Book Review: Coastliners

I read this 12 years ago when it was first published ... the copy is in my attic.
Q: Why not on a bookshelf?  A: I don't have one as my previous house had an inbuilt library!
A friend bought this copy from a UK charity shop!  Unfortunately, it was a slow and tedious read both readings, however, this time, I would wake in the middle of the night to read a few more chapters and came to enjoy the book.
Today is Saturday but I post this to my blog on Sunday yet moved the posting to Thursday!
I don't know why I am so exhausted.  I was reading before and after sleeping under the duvet, on the settee, in front of the fire. Unusual for me! I think it was a combination of Friday, a headache, THE RAIN, the desire for change and for the pile of chores to disappear!
There are more than enough reviews and it best to go to Joanne Harris' website for all you wish to know.  It's about insiders/outsiders and pessimism/optimism. The frailty of human life which is dependent upon age, employment, lifestyle.  It is about birth/death and how LIFE struggles on, despite all that occurs...well, until we die!  The thread in the story is the belief that if something departs or is lost it will return.  It's a bit of a cliffhanger ... suddenly the tale ends and one wonders.
I have read the 2nd,3rd,4th 5th of her published books. I think I stopped buying when I realised there was a pattern.  I own THE FRENCH KITCHEN which I rather like!
I miss the sea...but probably would not wish to be near the angry 'hungry dog' on the west and south of the British Isles.

On the route de Compostela

Streets in this region of Chatellerault have recently been upgraded and this one pedestrianised.

Chatellerault is on the pilgrimage route of St. Jacques de Compostela. Construction of the Saint Jacques Church began in 1008 on the ruins of the chapel of the priory of Saint-Jacques. The Bishop of Poitiers, Isembert II consecrated the church in 1066.  In 1632, a votive offering celebrated the end of the plague in the town.  The church was restored in 1858 and has a 17th century polychromic, wooden statue of St. Jacques. It has a carillon of 50 bells - the only carillon in the Poitou-Charentes region. 
The restoration of the church was not to the liking of one of the inspectors of historic monuments who refused to give the church any government subsidy because it replicated the facade of the Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Poitiers.  His power of generosity did not extend to the understanding that sometimes imitation can be the sincerest form of flattery!  "Thou shalt not steal" he quoted from the Bible.  Nor did he survive to hear Steve Jobs say in 1996 that "Good artists copy, Great Artists steal!"

Wikipedia Photo of Notre Dame Cathedral, Poitiers

Jeanne d'Arc rode here

 

The hanging ball of the Plane tree (Platane) is an achene (akairn). This fruit, a seed-box, gradually breaks open in winter to release stiff hairs which carry tiny seeds on the wind. (wind dispersal)

Beneath three plane trees which were in front of the former hospital, now the site of the Tourist Office, the Loft theatre, a new school and architectural museum, lies an almost inconsequential dwarfed monument that is in need of restoration. It was made with 'tuffeau' stone of the region, which is easily eroded by weather. I am witness that it has seriously eroded in the last 9 years.  Increased traffic pollution?  The engraved commemoration is becoming illegible and perhaps in 15 years will be replaced.
"Ici s'élevait la porte Ste Catherine par laquelle est passée Jeanne d'Arc en Mars 1429 se rendant de Chinon à Poitiers.  Cette borne a été inaugurée le 17 Mars 1929 à l'occasion du cinquième centenaire du passage à Chatellerault de l’héroïque Bergerette."
I can't translate it exactly. Joan of Arc in March 1429 travelled through Chatellerault from Chinon to Poitiers. Saint Catherine was one of the saints who Joan said advised her. The city gates have long since disappeared. The monument was inaugurated 17 March 1929 on the fifth centenary of the journey of the heroic Bergerette (young shepherdess).

Poetic thinking about absent adult children in Spring

Sunday morning sun is shining glistening dew on grass.

Crisp it feels, but not too cold under the blue-bright clear sky.
Wearing a coat I sit... on a fuschia pink chair... drinking tea... eating toast with marmalade.

I watch a mostly black bumble bee arrive on the stone wall to sun himself.
I feel the need to sun myself.

There is a yearning to be outside...
to titivate the garden... to walk... to cycle... but inside there are chores.

There is a yearning to have company...

to share ideas about the making of a home with a garden of thoughts.
There is a yearning to share Time...
as it passes in the thoughts of a garden where Life shortens day by day.

