This is a very tranquil corner of the world. Life is simple and enjoyable, the weather plays an important role and is a daily topic, as are weather forecasts for the coming days. Then there is of course food, restaurants worth visiting and hints and tips about where one can by fresh produce. Not to mention wine. That can also get a long discussion going.
For Africa the main excitement of the past week has been the pheasant family that has chosen the area around our house as the new home. It is hard to be a hunting dog, a bird hunting dog, and not be allowed to go after those wonderful birds. In fact I think she finds it totally incomprehensible that we do not want her to bring home these juicy steaks? Why not? Would be great, and so good, she seems to say. She’d be happy to oblige.
However, the upcoming French elections are obviously also here, in full force. Everywhere one can hear people discussing the candidates, the latest debate etc. Filip has studied voting in the previous presidential elections 2012 here in Vaucluse, and just as everyone has said, FN dominates. Except for one little village, Lourmarin. Anyone seen Asterix and Obelix around? But, having said that, one must also remember that Marine le Pen does not have support over 30% anywhere. Even here it is around 25%. And that is not enough to govern, nor to take the presidency – I hope.
Spring cares little about world politics, and although we do not have leaves on all trees yet, when temperatures rise well above 20 in the afternoons, it feels more like early summer than spring. The oaks are starting to get green, not all of them however, they are remarkably different, and the first yellow flowers are appearing around the house. Soon it will be a cascade.
While all this is happening protests are mounting in Finland against the asylum policy of the government, thank God, Xi Jinping has visited Finland on his way to the US, Trump is his usual self and, good news, Bannon is out of the security council. Articles in the press suggest that the economy is slowly getting better in Europe, bringing with it more hope and positive news for the EU, in spite of Brexit. And atleast at the moment it does not seem linely we will get a Frexit.
O S M A F Frankenhaeuser 