Twice a week, I hop in the car and drive the short distance to L’Horte. Not only because I want to check on Pop’s tree and say hello but also because I always feel at peace there. There is a serenity about the place, especially now that nature has taken over. I could stand for hours just watching the river and the wildlife that now call it home. For the first time it two decades, the river froze over earlier in the week – the view was breathtaking. It is however, rarely quiet as I am always accompanied by Arry and often, Gunner too. Two German Shepherds let loose to voice their pleasure at being able to rough and tumble and in Arry’s case, have a swim. For Gunner, it’s like a kid who has been given the keys to a chocolate shop, his wobbly back legs skipping through the long grass as he chases Arry. It’s no wonder considering he has spent almost all of his 9 years walking those paths with Pop and Chrissie, I think like me, he feels happiest when he’s there.
As much as I love the wild beauty of L’Horte, the garden at Rouffiac needs structure. Some of the trees and bushes have already begun to show little buds and the flowerbeds are desperate for their Spring companions. Even though we are only in mid-January, Denis and I have to hit the garden centre soon. Having planned out every nook and cranny of la terre, I’m itching to get my gardening gloves on and get planting. I’ve had enough of stripping wallpaper and painting skirting boards, there’s only so much a girl can take. Thankfully my builders have done all the closet preparation so hopefully by the end of next week, my little home will be finished. I might even have radiators!
Mumo is off to get her vaccine on Tuesday. I doubt I will get mine until late summer at the earliest but at least something is happening. It’ll be a while before we can see family again but as a friend said, a light at the end of the tunnel, however small, is still light. Having the luxury of walking around the garden here or wandering the river path at L’Horte during the cold, damp months of winter is one thing but it’s so much better when the sun is out. I shall take a tip from Gunner and kick my heels up….
“Hope is being able to see that there is light despite of all the darkness” (Desmond Tutu)
Widow plus woofs 