Morning sun is shining... but glistening dew-like droplets
are swept warmly away from my face with laughter
as bright sunlight spears my eyes and dries the joyful tears

to move morning thoughts optimistically forwards.

Like The Spring as it moves forwards from The Winter.

We grow like daffodils pushing through verdant grass to raise their sunny lemon heads.

We grow to enjoy LIFE without the presence of all those whom we love -
children, family, friends.
Yet here in my garden in France, and in my garden of love,
absent like the daffodils in their beds
they are waiting to show up!
I am waiting for the next step.

Shake up. Shape up.
Be like the busy black bumble bee. 
Look for the warmth before we rust away.
It's SPRING!

Monday update: 
Another very warm day... that did not turn cold until 17h. The sky stayed clear all day with WARM sunshine whereas yesterday there were afternoon showers. There is a brilliant setting sun. I see red streaks in the sky at 18h.
On Sunday morning I was so overjoyed with the signs of Spring that I started to think that France on a glorious warm February morning is such a golden treasure. 
Yesterday, I was thinking about my grown up children and thinking that because of the choices I made about life they cannot be here to enjoy what I enjoy! Neither can I be with them to enjoy what they enjoy!!!! I keep tweaking the words... a wordsmith takes time to be happy with expression of a deeper depth of feeling. This 'poem' has been an attempt  to say how much I love them... as much as morning sunshine... as much as dancing daffodils... and more!!!!!!

A pond without goldfish

Last week the windscreen of my car was niftily replaced in order to pass 'le contrôle technique'.  Before the repair and / or after, I can't remember which, I noted that there was a lot of moisture on the inside of the windscreen, but took no notice, merely wiped it dry.  On Wednesday there was water in the bottom of the car, some of which I baled out using an old tea-towel as a sponge. Had I left the door ajar? If so, it didn't make sense because none of the upholstery or plastic was wet! On Thursday, there were 4 larger ponds ... two in the front and two 'à l'arrière!'  Hmph! I booked a rendezvous with the garage for the next day.  Another 45+ minute trip to town! There were three of those last week! Now the petrol budget has exceeded itself!  Miraculously, my hairdresser had an appointment available in the afternoon, so all was not completely lost and everything gained!
It appears that water falling between the windscreen and the bonnet has channels which discharge rainwater behind the front wheels.  Now, I never knew that! Well, these were evidently blocked with dust, leaves and debris. They are not checked for the French MOT and maybe not the English one!  As a result of ignorance, incompetence and I don't know what, the carpets are saturated. My Renault garage discovered the problem, used their vacuum cleaner to suck up as much water as they could and told me to do the same each day or use a sponge!  I sponged twice today and had the heater on full pelt whilst travelling to the Preuilly-sur-Claise Saffron Fair - a product specific market of the Crocus Sativus - a kind of Farmer's market ... which also included the sale of salt, plants and bulbs, cake, cheese, meats, crafts such as pottery, wood, jewellery, etc. There was a restaurant but only open at midday!
As soon as RAIN stops during the day, I'll open doors and windows. I might be able to put the humidifier inside the car!   I hope it isn't any other problem.
Meanwhile SPONGE in hand, my heart goes out to all those with flooded homes.
An absolute nightmare for them!!!!!!!   The fields across country are saturated; crops/seeds will rot.  Fallen trees have been cleared from roads and lie in the swollen ditches.

Entymology

After the renewal of the mansard roof I've had to find out the names of carpentry joists in order to describe a problem with water when there shouldn't be any on the inside.   There are legs (jambes de force ou chevrons) which support 'la panne sablière', junction of 'le brisi' and 'la terrasson'.  In English they are called 'ashlaring'.  What a wonderful sound!

Ashlaring is a collective noun given to ashlars, which are short upright timbers that are fixed from the joists to the rafters to form the walls of a garret/attic/grenier. They cut off the acute angle between the roof and the floor.
Ashlaring is also a term in masonry when squared stone, cut roughly true on all faces is positioned next to others so as to provide very thin mortar joints.  It is also a collection of such stones.

It can also be used as a verb to ashler / to ashlar meaning to face with ashlars!

The word originated in the early 18th century from 14th century Middle English ascheler and  Middle French aisselier  and Latin axilläris,  the latter creating the word axis.  

