Of course a bunch of good-byes are headed my way but I didn’t count on any this soon. Ah well, we come and we go in this life. Saturday past Neil and I sat with our French neighbours extraordinaire, Jean-Claude and Jacqueline, for what will likely be the last time in a long while. Now if you’ve read the book, you’ll remember JC—the larger than life, previously fantasized to be a shady character (in reality anything but), man about Semur. They are off to their home in Morocco for a few months and by the time they return, I’ll be unpacking boxes at the Peace Palace (better suggestions anyone?).
And, like always, he and the Madame came bearing gifts, this time a cold bottle of excellent champagne and photos. Mon Dieu!
I love this guy’s joie de vivre and sense of adventure and bien sûr his kindness. Imagine the effort for these shots!
He’s a daredevil for sure but he did tell me to say that he does not endorse reading and driving. We were lucky to have such wonderful and colourful neighbours here in France. I’m sure there are all kinds of interesting neighbours to be had in Switzerland but these folks will be hard to top.
Merci Jean-Claude et Jacqueline, for the wine, the tagine, the Moroccan tea, sugar, saffron and shoes, for the photos, for the stories, for everything. Bon courage.
Such wonderful friends—and such a great vehicle! Did he drive it there and back again, or is it a permanent fixture there? It’s difficult to tell!
Only a man who can pull off a sleeveless shirt, leather vest and a tattoo would dream of driving a pink whatever that is! I admire his sense of style.
I call shotgun.
I’ve been following your blog since I read about it in the Globe & Mail (I think) and enjoyed it so much, I got the book at Moncton’s Chapters where I live. The funny thing is that I have stayed in Semur for a week-end quite some time ago. 28 years to be exact!!! I remember because I was pregnant with my son and had spent a few days travelling in a small boat on the “Canal de Bourgogne”. So I could vaguely remember what it looks like. In France for a vacation, I attended a wedding in Aisey-sur-Seine this past week-end and went through Semur on my way and back. Traveling with others, I was disappointed not to be able to stop and spent a bit of time to find some of the spots illustrated in your blog. But I did see the “Hotel de ville”. I cheated! I was driving and followed the sign “centre ville” instead of “Montbard”. I opened my eyes wide but didn’t see any sign of a Newfoundland giraffe. Enjoy the rest of your stay in Semur.
Oh my, are those bullets in Monsieur’s hatband?
Crazy pink machine!
Goodbyes can be hard, but in this age of instant communication, perhaps a bit easier.
How wonderful to have your book on a tracter! This is probably a record is it not?
That is pretty cool!!
I love your neighbour – a French Crocodile Dundee non?