Napoleon complex, Boules Museum and Houdini chicks

Yet again the man fitting the belt for my post-op weeks was late for our appointment.  First meeting he was 30 minutes late, last week I just received a ‘phone call as I was leaving to say that he couldn’t make the appointment at all and again this morning he was late.  The people in the shop said to go off for half an hour so I went off to visit a Museum I’d seen a sign for on my way through Guingamp – the Museum of Breton Boules! 

It turned out to be a corner of the Tourist Office but the assistant behind the desk was very helpful and photocopied without charge the Rules of Breton Boules which I collected after I’d had my delayed appointment so that was a real bonus.  There were all sorts of bowls on display, some wooden and studded all over with nails and some, probably the earliest ever used which were cannon balls.   Among bowls from various parts of the world there were two woods used by Tony Alcock, who was World Champion twice in outdoor singles  (1992 and 1996), and three times World indoor singles Champion (1986, 1987 and 2002).

The visit also led to a bizarre coincidence.  Last night I visited a road I had to look up on Googlelmaps to find from where I was collecting five Buff Sussex chicks.  The road was called rue Mathurin Méheut and was in Rostrenen.  While in the Museum of Breton Boules I was looking at not only different types of bowls but also pottery depicting bowls games and paintings.  I recognised the name of the artist – it was Mathurin Méheut. He has an exhibition being advertised too.

 

I had never heard the name before last night so how extraordinary to come across it again within 14 hours.  How strange coincidences are!

The very unpleasant man fitting the belt was shorter than I am and appeared to be suffering from Napoleon complex which according to Wikipaedia is “an informal term describing an alleged type of psychological phenomenon which is said to exist in persons, usually men, of short stature. It is characterized by overly-aggressive or domineering social behaviour, and carries the implication that such behaviour is compensatory for the subjects' stature.”  He was unpleasant and rude.  He didn’t apologise for cancelling last week or for being late today.  He took an inordinate amount of time to process the payment and swore – merde, merde, merde - all the way through the procedure.  I hope I don’t encounter him again.

The weather continues to be extremely hot and when JackieN came round this afternoon we sat out under the big parasol chatting.  She’s doing fine after her gastric bypass operation and it’s lovely to hear of someone else losing weight thanks to Dr Lechaux.  We went up to the field to see the new Buff Sussex chicks and it was only when I got back home again that I realised I’d lost my glasses.  It took some hunting for them to find them again and I was lucky not to tread on them – hard to see without glasses on!  

One of my Breton neighbours, Jean-Luc, came round for the first time ever.  He was asking if I could let him have some eggs as he had three very broody hens and didn't want to waste their broodiness.  I am hardly getting any eggs in this very hot weather, but managed to scrape together a dozen mixed eggs and he promised to let me have two young poussins which were born earlier this year.  As I've lost six Light Sussex hens to some predator on the field - the general consensus is pine martin or pole cat - I think I will incubate some Light Sussex eggs when I return from Cornwall after my granddaughter's birth - due in three days.

While we were up on the field we noticed that the four 5 week old Cream Legbar chicks had escaped through a small chick sized hole in the fence through to the goat field.  We had to round them up and mend the hole temporarily by weaving bailer twine into the gap.  Why is it that for all animals the grass is always greener ...?

It has been really hot and I've really enjoyed having the pool.  Here's Claude trying to make a decision ...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Right choice!

 

Jewel coloured nasturtians in the garden with the evening sun backlighting their petals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tomorrow will be the second anniversary of my mini gastric bypass operation.  I am still the same weight as I was last September and eat really well so am very happy. ?

Backlit poppy in the garden - lovely isn't it

 

Three things I like:

1.   My run which now has thirteen young chicks in it.  They are so cute!

2.   This gorgeous weather - perfect for a sunworshipper like me.

3.   Having really pleasant guests in Small Cottage this week.