Words from several years ago - adapted

Some words are like monsters leaping from a thoughtless or thoughtful chasm between people.
How can we escape from words?
Some words are like gentle angels opening their wings and wafting gently into our hearts.
How can we fly with wings?
Words try to communicate
Sometimes therein lies miscommunication, misunderstanding, hurt, struggle, sorrow.
Words try to communicate
Sometimes are as soft as rain, or hot as the sun or like the lick of an ice cream
creating joy, positive feeling, cosiness, security, safety.
How we love to be loved.
Words are only words.
Often they are insufficient to express emotion.
Love is an inner struggle.
The greatest love is unconditional.

Those were my thoughts.

A small blue notebook

The 1998 European educational exchange had ended.  I chose to stay alone in Lisbon for a few extra days.  It was an opportunity and project to share and develop pedagogical knowledge and delivery to children (i.e. teaching and learning) and to build and benefit professional and personal development. It was for adults, as well as for children, and some colleagues missed the point!

My small, blue notebook recorded a memory of overcoming internal fears into joy as a personal educational experience.  It wasn’t every day that I had the opportunity to be in Portugal with flights pre-paid. I hadn't been corrupt. The flight booked was just several days later and meanwhile I paid for my accommodation, travel and food.  Travelling really does broaden the mind. It was a lesson in how to be better organised - an ongoing challenge of my life! It was a lesson in overcoming fears. I needed to keep calm and not think the worst.  Rising panic attacks wanted to destroy the sense of adventure. Being unable to understand Portuguese and frustrated to be understood created desperation in the first 48 hours!  It was a lesson in how to learn to be positive.  It became a lesson of appreciation of how lucky I was.  Then,  there was a friend who loved me.  We spoke on the 'phone. He guided me on how to approach living in a place where language was a barrier.  In my small blue notebook I wrote that I was respectful of his patience, kindness and care.  I tried to be more open towards the general friendliness of unspeaking travellers.

On the train out of Lisboa, I congratulated myself for purchasing a train ticket. I had used gestures and written the destination on paper. I gave a large note and accepted whatever the change was. It was escudos.  That morning at breakfast a television advertisement re-enforced my friend’s verbal support. This made me more confident, encouraged and hopeful that I could master solo travel.

The message was that: “The world is full of opportunity and risk. If you can take away the risk you can do anything!”  It was also “Carpe Diem - Seize the day for tomorrow may never come.”

After the hubbub of Lisbon, the landscape transformed as we exited a dark tunnel. Here was Sintra with its beautiful Palace. Once there were two different castles. There was the now ruined Islamic Castle of the Moors overlooking the village.  In the lower castle, dating from 10^th century, where Moorish regional rulers once lived, there is a mixture of Gothic, Renaissance and Moorish styles.

There was the most wonderful wood-panelled flooring with furniture made from many woods: walnut, rosewood, ebony, oak, chestnut.  In a 15th/16^th chapel repeated patterns of doves holding an olive branch were painted on the walls.  In one room 104 magpies were painted on the ceiling holding 'HONOUR' in their beaks. 

In another room 27 swans were painted on the ceiling. Windows and doors were surrounded by green and white rhombus shaped tiles. Above each were different mosaic patterned castles. I noticed tureens from 17^th/18^th centuries depicting boar, cows, swans, and chickens!

