even the bravest of girls like to know there's backup close at hand when faced with a beach full of runners heading towards her. A few words of encouragement and she's off again.
'The Font' comments on the signage on the van in front of us. I guess there was a time when all joiners doubled as undertakers. Now it seems an odd combination - fitted kitchens and coffins.
There's a parking space in the small medieval street that runs down to the ruins of the castle. We nearly bought a house here once but backed away when we found the street acts as a funnel for the wind that blows in off the North sea. Scotland is windy at the best of times. Live in a street that funnels the gales and you'll be forever bent double battling the elements on your way home.
This morning it's the turn of the ' Where William met Catherine cafe ' for a coffee and a bacon roll. Sophie is well known here and is greeted by name and given an oatcake. It's coming on six months since we left France. At one stage we were worried that Sophie might find it difficult adjusting to her new life. How wrong can you be ?
Outside the cathedral ruins a 60's era Morris Minor. No seatbelts, wind up windows, atrocious build quality and steering that had only a distant relationship with the direction you wanted it to go. How did any of us survive driving in these things ? The student owner probably thinks it's mega-cool.
14 comments:
Well, it kind of looks mega-cool, if only I hadn't read your commentary first. If I mentally strip off the fenders, it starts to look at bit like an old VW Beetle. I wonder if it might have provided some of the inspiration?
I was remembering only the other day that the father of a friend from primary school in my Highland village was a joiner and undertaker. They lived just opposite us but as a child I was never aware of "traffic" going in and out. He made a lovely bookcases for our house.
Dreadful to drive maybe, but at least the cars of yesteryear had style, hideous or otherwise. Today's cars all look the same. Lucky Sophie, to have that wide expanse of beach, a great place to stretch the legs and the lungs.
It's been most enjoyable following Sophie happily adapting to her new, and windier, surroundings. I thought of the beach at St Andrews this morning when I heard of the death of 'Chariots of Fire' director Hugh Hudson.
I guess a Manhattanite ought to know all abut high buildings comparisons!
Cheers, Gail.
They were later than VWs I think.
Slivers of shortbread, oatcakes, and the share of a bacon roll have all helped Sophie adjust to her new life. Mustn't forget the sausages too - it's just the failed quest for the perfect croissant that had made the move 99.9% perfect! There is the advantage of perfect PON weather too.
Sometimes I wonder how they are all getting on in your little village in France Profonde. I miss the colourful characters, though know that Scotland is altogether much more dour, including it's inhabitants.
Hari OM
My sister's first car was a MM Traveller - the one with barn door opening and wooden panels at the back. She still says it was the best car she ever had... and we had lots of adventures in it! YAM xx
We briefly owned a 1956 Morris Minor, with an engine about the size of a toaster....we sold it to a friend, who put a Datsun 240Z engine in it. We used to see it zooming around Palo Alto.
A car with character!
Sophie is at home again.
As long as Sophie has her people, her morning walks and morning treats, life is good. The reflection from the van on the hood of your car is cool, too.
Angus, I love the photo of Sophie looking over her shoulder to make sure you are close behind her.
A friend of a friend has a son who is at St Andrews University. I’ve been to the area, friend has not. She asked what it is like. Very windy was my reply
I had a boyfriend in 1971 who had 3 Morris Minors. It took two 'parts cars' to keep one running. They all ended up as junk!
In the early 70s I had a fairly elderly Mini.UNfortunately it only had 2 doors, so we traded it for a 4 door after we married. To stop the motor overheating in summer I would take out the front grill. It looked like it'd lost its dentures, but the real advantage was that people treated you with caution, as they presumed you'd pranged it! It was also a manual gearshift and gave me Tennis elbow at one point. Gosh, those were the days. I knew how to change a tyre, adjust the spark plugs, spray the Distributor with CRC, and generally 'hear' what the motor was sounding like. Nowdays all I have to do is plug in to the powerpoint at night. Never do self servicing! Is it progress? Well, the car virtually runs itself, but I don't feel I'm in control of much, I'm at the mercy of computer chips.
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