Bonjour,
I hope that you just and yours are nicely.
I’m sending you this article from the Chateau de Fontainebleau! And no, I’ve not determined to maneuver right here from my little farmhouse – particularly now now we have completed renovating after 22 years with our naked palms doing all the things from constructing partitions, laying flooring and placing on a brand new roof! I’m actually right here researching for articles which I’ll be writing for The Good Life France Journal (it’s free – click on right here to learn and subscribe). I’m exploring the Ile de France – Paris, Fontainebleau, Monet’s Backyard, Moret-sur-Loing (a fantastic city the place artist Rosa Bonheur used to stay, and the chateau of Roche-Guyon simply over the border in Picardy. And I’m visiting all of them by paddlewheel ship with CroisiEurope! Be a part of me on Instagram the place I’ll share images and movies as I’m going…
In the meantime again house, Joan Collins, Kim Kardachicken and Taylor Swift have been hogging the rooster coop sitting on eggs for weeks. I’ve to say, I didn’t actually need extra chickens, however then a cockerel we now name Serge Gainsbourg turned up out of the blue within the pen. I imply critically, I don’t understand how he obtained there. One minute I used to be pondering it was a bit unhappy that a few of the ladies had been sitting on unfertilised eggs daily, wanting infants, and possibly I ought to get them a husband, then Serge simply turned up (and sure, I’m going to do the lottery this 12 months after I’ve thought lengthy and onerous about profitable!). Mark, my different half, is giving me updates every day on the progress in rooster world, however there aren’t any little chirps thus far!
Final week a large parrot immediately appeared outdoors the townhall within the village. And I imply large – its wingspan was about 10 ft, and its head was the dimensions of a giant bucket. It may solely imply one factor – the straw sculpture contest was looming. On Saturday, the village and surrounding valleys had been buzzing with guests from as far afield as Belgium. They went from village to village to admire the locals’ efforts with a little bit of straw. It’s an artwork that’s as outdated because the hills however I doubt that the ancients made something like our parrot which had a Prussian blue face and somewhat doleful eyes and a pointed beak that appeared positively harmful.
The opposite huge lure of the day (probably extra of an enticement even than a parrot, trains and different frankly unusual issues comprised of straw) are the pop-up eating places and bars that every village lays on for the occasion. The attractive aroma of mussels simmering in white wine with garlic, and recent fries effervescent in nice steaming vats, crammed the air together with the sound of disco music and the inevitable warbling of the late nice Johnny Hallyday (AKA “rockeur nationwide” – France’s reply to Elvis Presley) who won’t ever be forgotten on this village.
As I all the time say, by no means a uninteresting second right here!
Bisous from Fontainebleau,
Janine
Editor
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