I ate bacalhau – dried and salted codfish with creamy mashed potatoes topped with grilled parmesan, served with a mixed salad and more than one glass of red wine before I climbed to the upper castle in hot sunshine!  I felt contented and wished my friend was with me.  Back in Lisbao, I discovered an indulgement of Portuguese custard tarts. Sitting outside the castle I could hear a noisy city.  Trams clank, aeroplanes roar to soar, pigeons coo, birds in cages sing, others cheep in freedom, builders hammer tools, people chatter, cars rush, ships hoot, horns honk, sirens wail and people played guitars as I looked at the sculptural art in the courtyard.  I loved the monastery, the castle, the wide promenades, the ocean, the ambience, the architecture and particularly the Purple Jacaranda trees, beneath which, I heard the music of Madredeus.  

 `````````

Weather Days:
Monday was hot, hot, hot for February.  My carpenter and I sat in the garden for morning coffee, lunch and afternoon tea!  I think it was a Yellow Brimstone that fluttered by and I think a Red Admiral.  In mid January I had to help a Red Admiral wake up when it was about to get damaged in the log shed!  But I heard on the radio this Wednesday morning that butterflies in England have woken up from their Winter Pause too early and there isn't enough nectar to supply them with energy.
Tuesday was more overcast with some sun breaking through in the afternoon.

One of my most favourite of songs

by some of the most beautiful of people

and one of the greatest of bands - Free Bird -  Lynrd Skynrd - a terrible loss of brilliant musicians.

If I leave here tomorrow
Would you still remember me?
For I must be traveling on, now,
'Cause there's too many places I've got to see.
But, if I stayed here with you, girl,
Things just couldn't be the same.
'Cause I'm as free as a bird now,
And this bird you can not change.
Oh... oh... oh... oh... oh...
And the bird you cannot change.
And this bird you cannot change.
Lord knows I can't change.

Bye, bye, baby it's been a sweet love.
Yeah, yeah, Though this feeling I can't change.
But please don't take it so badly,
'Cause the lord knows I'm to blame.
But, if I stayed here with you girl,
Things just couldn't be the same.
Cause I'm as free as a bird now,
And this bird you can not change.
Oh... oh... oh... oh... oh...
And this bird you cannot change.
And this bird you cannot change.
Lord knows, I can't change.
Lord help me, I can't change.
Lord I can't change,
Won't you fly high free bird...yeah.

Book Review - The Constant Gardener

The Constant Gardener

This is my first reading of any John le Carré novel. A friend has lent it to me. I am pleased because I heard the radio serialization some while ago and enjoyed it.  At first, I found it a bit boring but there were exciting moments and I know I was absorbed because I would wake in the middle of the night and continue reading! There were terrifying moments, violence and conspiracy for the characters and the reader.  It made one think. The answers were not all evident.

Tessa had been gruesomely murdered in Kenya but where was the doctor she was with when trying to expose the drug company and others involved with the corruption. The fictional pharmaceutical company exploit a drug to cure or kill, to profit under the guise of helping the poor! Justin her older husband enjoyed growing lilies and other flowers especially for her. Had she betrayed or been disloyal to her husband or protected him? He, a diplomat at the British High Commission began a personal odyssey to find her killers and the motive.  He risks his own life for justice and revenge after he was interviewed as a suspected murderer.  He accomplishes his task as well as discovering the depths of his love for a woman who he had little time to fully love.

It is a crime thriller full of subtle betrayal, divided loyalty, bribery and corruption and Capitalism.  Recommended reading.

Chatellerault École Elementaire Claudie Haigneré

A new primary school in Chatellerault opened in November 2013.  

It is named Claudie Haigneré. She was the first French female astronaut before becoming a politician and is a doctor who has specialized in rheumatism. This new school will focus on the practice, history and cultural development of science and technology for its pupils and the general public. The school is organized on two levels:

On the ground floor is the dining area plus kindergarten with playground. Upstairs is the Elementary school and separate playground.

There are three kindergarten classes, five basic classes and LCIS (School Integration Class) all equipped with interactive whiteboards. The school currently accommodates 190 children but has been designed to accommodate 300. The entrance is from a wide pedestrian walkway, allowing families and children safe access to the school. Parking is in a basement available to parents for 30 minutes.

The building complies with the legal requirements for accessibility of persons with disabilities, as well as for thermal regulation.
The overall cost amounted to € 11,301,000 and € 650,000 was funded by the General Council of Vienne.

The site landscape keeping heritage features is interesting. It was part of the redevelopment of the old hospital to strengthen the attractiveness of the city centre. Near to the school is the new Tourist Office, an interpretation centre for architecture and heritage, as well as the LOFT cinema.

Unfortunately there has been a recent report of an outbreak of scabies!  

