Something about Medville

west to the Îles d’Hyères

Medville is the sort of place where it is easy to be happy.
Apart from the sea – ah, the Med! – the beaches, the port and the little town, all with the mountains as a backdrop, there are fascinating corners of enchantment everywhere.
Such as the Secret Garden, the Broken Steps, the Great Pine, and the Forbidden Jetty.
And, of course, the little café in the square.
Today I spent some time on the Forbidden Jetty, with its incomparable views east across the bay to Cap Lardier and west to the Îles d’Hyères.
On my way homeward I stopped into a portside café, Chez Alain.
There I met Mon, with whom I have often entertaining bi-lingual conversations.
He enjoys practising his English on me, but it is slightly inferior to even my French.
So we tend to alternate languages, depending on the topic of conversation.
He is a cool dude, works on construction projects, is usually barefoot, and is dread-locked.
He tells me he is on vacation.
I laugh, and ask what, with him, is the difference.
His eyes light up.
The smile, he says.
Later I visit the little café in the square.
My friend Rafa is in fine form.
The music blares, he dances and jokes and even, occasionally, serves a customer.
He sees a scooter approach.
Ho, Eric, he calls.
The rider dismounts, and they greet each other in the French way.
I just stopped to say hello, says Eric, putting his helmet on, I have no money.
C’est pas grave, says Rafa, it doesn’t matter, and he pours a glass of rosé.
To round off a nearly perfect day, it is the birthday of Ginny, the waitress.
Her friends repeatedly sing Happy Birthday/Joyeux Anniversaire, mainly in English, more appallingly discordantly than I have heard in a very long lifetime.
It is quite wonderful.
One young lady decides that the occasion is best celebrated by dancing on the counter top.
Ginny soon joins her.
Rafa refills Eric’s glass.
Everyone has fun.
Medville is magic.
I am happy here.

Happy Birthday/Joyeux Anniversaire