What a mess! – Quel chantier !

The trench digging machine has returned to the rental firm and we’re left with a big mess. I wonder how long it will take for it to return to normal? La trancheuse est repartie tournée à la maison de location et il ne reste plus que le gros chantier. Je me demande combien de temps il …

In the Trenches – Dans les tranchées

We’ve hired a trench-digging machine for two days so that Jean Michel can install an automatic watering system. The only problem is the very clayey soil and large number of rocks. When I went to buy some more petrol in jerrycans this morning for the little gas-guzzler, I learnt that starting today until after New Year, …

Misty Morning – Matin dans la brume

I’ve called this Misty Morning because that’s when I took the photo but it’s pretty well misty-all-the-time at the moment. You may rememberr this same spot in the summer in the photo below. Astonishingly enough, there are buds on the lilac bush on the left of the first photo. J’ai appelé cette photo “Matin dans …

The Touraine Knife Sharpener – Le rémouleur de Touraine

I’ve posted a photo of this knife grinder at Blois market before but his stall looked so much like an amateur stage set today that I couldn’t resist. J’ai déjà posté une photo de ce rémouleur au marché de Blois déjà mais son stand faisait tellement décor de théâtre amateur aujourd’hui que je n’ai pas pu …

Orléans Court of Justice – Palais de justice d'Orléans

This is the main court room in the Orléans Court of Justice designed by François_Narcisse Pagot and inaugurated in 1824. Below you can see the outside. The sculptures and bas-reliefs are by Romagnesi. Among other things, it contains the Appeal Court where I was sworn in yesterday as an expert translator which means I can …

The Two Joans – Les deux Jeanne

I have to confess that I had not seen the second Joan of Arc when I took this photo in Orleans today of the Christmas market on Place du  Martroi. It was Jean Michel that pointed it out. The 4.40 metre-high bronze statue designed by Denis Foyatier was inaugurated in 1855. P.S. The City Daily …