Sultan in Narbonne


This morning took me into Narbonne the oldest town in South West France and dating back to 118BC. It was a beautiful warm October morning and the Thursday market was in full swing. Amid the bustle of the stalls selling their array of wares it was not hard to imagine the marching feet of the Centurians as they clattered up and down the streets of this handsome Southern town just an hour away from the Spanish border and nestling slightly inland from the Mediterranean beaches. Apparently it suffered badly during the Middle Ages, not least of all from the plague and not really picking up until the 1800's when the railway arrived and the wine industry took off.

I happily began to mingle amongst the stalls wishing that His Lordship, complete with funds, had not strayed off. My eye's alighted on the most mouth watering display of quilted bed covers. I'm besotted by material and my heart sank as I noted the prices. Bargain is not a word I use lightly, but oh dear, they were 70 euros for two which made the ones I had bought for Le Chateau look somewhat expensive. His Lordship who by this time had caught up with me noticed my glum face. We adjourned to a small cafe where we met up with our two dear friends, the ageless Pierre and his gorgeous Swedish wife Lisa. After a chilled beer watching the world go by and becoming soporific in the sun I was cheered by the small glimmer of realization that they were not as divine as my classic quilted toile de jouy covers after all.

But really the most heartening and splendid sight this morning was the meeting of Sultan who appeared suddenly from a smart French blue front door. As Great Dane's go he was most noble. Apparently he was eleven years old and came from Australia where his delightful owner explained he was hoping to return soon. I had to take his picture of course, for surely he was the most handsome chap in France I had had the pleasure of meeting for a very long while.

Comments

Suffolkmum said…
Oh he's gorgeous, I do agree. Narbonne is lovely, from what I remember.
ChrisH said…
Phew! So relieved that the covers were inferior to yours (of course they were!) and what great taste in males you have.
Hannah Velten said…
What a beauty - back to Australia? What a shame, France loses it's most handsome male; boo hoo! Mootia x
Casdok said…
Definetly!!
And easier to train!
ChrisH said…
Anytime, Honey!
Pondside said…
OOh - next time buy the covers and send them out to me!!! Nothing half so interesting ever shows up in markets here!
Lovely Sultan - very noble.
CAMILLA said…
Oh Sultan is sooo gorgeous, no wonder you took a photo. I adore Linen and Antique Bedcovers, so wish there was a Market like that here. We do have a Wednesday Market with stalls in the Georgian Square, but sadly not of Antiques.

Camilla.x
Clare said…
Oh goodness - those quilts that one sees in the markets are beautiful, but they are mass produced. I saw a quilt last August at a brocante in Riberac. The material in the centre was 200 years old, it was badly quilted and the stall holder was asking 250 Euros!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Un Peu Loufoque said…
Gosh splendid dog pity about the quilts!
elizabethm said…
Yep, he is just beautiful. I have a real weakness for fabric too! have also read your blog about swimming in the sea - most impressed by your hardiness.
Grouse said…
He's lovely! I do WISH I could get away for a few days antique-hunting...you are so blessed with all of this on your doorstep....
Wooly Works said…
An amazing dog, or is he livestock? His face looks so tolerant and patient. I wish we had such lovely things show up at our markets. It's all the usual candles and soaps here. Nothing nearly as delicious as quilt covers!

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