Hang about ...

Unexpected encounters

PART ONE:
Herein lies a strange tale...where at this town square, a story evolved, where someone met another one, and a third one met the two ... oh no! oh ho! Funnily enough it wasn't that funny at the time, although I didn't know how to stop laughing.  I had to control myself for fear of ridiculing the situation. A flare-up would have been totally unnecessary.  However, I didn't know what to think, feel or do!  If I did this then that .... If I did that then this ... to retreat and leave the restaurant entirely? to sit down as invited? or to sit elsewhere? A few days later we laughed at the odds against such a rendezvous in France! An extreme experience!  
I am obliged to conduct discretion!  There was a sense of the ridiculousness in the distance that some people might go in order to meet others and / or feed from clandestine liaison; a ridiculousness in being furtive, in being not open! What does secrecy and deception achieve?  Lies, hidden truths, in its many forms, including being economical with the truth will result in being discovered.  I am not being high-minded! What goes around comes around!
The event happened because there were coincidences, circumstantial changes, changes of venue, changes of days, times, changes, changes, changes. Factors conspired to converge into making a story worthy as part of a novel:

1. Travel on Monday was altered to travel on Sunday.
2. Monday postal delivery arrived on Saturday.
3. Saturday energy levels were low. Sunday surged with energy, anticipation, excitement.  No reason to delay!
4. Admin and household tasks were completed on Saturday.
5. On Saturday lawns were mowed and a good weather forecast meant they wouldn't need a cut for ten days. A rarity this year!
6. A week earlier, there was a desperation for sights, sounds and smells of the sea but I couldn't find a cat sitter or else I would have been on that isle earlier than the invitation.  Alone, is perfect but company always welcomed.  Then, Saturday late afternoon, a window of opportunity emerged as a cat sitter WAS available.
7. Monday lunch was altered to Sunday supper but not to include me!
8. La Rochelle was altered to Île de Ré but not to include me!
9. I arrived. I wasn't going to 'eat out' but changed my mind.  I'd eaten my dessert on the beach and a can of mackerel and oat biscuits was to be my evening meal!  BUT, AS I was on holiday and could please my very own Self, unafraid of dining alone, an impulsive choice was made!
10. 'Dress up' was in mind, but I 'dressed down' because I only dress to please myself.  When I dine out I always, always 'dress up' and sometimes am 'over-dressed',  so I wondered what it was that made me change into faded blue, not such clean shorts and a favourite pretty top wearing THE summer hat?  I'd taken off the pretty blue double spotted summer dress that I had travelled in that afternoon.  In the suitcase were two other black dresses and a black classy jacket but nope I did not wear them!  I splashed on perfume which I always do every day!  IN FACT, I had no intention of meeting anyone!   I think that is why I dressed down! 
11. A favourite restaurant exists in the town of that particular campsite where three converged.
12.  One cannot rely upon seemingly instant internet communication being received and read!

PART TWO:
The following day a different encounter ensued. Last September a charming, attractive English speaking French man chatted to me on the beach whilst I ate my peach. We wrote. In Springtime I ended correspondence because  despite his romantic compliments and invitations it wasn't going anywhere.  
This September: with a backdrop of yachts in the harbour and stripey coloured awnings, oh my goodness, he came into view, but 2 metres from me!!!! We greeted, we chatted about his health, his travels to Spain and France in his camper-van, and how he had downsized his van from last year. We didn't discuss me.  As I indicated that it was time to get on my bike, he inched a step toward me, I stepped a step away, repeatedly, eventually stepping over the boardwalk chain.  It happened in the way that some people step into personal space.  It happened in that way that says, "I like you".  Time to travel!  I felt compassion and rather sad, a little guilty, but not responsible for being a heart-breaker!  It was how he described me in the Spring when I said I didn't wish to have a relationship! 
Later, I sat with companion one.  We agreed it was 'Touché' and laughed, but in my case this wasn't an intended or wished for rendezvous!
Strange and not so funny when so many people of my age live solo.  One rarely is aware of single people out and about. In France I rarely see them. Should we singles all wear a badge?
Not so funny when all of us have basic needs for a companion, mutual support, appreciation and respect from others and to care for others who are able to share emotional competency and well-being.

