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Tempers frayed

I woke this morning to the two lots of neighbours, who live opposite me, yelling at each other.  Now Marie-Jo does tend to talk in a very animated fashion and Jean-Pierre does try to ignore her but this was different.  Marie-Jo was clearly angry, pointing up at the roof and gesticulating wildly.  I have no idea what she was saying because the windows were closed but fury has no etc.   Jean Pierre, faced with this furious neighbour was still trying to ignore her, or maybe just trying to  keep the mandatory virus distance of 2 metres but that was never going to work.  She followed him to his car but not before she picked up her broom and threatened him with it.  The French can be very excitable and at least it was only a broom.  The last time I witnessed a neighbourly fallout was when Monsieur Toutee threatened Jean-Pierre with his gun.  Jean-Pierre can be annoying, like when he left my fridge and freezers unplugged while I was in  Spain for a month,  but there are only 6 houses so I figure it is best to forgive and forget.

The French, as we know, are rebels and don't like being told what to do, so President Macron telling them to stop going out  and learn social distancing has not been totally effective.  Yesterday I went for a walk round the lake and there they were, barbecuing, gathering together and generally  socialising.  I counted 25 people fishing, despite a large notice that said 'Fishing forbidden until the 3rd April.'

As I am isolated I am determined to keep fit as all sports facilities, including the tennis club, are closed.  Yesterday my walk round the lake was warm and sunny.  Today it was pouring with rain but I didn't care because while in the UK I bought a pair of waterproof walking boots in a sale.  After an hour's brisk walking I discovered that I had dry feet but my coat is not waterproof.

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