Sunday, May 1, 2011

Simple contentment.

No workmen, no visitors, no family, no noise. Just Wilf, 'the font' and yours truly. Oh, and for a couple of hours Loic, the bifocaled gardener, who came along to dig up the bulbs I'd recently planted. An unintended consequence of asking him to do some weeding. In the supermarket the sudden appearance of rack upon rack of Lily of the Valley all packaged up and priced at €3.60 a stem. Must be a French thing.

Six in the evening and we set off on Wilfs early evening walk. While the family fellow sniffs around in the flower beds, we sit on a bench in the shade of the chesnut tree. I'm wearing my gardening outfit. A fishing hat, a pair of blue Abercrombie and Fitch cargo pants and a sweat shirt that says Stanford Rugby. Items definitely designed for a younger generation but saved from being prematurely discarded by the cost centres. Despite their snugness no point in throwing out perfectly good clothing. ' The font ' is rather more upmarket and sporting a broad brimmed sun hat . " Just as well no one can see us sitting here looking like two dotty ninety year olds " says ' the font ' . At that very moment the bad tempered villager who dislikes foreigners drives past in his new Renault Scenic. We giggle. Then the mayor passes in his ancient Peugeot. We giggle again. And so for twenty minutes the usually deserted lane sees vehicle after vehicle roll by - a rural Champs Elysees. The French view of foreign eccentricity now confirmed by the sight of two uproarious tramps waving at them while chatting away to an inverted miniature polar bear at their feet. ' Les Anglais ! '. Through it all Wilf lies on his back in the shade , listening to the hilarity, snoring gently and passing the occassional hint of ' L'Air du Wilf '. Laughter , the sounds of frogs on the pond, the scent of lime and elderflower and the presence of an old blind dog. Not the chicest of French lifestyles, not the most exciting of blog posts but simple contentment nonetheless.

21 comments:

  1. I would trade contentment for excitement most any day!

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  2. one of the best days ever... simple contentment.

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  3. I can't decide if you must've been bored by the lack of activity at home considering what it's usually like there or if you reveled in it.

    Sorry about Loic digging up your bulbs. Some guy I'd met ONCE last summer came over and trimmed my rosebushes down to nothing without my permission or knowledge (I wasn't home when he was working on them). I'm finally starting to see signs of spring but my rosebushes are now dead. I'm so angry about it. I'd demand he replace them but I know he doesn't have a job which means he doesn't have any money. So I can empathize with you there!

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  4. I am fast becoming addicted to your blog - it is an utter delight. Vive les Anglais - AND WILF!

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  5. Laughter will be music to dear little Wilf's ears. 'L'Air du Wilf' is very funny!

    x (for Wilf!)

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  6. Angus.....'L'Air du Wilf'....made me laugh out loud, bless you. I love the way you write as I can actually visualise the events as you describe them! Enjoy the good weather. You know the old saying for someone dressing younger then they should....mutton dressed as lamb!!! Sue x x x

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  7. Those simple moments are where the greatest memories come from.

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  8. Providing the locals with entertainment...a lot of scope there!

    XXXOOO Daisy, Kendra & Bell

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  9. What a great post. It's the simple things in life (I keep telling myself as a reminder)

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  10. Sorry, I think you have become "the locals".
    Love to all.

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  11. It is a beautiful post Angus, as usual, poetic, a bit humoristic, so delicate.
    Have a wonderful 1er Mai, hope you didn't forget to offer a "bouquet de muguet" to the Font, as the french tradition wants.
    Cuddles and lots of bisous to my beloved Wilfee.

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  12. I remember being in Paris years ago on May Day and carrying a little "bouquet de muguet" around all day and feeling oh-so-French! Have you figured out who will play you and "the font" in the movie version of your wonderful blog? I was thinking perhaps Lena Olin for "the font" (although I always imagine a slender Swedish blonde) but who to play M'Ongoose? The only Scotsman that comes to mind is Sean Connery! Wilf naturally can only be played by Wilf. Now, for Mme. Bay.......

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  13. You write so beautifully, I can feel the sunshine, smell the lily of the valley (My favorite flower)and I see Wilf cathching the sun on his back! These are the things that life is made of !

    Susan

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  14. It is a French thing -- le premier mai -- lily of the valley -- muguet -- off to the bois to celebrate le printemps. It beats tanks rolling through streets in other countries to commemorate the day.

    Here in South Florida, we're more into Cinco de Mayo -- with margaritas.

    Two giggling expats in low couture -- what a treat for the locals!!!

    xxx Joan

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  15. chic or not, that was a special evening to remember with dear wilf. :)

    the booker man and asa's mama

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  16. Simple Contentment (S.C.) IS number one in my life, I am into simple food as well, at last.
    Envious over the bench under the chestnut tree, it's essential for S.C. Like an apple, a scent of flowers or an old dog (our Sal is going blind at a slow but persistent rate).
    Here is to you three - a glass of lemon presse (freshly made of course).

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  17. What a wonderful picture you paint with your words. Happy May Day to all!

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  18. Simple contentment... It sounds absolutely perfect to me.

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  19. A lovely post Angus! I agree with the previous comments because I think the simple things of the day are the most memorable and most enjoyable!

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  20. It sounds like a pretty wonderful afternoon to me! :)

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