We nearly had a run in with a tornado last week. I had been standing out on the terrace wondering if the rumbles of thunder in the distance would bring us some much needed rain when Denis called me. He knew Arry and I had an appointment with the vet, this time just a check-up on his permanently problematic ears, so D was in a bit of a panic as to where I was. He’d been on his way to the supermarket in nearby Limoux, when he was told to turn back due to the impending weather phenomenon. At first, I thought I’d got my French words mixed up – tonnerre being thunder and tornade being well, a tornado but then the wind suddenly whipped itself up into a frenzy and the sky went bullet-grey as the rain pelted down. All rather spectacular even if the whole scenario only lasted a few minutes. Luckily for us here in Rouffiac, the tornado bypassed us but on my way to the clinic half an hour later, I saw the aftermath. The main road between us and the shopping centre has a beautiful tree-lined road next to which is the local railway, both of which were littered with huge branches and bits of trunk. It was a blink and you’ll miss it sight as by the time we’d finished at the vet, almost everything had been cleared before the fire service and police arrived thanks to those working in the neighbouring businesses. No leaves on the line here.
Thankfully there was no major damage done to any buildings, least of which, Adolphe’s second hand emporium. Sadly, Adolphe is selling up and moving to a village a few kilometres away to updo a chateau he has bought with his girlfriend so everything must go. Not wanting to miss out on a possible treasure or two, Mumo and I popped down to comb through the heaving piles of what-nots, broken stereos and dusty furniture. Adolphe had erected a huge sign declaring ‘80% off closing down sale!’ which provided great amusement for us villagers as he never puts a price sticker on anything. As luck would have it, I did find a couple of gems – a beautiful chair needing only a little renovation, that looked like it came from the same place as my theatre seats and a couple of ornate iron frames. Adolphe wanted me to take the door they came out of too, very rare wood apparently (Del Boy would have been thrilled), I managed to persuade him that we had quite enough spare portals in the garage and the ironwork was going in the garden. Anyway, his chateau might need one.
Mind you, he won’t need to close any doors just yet as we have another heatwave due next week just as Mumo is about to fly back to the UK to see friends. It’s almost the end of September and I’m still in bikini and shorts although the nights are turning autumnal and require additional clothing. Once Mumo gets back, I’ll hopefully be able to get back up the hills in the, now cooler, early mornings with Arry, Alice and Sherman – Alice certainly needs to get her booty in check but in the meantime I still have the luxury of the pool and its balminess. And since it is still warm enough to eat outdoors, no doubt the barbecue will keep Roy and I from starvation as he moves into the main house to look after Mumo’s dog Sappy. It won’t be all fun and lazing about however, Roy has a few jobs on the list to do like putting a new socket in the covered area below my apartment so that Denis and I can build the outdoor kitchen. We might be needing it at Christmas at this rate…
“The morning had dawned clear and cold, with a crispness that hinted at the end of summer” (George R.R Martin)
Widow plus woofs 