Departures.

A lot of the funfair lorries packed up and left last night.  The rest are shipping out this morning.

Late last night, friends managed to get their lorry parked in front of the house and this morning loaded up our son-in-law’s furniture to take it to his new home in England.

This afternoon, my husband will be admitted into hospital for an operation.

Tonight, I will return to an empty town and house in centre ville.

The first chill of autumn touches the air.

Well...

that's how it was this morning.

This afternoon, we got to the hospital on time then had to sit outside the nurses' office on the ward for half-an-hour.  Then two nurses (one had some English) came to talk to us quickly followed by the surgeon who explained that it would not be possible for him to have the operation tomorrow as he has a mild urinary infection and they would not take the risk.  Having recently known sadly all too well about microbes, we appreciate the care but it is disappointing. 

But the warm sunshine is back too! 

Although I see that somebody has forecast that the UK (and we get similar weather here) is to experience four months of heavy snowfalls interspersed with heavy storms starting in November.  

Perish the thought! 

Here we go again…

Yes, it’s that time of year when the funfair comes to centre ville…

The event is to mark the fete patronale at the weekend but, this year, more time is being given to the fair people to set up and clear - well officially that is because previously they took the same time anyway! So, this year all who live and work in the town centre were given notice to park their vehicles elsewhere for a week, not just a couple of days.

The first few arrived on Tuesday, 20th September and more on Wednesday morning.

View from a first-floor front window...

...and from a side window...

Tip-toeing between and across many obstructions on the way back to the house on Thursday afternoon…

...not so easy when walking with great difficulty even on two crutches!

 

 No doubt the side of the house will soon fill up - see what Friday brings!  

Friday afternoon - and, like Topsy, it’s growing…

Unnervingly quiet on Saturday morning but at 4.00.p.m. the funfair burst into life...lights! music! action!

On y va!  - let’s go!

Time out.

Today, we enjoyed a late-afternoon drink outside the Auberge Hotel/Restaurant/Bar at Consenvoye.  It was warm and still sunny and a pleasant spot opposite the waters of the Canal Est and River Meuse.  The ducks were chattering and laughing as only they can do and neither they nor we minded the light passing traffic as people made their way home, or the old tractor chugging under a huge load of hay bales. Good to have time out and just relax and enjoy. 

Good too to have something to celebrate as we were returning from the hospital with the news that not for much longer will my husband have to put up with what has become a very painful hip.  He is to be admitted next Tuesday for a replacement-hip operation on Wednesday. 

Once again in this so-difficult year we can look forward to better times.

Above Mangiennes.

Whenever we return from the Duchy of Luxembourg and reach this point above the village of Mangiennes, we look at the distant hills and think of them as “the hills of home”.  Beyond them lies the town where we live.

Rather hazy yesterday…

This stopping point is beside a strange-looking building that we haven’t yet discovered what it is or what it was; perhaps a war-time building which has been adapted...but for what?  We really must make some enquiries…

On the bank at the side of the building, a group of cheery flowers…

after…1.

after…

my heart is heavy, weighed down with grief
and poetry has sunk like a stone in my soul
thoughts are jumbled, unclear
my footsteps falter as I try to find the path
which will lead me out of this dark place
as, with clouded eyes, I splash through my tears


Sheridan
07.02.68. - 20.08.16.

Friends

I posted this on Facebook this morning...

We have been blessed with such a lot of loving support these past few weeks that it seems appropriate to re-post this old one...

Friends

Friends are the links in the chain of our lives
More precious than a bright diamond band
Each friendship is jewel-like, to be admired
To protectively hold in your hand
Friends gathered in childhood and in our youth
Are with us throughout years of ageing
Other friendships are made along the way
Whenever our lives are a-changing
Treasure your friends as you go on life’s path
Befriend them when they need a shoulder
The warmth of their friendship will comfort you
When life seems to get a bit colder

© Ida Jones