Archive Article: 2001/05/18
TODAY is National Dawn Chorus Day and we have our usual lodgers recently installed in last years nests which I had planned to dispose of once the housemartins had flown in the autumn. But, as with many things, I still havent got round to doing it and now it is too late. They are back.
Theyre pretty chirpy considering how cold it is at the moment, but then they have other things on their minds according to someone on the radio this week. The reasons are two-fold, one being the mating game, the males are singing to attract a partner, and the other is an early call for everyone to go hunting for still snoozy insects and grubs. So far they havent roused me, and Tim has usually flown his own cosy nest before they start.
Yesterday we went to the mairie for an official presentation because our ex-mayor retires from service. The forecast had been for good weather over the weekend, so optimistically, the table for champagne and petit fours was laid outside but it was just a little too cold and windy in spite of the sun and the speeches were carried away through the trees. We will have to buy the local paper to see what was said by the local dignitaries.
As a matter of interest, I was telling a neighbour about it being Dawn Chorus Day and asked he how it translated into French. She looked bemused, hardly seeming to know of its existence which I find a little sad, but looking the term up in the dictionary, its called le concert matinal des oiseaux. How appropriate that I heard the first cuckoo yesterday, too.
Work off the farm has taken an interesting turn, Ive just started working at the casino in Deauville. No, not as a bunny. The staff are having English lessons. Working in companies is interesting and usually includes a factory visit as part of the course, but I have to say there are certain kudos that come with this particular venue, making the extra mileage worthwhile. To get in behind the scenes (to the training room) Im escorted each time by a smartly dressed courier who leads me through the casino and mirrored glass wall into the rabbit warren of offices behind. The first time I went he took me to the classroom, then, on a quick inquiry (five minutes to spare) he led me back down to the loos. "Can you find your way back?" he said. "Oh sure, thanks, er… perhaps not." "Ill wait," he said with a smile. Two minutes later I opened the door and there he was ready to take me back. I can manage that bit alone now.
Last night, by coincidence, Tim and I went to the Trou Normand (Calvados) dinner which was held in the casino. The trick with Calvados as a digestive is to knock it back in one to clear the hole in the stomach for the rest, so I did – well, at least I knew where the staff loos were if I let myself down.