A little splash of classic Bovinia. My mother, buying groceries in the village shop yesterday morning. She looks at my list. Mango chutney. Not knowing where to find it, or the word for chutney in German (there isn't one, but that is by the by) she asks for assistance. The first shop girl is flummoxed. She goes to get her boss. A rigorous search is carried out, only for Mum to be told that they're out of mango chutney, right now. The boss lady, no doubt wishing to keep the customer satisfied, says that if Mum had a fresh mango, she could make her own chutney! Genius. So do you have any fresh mangoes, asks Mum. Actually, no. Right then.
Half an hour later CG goes back to the shop to get some cheese. He runs a practiced eye along the 'ethical and exotic foods' shelf (it is not very long, but most eclectic in range). And what does he see? You got it - mango chutney. Jars of the stuff. Situation rescued.
On another tack, Sophie the duck died on Friday evening. We have no idea how. Her body was found in the dahlia bed. Johann cut a sad figure yesterday, mooching around quacking faintly (because drakes can't really quack) and poking his head into every corner, looking for his mate. The consensus was - having consulted with the neighbours, who take a keen interest in all things horticultural and animal - we needed to get a replacement, fast. Feeling slightly guilty, I looked in the local newspaper and sure enough, a lady in the next village was giving away runner ducks for free. We thought it best to wait a decent period of time - two days perhaps - to allow Johann to mourn, but when we rang her she said today would suit best. And so it turned out that, with Sophie's body still warm in the grave, Dolly was introduced to Johann. They are currently getting to know each other in a sectioned off corner of the garden. I hope she settles in soon, because her distressed quacking is - to say the least - rather disturbing, and I wouldn't put it past some of our ruthless farmer types to shoot her. Or complain to the mayor.
Half an hour later CG goes back to the shop to get some cheese. He runs a practiced eye along the 'ethical and exotic foods' shelf (it is not very long, but most eclectic in range). And what does he see? You got it - mango chutney. Jars of the stuff. Situation rescued.
On another tack, Sophie the duck died on Friday evening. We have no idea how. Her body was found in the dahlia bed. Johann cut a sad figure yesterday, mooching around quacking faintly (because drakes can't really quack) and poking his head into every corner, looking for his mate. The consensus was - having consulted with the neighbours, who take a keen interest in all things horticultural and animal - we needed to get a replacement, fast. Feeling slightly guilty, I looked in the local newspaper and sure enough, a lady in the next village was giving away runner ducks for free. We thought it best to wait a decent period of time - two days perhaps - to allow Johann to mourn, but when we rang her she said today would suit best. And so it turned out that, with Sophie's body still warm in the grave, Dolly was introduced to Johann. They are currently getting to know each other in a sectioned off corner of the garden. I hope she settles in soon, because her distressed quacking is - to say the least - rather disturbing, and I wouldn't put it past some of our ruthless farmer types to shoot her. Or complain to the mayor.
No comments:
Post a Comment