Saturday, April 9, 2011

Too truthfully ?





Ninety degrees. Once again the south west of France is the hottest place in Europe. Faced with this unseasonable heat Wilf spends much of his day dozing in the shade of the hallway. A carefully chosen spot astride the front door. Sheepdogs are not fools. This cool, dark, vantage point, swathed in the rich vanilla scent of wisteria, is perfect for keeping watch over the comings and goings of his flock. From time to time a brief venture out onto the long grass under the medlars for a Ryvita and a tickle.

In the afternoon the family fellow supervised the painting of the Swedish furniture. 'The font' was delighted with the 'distressed' look that I'd achieved. " How did you manage it ?". ' Oh, it just came naturally ' I replied, perhaps a little too thruthfully.


A grande old dame of the English stage due for lunch today. She has a summer house nearby and comes to deepest France Profonde to enjoy anonimity and cheap ( and plentiful ) champagne. Much activity this morning in readiness. The lawn mower rasping away, hosepipes watering the parched flower beds, the kitchen a hive of hyper activity, champagne glasses being washed and polished. An all hands to the deck type morning. Wilf is strategically positioned in the kitchen hoping that things will fall on the floor. " Let your hook always be cast. In the stream where you least expect it there will be fish ".

18 comments:

  1. Can't wait to hear how lunch went - what a wonderful life you live! And I don't believe for a minute that you're going to be serving 'cheap' champagne! Here's holding thumbs that Wilf has not cast his hook in vain... ;)

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  2. I never have any dames visit my house.

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  3. A wonderful day in perspective for all the family. So, enjoy this sunny day and have a great time all together.
    AmitiƩs to you Angus, cuddles and bisous to my beloved Wilfee.

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  4. Is that a ryvita that Wilfs munching on...sure it is :). Have a lovely weekend, enjoy the sun. Ours is set to change next week and get cooler. S x x x

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  5. Ninety degrees? And I thought we had it warm in Aberdeen just now.
    Am intrigued by the identity of the anonymous Grand Dame..
    Cheers,
    Gail.

    And a request from Bertie to Wilf:

    Hi Wilfy dear chap. I wonder if you could do me a wee favour. As you may have read on my blog, Gail is coming to your country (the northern part) in a week's time for a cycling trip and I am going to prison. I wonder if you could encourage Angus to blog about some specially flavoursome French doggie treats, to give Gail some ideas on what she might bring back for me, as she will be no doubt feeling guilty and so perhaps more generous than usual with the gift purchases. Now we have to be realistic, as the food items will have to be carried in her bicyclepanniers. So the strawberry gateau I drooled at on your blog a short while ago would perhaps not be appropriate. But some hints about what she might ask for at, day, the charcuterie would be most welcome!
    Toodle pip!
    Bertie.

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  6. Wilf, the eternal optimist :)

    Blessings and Love,
    Janelle and Maggie Mae

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  7. That is hot! Smart Wilf. It looks like he's found the perfect place to rest while smelling the flowers despite the heat.

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  8. People wonder why we often leave our doors open on hot days. Edward knows why.

    Wilf will no doubt charm your illustrious visitor today. She's fortunate to meet him!

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  9. We frequently have old dames come to visit but they're not so very Grande :-) What an interesting life you lead in sunny France. Perhaps I shall pop a bottle of bubbly this afternoon in honor of your visitor. Can't wait for the post-visit story.

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  10. Angus, you had me at 90 degrees... lovely pictures, especially the view of Wilf stationed at the door.

    Too bad Merve will not be on hand to entertain with his array of show tunes.

    Please double check the champagne flutes... no chips please!

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  11. Wilf you look so happy - but the hint of the grande dame is pure torture for me - any more clues - Vanessa, Judy or .... in my world I need to discreet but a little hint .......
    Love from Southern Italy - fotographing my Wisteria in full bloom adorning the dogs with flower wreaths saluting Spring Susanne, Daisy and Foxtrott

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  12. 90 degrees way hot for me here in Alaska. We don't go much above 70 here on a good day in the heat of summer. However I did spend the first 60 years of my life in CA. where we had much higher temps, never did like the heat. Love to see the Grand old Dame, have never met one.

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  13. Its just as if we will all be sitting 'round the table with the Grande Dame . Who is she? What will she wear? What stories will she tell? Like the rest, I am most eager to read your report on this luncheon!

    Kisses,
    Stella, who is glad Wilf knows just where to be in the heat!

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  14. He may be blind but I bet the moment you drop a bit of food, deliberately or accidentally, Wilf will be right on top of it. :)

    Wishing it was 80 degrees here.

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  15. Wilf's company and free flowing champagne!!!!! What is the dress? We'll be over shortly.

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  16. Hello Angus! By the time you are reading this, I am sure your luncheon is no doubt a good memory!

    I really enjoyed today's pictures of Wilf! In particular the progressive pictures of his enjoying a Ryvita Crispbread where more of it is gone in the 2nd photo!

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  17. the wisteria around your front door is very pretty. Wilf picked a wonderful place for his cool nap. that's very hot for early spring. i hope that doesn't mean a hot summer will follow.

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  18. Must be Judy..
    Helen wasn't invited to the wedding.
    hope it is Judy - I adore her. Bound to be a fun lunch too....
    :)

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