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Getting to know the Neighbours
We had already met the owners of the goats grazing on our land; the agent had introduced us to an elderly couple who lived in beautiful Breton Long House (Longere) to the rear of our garden. At the time the Agent explained that they had an arrangement with the previous owner to graze their three goats on the land and also house the goats within the barn. We thought that we should continue to do the same. There were far more advantages in continuing with the arrangement than in upsetting the locals. Evet and Eff were extremely pleased. We also had the added benefit of having our own Animal farm in our back Garden. The children loved this especially the youngest.
Evet and eff were I would say in their seventy’s and for their age extremely active and agile in comparison to couples of a similar age in the UK. They would both be up at the crack of dawn staking out the goats to graze then returning to planting or tending their field of vegetables. You would often see the old man cutting grass by hand using a sickle or feeding his livestock which consisted of chickens, geese, ducks and a large number of rabbits. We noted at least one hundred rabbits caged in hutches ranging from tiny babies to the fully mature type. We soon came to realise that they were not pets and that eff bred the rabbits for eating, exchange or barter.
On one of our first visits the elderly couple came over clasping a large fluffy Rabbit and we soon understood the word mange (meaning Eat in French) meant that the rabbit had not long for this world. They pointed to us gesturing that we could eat the Rabbit. We skilfully managed to turn down the offer and maybe gain a short reprieve for the poor critter.
Making Conversation
When relaxing in the Garden the couple would often wonder over for a chat. Their English was non-existent and our French not much better but they were patient with us would continuously repeating a word or phrase In French often gesturing profusely until we understood or nodded as if we understood. On our part we had the phrase book, thank god, which helped greatly. We soon realised that we needed to keep it close at all times especially when venturing out into the garden. They would make their way across the field would often pop over and make conversation. Out would come the phrasebook and we’d get by in most cases. I must say that I have learnt and remembered more French thanks to trying to communicate with the locals than using any other method. Funny but it’s true what they say. Get stuck in and try. The French in general appreciate the effort if you try, generally they do not get annoyed but enjoy teaching their mother tongue. Your French will improved in time. I also always make a point of learning a few extra words on every visit even if it’s just for the day and practice on the wife and children on my return to old blity.
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