Shop till you drop


Le Marin is a thing of the past. Funny how when the sun shines and the sky is a clear cornflower blue you develop an extra 'spring' to your step and 'zing' in your heart. I'm a early bird myself so as soon as the church clock strikes seven before it has a chance to remind us again one minute later, (strange things French church clocks) I'm out of bed and bounding towards the kettle. The happy yellow face is out, remember ?

It's going to be a scorcher. Not a movement, not a single rustle of any leaf to be heard, it won't be long before the sound of the cicadas start their singing until late into the sultry evening.

I grab my old wicker basket and prepare to do battle, the daily chore of the shops beckon for bread. Camera at the ready I wind my way through the tiny streets of the village. Elderly dames are gathering in the shade of the trees, 'Bonjour Salleeeeee' ça va ? The mobile shop has his counter open and he waits patiently whilst the daily ritual of chatter takes its slow course. Meanwhile I enter the small village shop, the last loaf has been sold. Never mind, who was taken away in an ambulance last night ? why didn't you come to the féte ? we all danced the night away and probably drank too much and heads are thrown back in laughter at the memory. 'ça ne fait rien' (it doesn't matter)

Holiday makers in the village want to peek at the pool, I hand out cards for next year, they sigh wistfully.

Meanwhile there are jobs to be done and despite the heat I decide to crack the whip.
2b is dispatched to clean the pool (from the inside) with a sponge for round the edges. It's a tough job but someone has to do it. 'Would you like some help' ? I enquire.'You're all heart' he replies.

Some days you don't have to travel very far to live life, do you know what I mean ?

Comments

FunkyMunky said…
Sounds idyllic. My parents live in France, and the whole pace of life there is so different from here, it's almost like another world!

Enjoy the sunshine - and try not to feel too guilty as you think of us poor souls in Blighty still awaiting a proper glimpse of summer!!
Un Peu Loufoque said…
i KNOW ISN'T THE WEATHER TREMENDOUS SUMMER HAS WELL AND TRULY ARRIVED HERE IN FRANCE! I SHALL BE DOWN TOUTE SUITE TO GIVE 2B A HAND IN THE POOL DEAR!!

PS I AM SHOUTING SO YOU CAN HEAR ME OVER THE SOUND OF TH 2B SPLASHING AWAY!!!!

I can just imagine you reclining in your elegant designer swimwear on your teak steamer chairs direcitng operations!!Do remember the sunblock!!
Crystal Jigsaw said…
You've inspired me to get the paddling pool out. It's quite warm although dark looming clouds are looking threatening.

Crystal xx
Pondside said…
Yes, you're a tease. Sounds perfectly perfect - I feel like those tourists peeking in at the pool!
countrymousie said…
Tease!! Raining here again!!! Boring, boring, boring.
I could go and scrub the pond I guess!!
I might ring the Tesco delivery man so that I can have a van.
Suffolkmum said…
Stop teasing - I've only been back from France six days and the sun is but a distant memory ...
Jacqui U said…
The cicadas have started where we are - and every year we forget just how noisy they are!

They almost keep us awake as we doze by the pool....
DevonLife said…
oh god i cannot bear this. how dare you tell us about this idyllic life when we are still wearing wellies. Mind you we have had a lovely patch of sunshine today so let's keep everything crossed for the rest of July.

Oh. My. Lord. Just looked out of my office window. Blue. Sky.
Eden said…
Oh sounds heavenly. All rain here, but we are off for France on Friday. Can't wait!
lampworkbeader said…
Sally, I'd have to travel a long way to live life like you do.
'San fairy ann', as they say.
lampworkbeader said…
Sally, I'd have to travel a long way to live life like you do.
'San fairy ann', as they say.
CAMILLA said…
Hello Sally,
I adore France, lucky you that you have such wonderful sunny weather. Here we have had thunderstorms, so much rain this past five weeks too.

I spoke with Elizabethd who lives in France, she said that the pace of life in France was at a much slower pace.

Camilla.x
muddyboots said…
the trials & tribulations of long hot summer days....... so much to do.....

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