It's Raining Again
It’s raining again. That's a phrase I didn't expect to use, living here in the South of France. I returned to Menton last weekend, imagining constant sunshine. I had spent a brief but very pleasant sojourn in England—catching up with friends and family, getting the final things out of storage ready to be transported to France and of course checking out what's new in John Lewis.
At 4am last Saturday, I was woken by window-rattling thunder and simultaneously, spectacular lightning. It rained persistently until Monday morning, I didn’t step out of the door for the whole of Sunday. Fortunately the apartment stayed snug and dry but it rained so heavily that the library was flooded and water got into the church. In the library, no books were damaged but several of the photographs, put up ready for the forthcoming exhibition, fell from the sodden walls—it was as well that they weren't irreplaceable watercolours. Further afield there were mini mudslides and swollen rivers. The weather was so bad that the mayor took the decision to cancel the final procession of the Fête du Citron (all tickets reimbursed but all that preparation and practicing wasted—such a disappointment).
By Monday morning, the sky was blue, the sun was warm and the pavements dry, allowing the massive figures to be stripped of their fruit and dismantled. The bleachers, that had lined the routes were removed and the citrus fruit and plants sold. The Fête du Citron is all over until next year.
The sun did come out during the week but on Friday it started pouring with rain again. There were worries about that evening's vernissage for the photographic exhibition in the library but a good number of stalwarts braved the rain and enjoyed an interesting talk, the fabulous photos and a glass of champagne.
The library was busy on Saturday, books and scrabble competed with talk of preparations for the church kermesse (fete, to you and me), which will take place in the church on the 16th March. Mountains of clothes, jewellery, bric a brac and books have been donated and sorted, the Tombola tickets are ready, cakes are being baked and the judges are ready for the great Menton marmalade competition. I do sometimes wonder, if I am living in a Barbara Pym novel.
I plan to use the moving of pews and putting up of trestle tables for the Kermesse, as training for the 149km of the Camino to be undertaken in May. The walk is a personal challenge but if I can, I aim to raise some money for the community that has made me feel so welcome. The link below is to my Just Giving page and, although it says the diocese all the money donated will go to St John's church—specifically to the upkeep of this beautiful building, which has a rather chequered history. The church was built in the 1867 for the numerous English winter visitors—amongst its congregation was Edward, Prince of Wales and purportedly Queen Victoria. Twenty years later it was damaged in the Ligurian earthquake—the bell tower fell and was never replaced. In the 1990s the mayor wanted to demolish the church to allow for residential building but was overruled by Menton residents. The final insult came this century, when the construction of a nearby apartment block threatened the church's foundations, causing near collapse and it had to be rebuilt.
Now, some good news, on a personal level. I have had a piece of flash fiction accepted for an anthology to be published in June. It was a wonderful surprise when I received the email (partly because I had completely forgotten that I had sent the story off in the first place!). It is always good to have validation of your efforts. I will let you know as soon as I have more details.
Talking of publication, the editing process is well under way for Hidden, my next book. I should have the manuscript back by Easter, so that I can make the necessary changes and send it on its way to the next stage...
I am hoping that as I am on my journey, walking to Santiago de Compostela, my book will be on its own journey to publication.
I plan to read some new publications soon but over the last couple of weeks, this is what I have read:-
As in England always carry an umbrella
ReplyDeleteWill do. It'll keep the sun off on brighter days. 😎
DeleteAs always a pleasure to read your blog. I must just have missed you because I’ve been down in Cambridge for the last three weeks sorting things. I’m in Scotland again now. Unusually, there was more rain in Cambridge and surrounds than I’ve seen for years. I think it’s been a very wet winter everywhere. Good luck with your walk - it’s something I’ve always wanted to do too. Xx
ReplyDeleteThank you. xx
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