When lockdown was announced, a massive wail went up from ladies all over France - no hairdressers and no beauticians! O M G!!! What were we ladies to do? Our hairdressers sent out dire warnings about trimming fringes, home colouring and DIY hair cuts - wait they said, it will all be OK, and we will have more to work with, to make you look beautiful. The two tone hair look was accepted for once. Similarly for beauticians - they sent out advice and a long list of DO NOT DO THIS AT HOME, as well as DO TRY THIS AT HOME strictures, and many started to get their products ordered on line and made available at Drive pick up points.
With deconfinement however, life can get back to normal - or sort of normal anyway. In the interests of this blog, and more importantly for my own peace of mind, I had an appointment today at the beauticians. The rules are strict - arrive on time, not early; wear a facemask; bring the minimum into the place with you; use the gel at the entrance on your hands on arrival. Once installed in your treatment room, it was also clear that the nice soft coverings had been removed and paper towels cover the treatment bed. When you have to remove your facemask, you have to remain silent until you put your mask back on. When I booked my next appointment, Noemie said that I would need to follow the same rules again. "It's sad," she said, "but I can't see it changing for a while." In faultless French of course.
There is an option for a voluntary contribution to the extra costs of maintaining strict hygiene, as they try to avoid increasing prices - I added a few coins to the pot. We are all in this together after all.
The outward face of the house is looking rather splendid at the moment, as I have tended that rather than my own façade. The geraniums I got from Aldi last year made it through the winter, and a bit of TLC meant they are blooming fit to bust.
The canna lilies, lemon verbena and vine are also looking very lush just now, although it will be a few months before the cannas flower.
The climbing rose that John pruned a bit late now has flowers.
And I am very pleased with my semper vivum drainpipe planters.
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