September is the Rentrée - the return to work, to school, to sports groups and to the serious job of earning enough money to pay for Christmas and two months off in July and August next year.
People are more into good resolutions at this time of year, and it is no coincidence that it is the month when every area has its Forum des Associations or the period when they drum up membership for their club or group. If you go to these sessions, it is a fairly testosterone fuelled and aggressive event.
The Yummy Mummies need to get young Florence signed up for gymnastics, baton twirling, extra reading and creative arts, while the boy Paul needs to be kept occupied with football, judo, table tennis and perhaps a bit of music. Then the clubs themselves want to sign up young Florence for football, basketball, judo and (if she looks lithe enough) baton twirling, and are eyeing up Paul in case he looks like trouble. The four different yoga groups are vying for numbers, while the sewing group that supports the Chateau and the Opera need people with nimble fingers and an ability to make clothes with dodgy pieces of discarded bed linen and curtains.
It is also a time to reconnect with people after focussing on family and travel for two months. A group I belong to holds a quiz and wine tasting each September so that people can restock their dwindling wine supplies while catching up, and trying to prove who has the best general knowledge. This was our first time taking part, and we can confirm we have the best general knowledge, with only 7 wrong answers out of 60. I was let down by an imperfect knowledge of the 10 Commandments and the jewels attached to specific wedding anniversaries.
Friday night was the dishing out of Comice tombola prizes and the donation of a large cheque to a breast cancer charity. I was there to collect a prize on someone's behalf.
Saturday was our favourite event of the year - the Societé de la Paix's annual mechoui or pig roast. About a hundred of us get together for a lot of sangria, a lot of food and wine, a lot of laughs and a fabulous atmosphere. This year we were a little concerned as the forecast was 35ºC in the shade, and it certainly hit that, but interspersing the wine with a lot of cold water meant we were OK.
Then yesterday, friends were passing through the area on their way south, so we had to meet for lunch in Saumur and catch up after not seeing each other for years. As well as being CEO of a large company, one of our friends is also a very accomplished potter, so we were delighted to receive a couple of his works. They are both functional and beautiful.
The new trail camera is up and running. I'm still getting used to it and the question of batteries is a big aspect of that. Currently it is up in the orchard, waiting for the walnut and boar season, but is catching a few images of a fox that has appeared in the zone. It also got attacked by a greattit - I know that word shouldn't run together but the profanity checkers on many systems are stupid and stupidly sensitive too.
Well that's it for today - I'm now going to recover from all that sociable activity and deal with the current glut of figs and quince.
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