THAT’s why the media were filming there on Tuesday! 

I know how terrible scabies is because I once contracted it from my 98 year old aunt, whose hand I’d held for almost an hour, when in a care home in the last 6 months of her life.

A new primary school in Chatellerault opened in November 2013.  

Chatellerault Images September 2013

There are always beautiful floral displays in the town centre. 

I was lucky to get photos of these before they disappeared for the Autumn.

This is particularly very clever!

Chatellerault Images February 2014

 Le Mairie without fountains, ice rink or weekly market stalls masking the view.

The pagoda thingy 'en haut' looks as if it is leaning a little!

I love the motto for France

Towards the south in February lunchtime sunshine

Towards the north to the bandstand and church

Nifty Electric Vehicles

It's the first time I have seen these anywhere at all.

Click on that first sentence to take you to the French newspaper article.

They were parked on Boulevard Blossac one way system near the Bandstand and Church.

(proche le Musique-Podium et Église)

Film Review: I used to be darker

I chose this film at the new FANTASTIC LOFT cinema because it was at a convenient time. There was 'Yves St Laurent' but Version Originale Sous-Titres (VOST) won!  I was the only one in Screen 6!  The title of the film is from the lyrics of one of the songs.  Matthew Porterfield: Director.  Released: September 2013.
A young Irish teenager has fled from her job in Wales. In fear, not knowing how to solve her problem, she has gone to seek refuge and shelter with her cousin, without realising that her aunt and uncle are experiencing a marital separation (love and loss). She's pregnant but takes a while to tell everyone (love and loss). Her friend has come home from college because of family crisis (love and loss).  She gets angry but is letting off steam for her own frustrations, inner hurt and quandary of how does one help anyone in crisis, let alone one's parents! There was anger from the father as he broke his guitar (love and loss).  There is release of love, everyone tried to be kind in their loss. There is obvious depression and frustration. There is redemption when lives are built up, then broken down. Life changes.  It brings the unexpected.  Nothing stands still.  It can be cruel and unkind.  The stories of the characters unfold.  There is an end to every beginning.  There is a beginning to every end. There was a sense of profundity to this film-story without an end as in everyday Life!
At first I wondered what I was doing watching such a movie about youngsters, but I sat through the glaringly, appallingly not-my-style-music.  At the end I discovered myself tapping a foot to a beautiful melody.  I wondered why the cinema lights had gone on!  It was the final song.
It was a film about letting go...but to go where?  As in real life, people wondered about their  experiences and were uncertain of how to solve emotional and pragmatic difficulties!  As in real life we go to the next experiences either of our own making or that have been circumstantially imposed upon us
It was a good film, one that I would recommend, for being gentle, even with the drama of anger and pain.  One could reflect. Occasionally the pace was a little slow, bringing a minor point of boredom when I fidgeted in my seat!

The Life of Rif

A busy week, highlighting a need to tackle personal issues / tasks, think of Future AND let go of Past.
Monday:
I drove to hospital - about 50 minutes drive.  I receive results of neck and shoulder x-rays immediately afterwards.  Isn't that efficient? I have to return to the GP to see what further treatment he will recommend for the upper arm difficulties which keep me awake at night! The non-steroid anti-inflammatory kicked in after 4 days but then the 7 day treatment ended and yes there was a marginal improvement which has faded!
I did a little food shopping. Unfortunately, despite best intentions, I couldn't resist a long grey linen tablecloth reduced by 50% and bags of compost (terreau) at 50% discount too!
Tuesday:
Arrived at the garage early. Waited whilst they checked the vehicle. Then they told me what work the car needs before the contrôle technique in the afternoon.  In France this MOT is every two years. They suggested I had a new windscreen, evidently covered by my insurance!!!!!!  It had been severely scratched by the metal part of windscreen wipers when last winter, or was it the winter before, rubber froze to the glass and parted from the wiper blades!
The mechanic was very helpful, in his own interests for business of course. Once I'd understood his suggestion, I agreed!  He phoned the insurance company to change the windscreen. I write a cheque for the repair,  the garage gives me an invoice and does not cash the cheque for two weeks.  Meanwhile I send the invoice to the insurance company who re-imburse my bank.  As soon as I receive the funds the garage cashes the cheque.  Isn't that marvellous?  Some cleaning of the brakes and a piece of rubber for the exhaust support- it's an absolute miracle for little Clio and me!!!!!! 
