Census day . In Britain it happens every ten years. Here in France every five. The mayors secretary comes round in person to watch us fill out the forms and check their accuracy . She's due at nine and shows up in her little Citroen at ten . A model of punctuality by local standards . '' No coffee for me. If I have another cup I'll be flying " she says somewhat improbably . We go into the dining room. Wilf settles under the table with a Ryvita. The mayors secretary places a briefcase on the table, opens it, and hands us each a form. '' Are you sure there's only the two of you here ? " . She asks this with a tone of voice that implies there are fifty illegal immigrants hiding in the cellar .The last census showed that 67 intrepid souls called the commune their home. According to the local paper there are rumours that some smaller villages might be combined into ' super villages ' of two or three hundred inhabitants . An attempt to save costs . A battle royal looms between the local mayors.
Of course, with all the improbable people seen to be coming and going from your rickety farmhouse, there's infinite room for suspicion and at least 50 illegals.
ReplyDeleteJust read that Huffington has made a French connection. She should have checked in with the resident PON!
Are you sure the mayor's secretary wasn't after 'just the one' glass of champagne....?
ReplyDeletePerhaps the secretary was referring to people like me who live in your computer...
ReplyDeleteLooks like fun times ahead.
ReplyDeleteFor the first time last year, we could do our census forms online~
XXXOOO Daisy, Bella & Roxy
They didn't even ask if we had any pets.
I hope my darling Wilf is doing better love from Susanne, Daisz and Foxiee plus Kiri - temporarilz from Austria
ReplyDeleteMaybe there's hope for 'the Font' to get out of Secretary duties after all! I can just picture the uproar in your village if they had to share governing responsibilities!
ReplyDeleteam i the only one who had an instant picture of a female inspector clouseau?
ReplyDeletethe title... then so many beautiful solemn pictures of our beloved wee bear made my heart stop a little... i held my breath, scrolling down to the script... and then found a funny, charming post of continued life in france profonde! you're a master of the pen angus!
love,
tammy j
@Tammy - good imagination - Closeau with a briefcase turning down coffee....Wilf, you look ever endearing - and he wasn't counted?
ReplyDeletePerhaps the right thing to do here, would be to buy a box of pencils, an automatic sharpener and a dozen legal pads for Madame Secretary. It will be important not to miss a word of this battle.
ReplyDeleteJo, Stella and Zkhat
Its a wonder she didn't head downstairs into the cellar with a candle and her pen. Just to be sure. Interesting to always find out about places you live on who was there before. Ryvita works for us here too! We love them with peanut butter, perhaps Wilf would love a bit of peanut butter on his next time around? Keep on going Wilf!!
ReplyDeleteWith love from your Canadian pals,
Dianna along with Tor, Willow and Tucker
Bonne soirée à vous trois and a peaceful night for my sweet Wilfee.
ReplyDeleteBisous, lovely polar bear.
Wilf is looking really good!
ReplyDeleteCan you just imagine it! Super villages! Of course, the font will be expected to assume the expanded secretarial duties for this flight of fancy. And with Angus' reputation for generosity with the Champagne, we can just guess the preferred locale of the meetings. Oh, poor font!
ReplyDeletePerhaps she wanted you to include Madame Bay's ghosts.
ReplyDeleteThree surely...don't dogs count?
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet dog. I enjoyed reading your profile, sounds like you had quite a bad experience in Italy. I'm glad I found your blog, I have fond memories of pets that have passed on also. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteGarden of Secrets
http://fleur-de-li.blogspot.com In case you care to visit!