Magical Garden

French Journal Day 121 (Travel Diary Day 201)

I was on the 3rd floor when the front door rang yesterday afternoon. Rachel was elsewhere but didn’t hear it. A small monitor on the wall of the room I was in flickered on. It was showing me the view of the street from the front door. This house is filled with gadgets like this. No one was at the door, as far as I could see. Maybe some kids were playing tricks on us.

As I was looking at the monitor I was taking to myself. The self-chatter generally consisted of me saying ‘What on earth is this contraption?’ and ‘Blimey, it seems there’s no one there!’ This was all done to amuse myself which is why I was saying it in a kind of Mr Bean voice. I decided to make my way downstairs to the front door anyway, to scope out the situation.

When I reached the bottom of the stairs I noticed a person at the door. How had they escaped the monitor? It was a short woman. The camera was looking over her head.  As I went to open the door I thought, ‘oh, Jimmy, you idiot.’ I realised there was a chance she’d heard my self-talk through the speakers at the front door.

She was laughing when I opened the door. She’d heard it – we both knew it. There’s no way to compose yourself after that. She was dropping something off for the home owners. It was an awkward conversation to say the least. I thanked the short lady, said goodnight and learned a valuable lesson – only talk like Mr Bean when you’re sure you’re alone.

A couple of hours later at around 10:00pm we welcomed our first guest. This place is actually a B&B. After we greeted the gentlemen and gave him his keys, he went to his room. Rachel turned to me and said ‘Look at the state of your hair! You can’t meet people looking like that.’ She was right. What was once a collection of wiry pubes on my scalp has now become an interestingly woven nest. I’m worried I may have gone too far with it. No hairdresser will want a challenge like the one I’m currently sporting.

Today’s Photo – Les Jardins De Marquessac

Les Jardins De Marquessac has lots of hidden paths like this. It’s a photographer treasure trove at sunset.