Whilst they did the work I walked into town - quite a distance. I kept to the opposite side of the road of the site of the May 2013 velo accident!  I am still rather nervous and almost ultra vigilant on the road as a driver, cyclist or pedestrian. I concentrated, walking carefully, as the pavement is pockmarked.  At times one had to walk onto the cycle track because vehicles were parked on the pavement. I must have pre-empted the trip I had on the return journey when I didn't quite negotiate the steps of a house that poked out onto the pavement ... another horror for the blind pedestrian!  I went flying forwards with the weight of a backpack behind me!  Squeezed between parked vehicles with not much space to land, two gloved hands broke my fall causing a jolt to my right shoulder. An inner scream, an expletive, as the biceps tendonitis / rotator cuff tendon (whatever!) went through an excruciating wave of pain and agony!  Aware of a bruise on my chin, thankfully not bleeding and the same to my left knee, which I knew had bled, I was grateful to be in tact and so were my better jeans!   Never mind!  Fortunately, I was wearing my new strong but heavy walking shoes.
Before that, unexpectedly I'd met a French friend so we shared news over a coffee.

I also viewed a small but interesting art exhibition and a film at the new cinema as well as visited the very exciting new Tourist Office at Chatellerault, behind which is the new Elementary and Maternelle school and pedestrian access to the river.
Wednesday: trying to get shipshape at home, chasing my tail with domestics, admin and naughtily writing blog posts!
Been trying to convert photos from ipad to laptop but it wants to use Google Drive, other apps and not iphoto! VERY ANNOYING IS MODERN TECHNOLOGY and I don't live in the ARK.

Tartiflette

Last week I was sustained by this wonderful heaven.
The poor person's version is to buy a round of Tartiflette rather than the more expensive pukka Reblochon from Haute-Savoie, which I have to divulge is infinitely superior especially with a local white wine.
Anyway, not being on the ski slopes........
In a pan sautée onions and just before they are ready add lots of crushed fresh garlic to golden up.
In a pan cook until just soft some sliced Cherie or other variety of waxy potatoes with skins on.
Now in my version for the very first time I sautéed aubergine finely chopped.  Trés originale je pense!
Layer all the vegetables in a pan that you have oiled. I added dried sage and seasoning between the layers. Press down. Pour in a dash of white wine.  Cut the round of cheese horizontally through the centre and position the gooey side down onto the potatoes. Now, if you have another round of cheese you could quarter one, to position it onto any potatoes that won't get a slurp of cheese!  Bake in a reasonably hot oven but if cooking too quickly turn the heat down and wait a little longer!
N.B. Basically, it is a cheese and potato pie so you could try any melting cheese but nothing replaces the smell and taste of Alpine comfort dairy food!

Date and Pineapple Oatcake Slice

  

I put about 200g stoned dates with a little water in a pan and then used the potato masher to bash into a puree. After that I added about a quarter of a large finely sliced fresh pineapple which I'd bought just before Christmas for 1.50 euros and kept it in my cold pantry to ripen.

In a bowl weigh 350g s.r. flour and 350g oats with 250g brown sugar and 250g butter, a large pinch salt and a large pinch vanilla powder. Crumble together with the fingers.

In a greased tin... sprinkle and pat down just under 1cm thick crumble...then spoon the date and pineapple mixture over the crumble pressing smooth, followed by a final layer of crumble. Press with your fingers or a spoon.
Bake in an oven about 190 / 200C for about 20 to 30 minutes...when the oaty mixture is golden and not white looking.   Slice whilst still warm and serve with crême fraîche.

 

There was more pineapple and more crumble. So I made a further dessert with only pineapple in the centre which I shall eat for breakfast as well as dessert... and a smaller sized pineapple-upside-down with a crumble instead of a sponge!!!! Deeeeeeeeelish!

My friend doesn't often make desserts so it seemed a fair exchange for table talk with 5 adults, 3 kiddies, champagne with salmon canapés, Chinon rouge and roast chicken with vegetables, goats cheese with a red Bordeaux, a sweet 2005 Bergerac with my dessert, black coffee and then I watched the 2013 movie "Frozen" with the little ones until the sun had almost set!  Ah....... I am alive!

A Song for my Soul

Tracy Chapman singing in my head:

I want to wake up 
I want to know where I'm going
I want to go where the rivers are over-flowing 
and I'll be ready.
I'm ready to let the rivers wash over me
If it's love flowing freely
If the waters can redeem me
I'm ready.
Save a place for me
Save a space for me  
in your heart
'Cause if you wait 
I will come for you.

I'm not waiting for anyone but my inner self to listen to my heart, to be more grown up, to have a kind of re-invention, to start a new journey now that the last 4 years have passed, and all those before that.   I'm open to receive further wisdom from whatever higher power or energy there is to guide me on my journey. 'This is This' a friend once said. It is true that I am more ready to live in the now rather than the past, but occasionally the past overflows into my mind!!!!!!!

The market and the library

The mediathèque above Les Halles indoor food market is open on market days I believe!  I had a browse and it is very sumptuous and spacious with a reasonably good selection of English novels to borrow. I didn't gather sufficient courage to do so! Will try to get to my village library which is open on Monday and Saturday mornings to see what selection they have. I might even try to donate books to them!