Suddenly summer!
Bursts in the fields, on the stands;
Yellow, red, golden.
Place Jean Jaures on a fine Saturday morning in the first days of summer is slowly coming alive as the stall holders–chatty and enthusiastic–finish setting up.
Meredith and I drive down the road beside the market at seven minutes past seven–and look at each other in astonishment–we made it! And it’s registering a mere 20C/ 68F.
The forecast is 38C/100F later in the day.
By 9am it will be hotter and more crowded; by 11am, a sweltering throng and much of the new summer fare, bought and carried off.
It pays to be early birds as summer starts to deliver.
Sunday morning 6.30am and our resident golden oriole is warbling a modest ‘good morning’ as I step unsteadily into the road to begin my first early morning walk of the summer.
It’s a surprise to feel a pleasant misty spray on my face after the intense heat of Saturday. Slowly the pistons and crankshaft start to loosen up and the old engine begins to move up the hill.
Thoughts unbidden pop into mind.
One of the joys of walking–unbidden thoughts. Couldn’t see the wood for the trees–my mother would say–last night, but the old computer left to its own devices has sorted things out overnight and gently suggests a solution to a problem.
Of course–why didn’t I think of that?!
I stop, half-turn–doing my best not to fall over– and give a desultory wave to whoever it is in the large white van looming up behind me. Could be Lionel, our plumber, going to work on the house he’s building; could be Serge on his way to pick up his son for the weekend.
I walk on past a field of wheat that has turned golden in the heat of the last few days.
As I crest the hill I see in the distance the white van returning and think, “ah yes, Serge and son”. Then a ways behind the van, a lumbering noise with two headlights, descending. The mind, clearer now from the climb, twigs. Not Serge, but Celine in the van and Pierre driving the monster which is a garlic harvester* –and they are heading for their vast field of pink garlic to begin the annual harvest.
I barely survive as Pierre–looking anxious–edges past me and heads on for a long day mining his and Celine’s fortune.
Garlic gath’rers pass,
Leaving the scent in the air;
It’s that time again.
Life is far from dull for early birds.
*Meredith captured Pierre and Celine harvesting a few years ago.
Robin Ellis 
Perfect! Thanks for taking us on your beautiful walk.
Pleasure, Linda.
Robin, you have such a way with words. Almost poetic. Thanks for your blog about your life. Your everyday doings seem so special, more so as we in the states don’t have the same opportunity to walk to the markets and shop for garden fresh things…or even know what is going on in the neighbor hood. Too many Americans live behind the walls of their homes busy with their own “busy-ness”. Thanks.
Thank you, Rosella
Thank you, Robin, for sharing the delightful everyday adventures that you, Meredith and your furbabies have. I am a ‘senior’ living in the US and coping with progressive MS. I have found over the years that as I become more and more house bound I take greater joy in enjoying my husband’s jokes, our cat’s antics, the beauty from the flora and fauna of our adjoining forest and the travels and experiences of our friends. I SO enjoy your newsletter’s peek into your lives. Thank you, again.
Thank you, Nan and long may you enjoy husband’s jokes, cat antics, the flora and fauna and the travel tales!
What a lovely trip through a beautiful place. Thank you!
Hi Robin. Your writings remind me of the book by Peter Mayle on life in Provence. I see on a map that Lautrec is not in Provence but the photos remind me of it (remembering the series based on the book). The south of France, and the Tuscany region of Italy are the only places I really long to visit someday… the scenery, the food, the relaxed way of life. Stay cool.
Hope you make it soon!
It’s wonderful to read this and be able to picture the whole thing – even that pink garlic! You brought it all back wonderfully Robin. Hope you’re both enjoying the summer so far and not too hot xx
Hi and thank you, Rachel–yes we are fine if a little sweaty and it’s only just July! Love to you and Paul.
!
It’s been several years since I’ve been in Europe – Thank you for helping me ‘feel’ it again..
Time to return, Theresa!
I really enjoy the updates on your life in Lautrec. (My fantasy village would be Puycelsi.) I am looking forward to the release of your new cookbook and the Poldark podcast.
Thanks,Jayne.
Puycelsi’s a lovely place.
What a lovely picture you paint!
Thanks, Annie.
I just want you to know Robin that I follow your blog with huge enjoyment and as we grumble at the mimosa paraqeets in the next garden in Canonbury I suddenly feel excited about getting to France! Let’s meet up!
Love Susanna (Susie) Rook
Lovely to hear from you, Susie and thank you. I have emailed you.
What a lovely walk. Sadly I cannot walk far these days but do appreciate reading all about yours & that Pink Garlic sounds delightful . Thank you for all your News Letters & especially your recipes !!
A short walk, Jill, is well known these days to be well worth it!
Ditto to others’ comments. An idyllic life, beautifully described so that others may share your pleasures. Making your quinoa salad, as I’m about to do, will be another reminder of Robin, Meredith and Lautrec.
Nancy, Santa Fe
Ah, Sante Fe–we loved it.
Oh, those French markets. I love them and wish I was there again. Saint Antonin Noble Val was my favourite.
You paint a lovely picture of your life in France.
Looking forward to your next story. Love from the Netherlands!
Yes St Antonin is amazing on a Sunday–thanks Nell.
Lovely, just lovely. I felt like I was walking along with you.
Thanks, Victoria.
Looks beautiful there and you have a fantastic market.
Hello Mr. Ellis,
Always a pleasure to read your posts.
Have you any plans for visiting the US East coast this year?
Has your cuisine school started up again?
Best regards to you both,
Michael Peters
https://thetrouveres.com
Thanks Michael.
No plans to restart cooking classes. We’ll be in NYC in October.
I thought I sent this earlier but don’t see it so perhaps I left out a step — I hope this isn’t a duplicate! After reading this post, I read two references in the latest book by Charles Finch, “The Vanishing Man,” to the Latin phrase, “solvitur ambulado,” to describe one of the main character’s preferred ways to solve problems by walking. Talk about synchronicity!
I love the smell of garlic during harvest—I enjoy the breezes wafting up from Gilroy!
Marina in the Valley of Heart’s Delight CA