It may sound bizaare, but it is a true experience.  I have never crashed on someone's date before! 

Mrs Hobble

... appeared 5 years ago, disappeared and re-surfaces, not completely welcome but once her feet have healed she will not have to reappear. There were two bunions on two feet. One was in a sad state of distress because the big toe joint pierced the skin for several winters.  It was a great relief after the op to wear Mary-Jane winter shoes again though wellies were truly out unless fleecy lined!  (Mrs Hobble dislikes wellies though they appear to look so beautiful on others feet!)
The second took 5 years for the offending joint to be ill-fitting and uncomfortable in Cinderella ballerina shoes, rolling inwards instead of performing a heel to toe dance. In winter shoes, nerves felt cut by knife like slicing along the outer joints of both feet.  An osteopath in UK and a kinaestherapiste in France treated the pain very well.  Mrs Hobble dreads containing her feet in winter shoes! BUT ... Now it is done and almost over.  Life can soon take another step forwards.
Everything boded well. The surgeon was smiley and kind. Then she was pushed through the bowels of the hospital to a standstill in the operating theatre. Nurses were washing and robing up, chatting and laughing with colleagues, in good but serious camaraderie. The anaesthetist sang "Bonnie and Clyde" and answered Mrs Hobble's questions about the machines which were to monitor her.  She allayed her fears about being sent to Dream Land. 
On Friday night Nurse BossyBoots (one of many!) woke her up to insist she took 4 painkillers in three hours time!!!!  "Why can't I take them now? I shall be asleep!" Another said OK take them in an hour. "Why can't I take them now? I shall be asleep!" They departed and she fell asleep. The next morning at 6am, apart from an embarrassing moment when a signal did not meet her brain cells early enough, Nurse Bossy Boots chastised Mrs Hobble for not taking the tablets and removed them into her pocket! Other nurses were disinterested in providing painkillers that were desperately asked for as by now the foot was hot and hurt!  Nor did they wish to change the 'pansement' but Mrs Hobble insisted they did.
The poor patient sharing her room started to vomit several times and still the nurses took ages to come, appearing to be disinterested in her condition. Dinner trays arrived. Certainly not what patient two wished to see!  Soggy brussel sprouts with a slab of reconstituted turkey mash in pretend breadcrumbs!  Taking the banana and packet of soft cheese Mrs Hobble was eager to escape potential infection once the ambulance/ taxi driver arrived with the wheelchair.  Saturday! Saturday! OUT into fresh air and freedom! The sun was shining!
FOR THE BRAVE: photos taken 6 days after the op! Poor old feet for a poor old lady!
I am surprised the foot is not more swolllen.

UPDATE: 10 October:  I understand it's normal but I'm feeling very emotional from time to time ... must be the concoctions of anasthesia, painkillers and daily injections to counteract Deep Vein Thrombosis! Perhaps as a result of the latter, the nurse had trouble finding a vein in my inner elbow a few days ago, and today she gave up,  said she would try tomorrow!
Would love a glass of wine!  
Wish the brain cells would clear enough so that I could get a grip on the mounting admin!
Wish the heavy legs feeling would disappear so that I could cook a decent meal even though I am eating healthily.
Wish I could be out and about in the Autumnal air, cycling, walking to see Autumn Crocus and cyclamen carpets.
Meanwhile must try Yoga when not wrapped up in my comforting crocheted granny blankets, with Hot Water Bottle, Reading books and thoughts!
IN THE PAST: Updated 11 October
Comaparing the left with the right foot and looking back at history it seems I have to wait about 3 to 4 weeks post op for it look better .....
http://villagedevaux.blogspot.fr/2009/04/history-of-bunion-in-photos.html

Interesting!

I'd elected to go to the market. Parked my car. Looked back. Looked again. 

Laughed. Camera emerged from bag!

Priests? Choristers? Perhaps the latter!