Tuesday 15 May 2007

Un Peu Loufoque and the Black Stallion

I was aroused this morning ,when it was still dark, from my fitful sleep, disturbed by vivid dreams of black stallions and myself riding bareback, plunging deeper and deeper into dark forests, the pace ever quickening as we moved together as one, faster and faster, until I emerged panting and exhausted into startling sun light.

Goodness only knows why I should dream of such things but it has left me quite agitated and with a slight headache. It is most unlike me to dream at all, I have far more decorum. Perhaps it is the artist awakening in me? Or, possibly merely, the noises emanating from the stable block in the early hours as Madame Grognonne and Henri Le Cravacher attempted to swiftly and quietly manoeuvre its new resident into the stalls. I use the terms “swiftly and quietly” in the broadest possible sense as there was little evidence apparent, from where I lay listening, of them attempting to employ either. There was however a great deal of agitated whispering and clattering of hooves on the cobbled courtyard and several muffled “gros mots” when the horse in question trod on its handler's toes.

I have the latter information from Eldest who brought me my tea this morning as Madame Grognonne is feeling a little bruised and unable to make the stairs, nor apparently, sit down for more than a short period at a time, as a result her last night's escapades.

The day is dark and damp, and heavy with thunder reverberating around the hills and the sky full of rain. Neither a day for a picnic nor, apparently, a day to make one's acquaintance with one's new horse. Monsieur Le Cravacher has advised we leave him undisturbed in the stables so that he might settle and become accustomed to his new home. Meanwhile he and Madame Grognonne are planning to be close at hand in the hay loft above to meet any needs he may have. It is hoped that once the storm has passed and he has calmed down we may be able to harness him and take him out for a jaunt tomorrow either very early in the morning or late in the evening so as to avoid meeting other traffic.

I am reliably informed by Eldest that Monsieur Le Cravacher feels it is better we take things gently at first in case he becomes unnecessarily agitated. I do hope I have done the right thing in purchasing this horse! He does sound, to my non equestrian mind, a trifle flighty and highly strung for a carriage horse. I am not utterly convinced it is an awfully good sign that I can still hear the rhythmic sound of his hooves drumming against the stable floor and kicking out violently at the closed doors.

Eldest has brought me luncheon in bed, thoughtfully prepared in advance by Madame Grognonne before she took up stable duty for the afternoon. A simple repas of quails eggs , veal in a white wine sauce and a junket together with a restorative glass of champagne and brandy for my nerves as I am feeling slightly jaded.

What with the absence of Chief Patissier, the worrisome rollicking in the stable block and the unseasonable weather I have decided I would de eminently better off in bed languishing on my pillows for the remainder of the day with the blinds drawn. Thus I may perhaps sleep, perchance to dream of wild black stallions once more.

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This illustration a sketch of a horse by Leonardo de Vinci. The image speaks for itself. I need say no more.

16 comments:

Sally Townsend said...

A daily dose of your brilliance is just the ticket. You get funnier and funnier if that were indeed possible !! I am printing off all your stories and placing them in a very fine folder for my guests perusal here at Le Chateau.

Pondside said...

Oh that dream - I think I've had it too...and I've never had a horse!
Can't wait for the next installment. It's addictive!
Re the deer-scarer - would you send a link? I agree that the deer are lovely, and there really is nothing sweeter than a doe and two spotted fawns, but they belly up to the rhodos and cedars like men at an all-you-can-eat buffet. Part of me wants to just give up and 'live and let live' and part of me wants to take up the offer from a First Nations colleague, to come over and dispatch of a couple with bow and arrow (completely legal). The deer population has burgeoned because there are few natural predators left - although my closest neighbour had a cougar on his property last night. I have little hope that it will scare off the deer - I fully expect that they are actually hiding in my garden shed.

muddyboots said...

mme, riding bareback is not a good idea unless you have a copious amount of copedex glue pasted on your legs. a nice basket saddle is just the ticket. you can sit, in reasonable comfort, surveying the world about you without having to risk bow legs from riding astride. side saddle is an alterantive but you would of course need the outfit plus hip flask for dutch courage.

Suffolkmum said...

Yes, I can picture you riding side saddle! A day languishing in bed sound like just the ticket.
I do think you should try and publish these.

Exmoorjane said...

Ah indeed, riding horses in dreams - very symbolic! My dear friend the dream analyst suggests several options, to whit: your energy levels are low; your libido is up the spout (sorry, she;s very blunt); your emotions are running riot or you are about to have a spiritual revelation! Oh, and she muttered about hormone levels as well! So, all bases covered really. If it's any comfort, I often dream of them too! Not quite sure which explanation fits for me (possibly all). Gorgeous drawing - I love those horses....

snailbeachshepherdess said...

Errrr. that black horse ...wouldnt be the advent of monetary distress would it? Of TSB and LLoyds Bank fame? Has CP spent too much on the oil paints I wonder?
Have just caught up on last blog! I KNEW she wouldnt resist and would have to pull that cart!I JUST KNEW IT!

Eden said...

Golly, get of Freud's couch before he eats you for lunch!

Westerwitch/Headmistress said...

Good grief dreams of black stallions - really not quite the thing for a lady of your standing . . . think perhaps you had better get out of bed and go and have a very cold bath . . .twice . . .

Inthemud said...

All sounds very Freudian to me!!
Black stallions, bareback, plunging through forests!! OH Er!!!

Pipany said...

Yep, I'm with the Freud group too, Un Peu (although I actually think it's all a load of bull, that psychobabble). Your blogs are just brilliant! By the way, thank you for your comments today on mine, but it was only a writing exercise, not a reflection of my own life! xx

Bluestocking Mum said...

There has to be something in there from your subconscious. Black Stallions and bareback indeed!!

warm wishes
x

countrymousie said...

Rather like the idea that you were "aroused this morning" - but then saw it was a dream to which you refer! But then I read about the dream with dark horses, and barebacks - oh lordie, lordie - that will be the heavy weather. A very cold shower should fix you in no time - if you wish to be fixed that is!!

Withy Brook said...

Nuff said about black horses. I just wonder whether the activities of Mme Gregonne and Monseuir Le Caravacher in the hay loft are assisting the horse to settle down?

Fennie said...

What can I say but that I have just printed out 22 pages of the chronicles and will retire with them to bed, to catch up and giggle under the duvet. No black stallions in these parts but the chronicles seem to teem with equine life sufficient for all comers.

Sorry about the little accident with the weather. Didn't realise it had stuck to my hat. Should have realised as it followed me all the way to France and all the way back. Trust normal service has now been restored in time for Ascension. But you did need the garden watering did you not? So I was only doing you 'un petit service.'

Incidentally I came across in France a piece of graffiti that I am either too old, too stupid or too innocent to understand - can you help? - It said in best franglais F*** the Blaireaux (badgers) What is that about?

CAMILLA said...

Heavens, I had a dream last night also, and woke to the most banging headache, I do love your pictures Un Peu. Champagne in bed, ah, wonderful. Thank you so much for GORGEOUS picture of two ladies, one drinking tea. I have left a message for you on there, Merci, Un Peu.Camilla.x

CAMILLA said...

Dear Un Peu, Thank you so much for leaving details on the gorgeous picture of two ladies drinking tea, by the artist, MARY CASSATT. I will check the website to see if I may be able to purchase this as a poster print. Merci, once again Un Peu.
Camilla.xx