The man at the vegetable stall in the market asks if I'm Dutch. To be mistaken for something other than British surely a sign that my French accent is improving ?
While I'm shopping some chump parks his Renault Clio a full two inches away from the Skodas driver side doors. This either means waiting for him to return or getting into the car from the passenger side. There are two ways of getting into the drivers seat. A forward diving motion or a reverse manoeuvre around the steering wheel. Neither elegant. 'The font' returns as I'm clambering, backwards, knees in face, over the gear lever. '' Angus. What are you doing ? ". Angus is reminded that the secret to domestic harmony is the ability to bite ones tongue.
Bob and Sophie watch on silently from their position behind the dog guard. Bob has a look of profound interest on his face. ' Can we do this every time we go shopping ? '
Loic the gardener arrives. He's supposed to come on Saturday morning but is a little 'confused' and shows up early. He spends the morning happily blowing the fallen leaves into piles. Bob and Sophie are greatly taken with the leaf piles. They don't remain piles for very long. Loic takes this acrobatic enthusiasm with Sisyphean good grace.
In the afternoon the boiler service agent shows up. ' The font ' has discovered that under French law house insurance is invalid if the heating boiler isn't serviced every year. The man services the boiler but informs us he can't clean the extract pipe to the chimney. That requires a specialist.'' See you next year " he says as he disappears down the drive.
The little wrens that live in the wisteria by the front door are about to fly the nest. We know this because there was much chirruping at four am. One brave little fellow settled on the door handle to sing his heart out. He was joined, less melodiously, by two shaggy dogs. And to think there are some folks who think the countryside is quiet.
