A STORY OF QUERULOUSNESS IN QUIMPER, FRANCE
‘It’s unusual in that it bends in the middle to match the contours of its location and avoid an area of swamp,’ Agnes read from the guide.
‘Probably couldn’t build it right,’ muttered Archie.
Agnes gave him a withering look and carried on reading from the pamphlet. ‘Some have suggested the odd shape of the cathedral’s inclination to the left as representing Christ’s head leaning to the left on the cross.’
Someone tutted and shooshed in Agnes’ direction as her commentary disturbed the solemn peace in the cathedral. Unhindered she opened her bag and after a fair amount of rustling found the boiled sweet she had been searching for. ‘Want one?’ she offered it to Archie.
Archie shook his head and left her to follow the guidebook round the building. As he walked away he heard the crinkling of the wrapper being unfurled and caught the grumbles of those seated near to Agnes.
It wasn’t that Archie wasn’t impressed by Quimper cathedral, it was perfectly fine as a grand gothic monument, it was just that he had lost count of the many churches and cathedrals and grand old buildings he had been dragged round over the last fortnight.
Agnes had been insistent on booking the holiday. ‘Who knows what hoops we’ll have to jump through to get to France this time next year,’ she said, referring to the ongoing and unending chaotic process that was Britain leaving the European Union. Archie was fairly sure that whatever the outcome, they would still be able to vacation anywhere in Europe, but it was easier to go along with Agnes when she set her mind to something.
They had shared many enjoyable breaks in France before, however, they had stuck to the main cities: Paris; Nice; Marseilles. This trip was different. For a start it was a coach tour which meant they were on the travel company’s timetable and itinerary and were stuck with the group of fellow travellers crammed into the bus with them.
Agnes had, of course, struck up a number of friendships along the way with other couples, whether they desired her company or not. Archie had resolutely stayed in the background, speaking only when required to do so out of politeness. Occasionally he spotted the look of sympathy directed his way from other passengers as Agnes volubly gossiped with them. Not that any individual on the tour was particularly objectionable, it was more that collectively the group of pensioners and retirees reminded Archie of how old he had become.
He thought back to his youth, when he had first visited France he had been in his early twenties. He had jumped on a ferry from Dover, hired a car and toured Brittany and Normandy, with a final carefree stay in Paris, and all the romance that that city imbued. This was before he had met Agnes of course, and he never did tell her of his hedonistic fortnight with Berenice.
Ah, Berenice. There had been nothing like that on this holiday. Quimper was to be their final stop before heading back to England.
‘Come on, Archie,’ he heard Agnes call across the hushed cathedral. ‘Time to get back on the bus.’
Archie sighed and headed back to the grand entrance doors. Age rather than Brexit would make this the last time he would see France, or Europe, but for the future generations that were to follow, he hoped that the opportunity to explore the wonders of different cultures and societies would not be inhibited.
‘Coming, dear,’ he mouthed back at the beckoning Agnes. He looked forward to resting his feet on the coach and falling asleep as they trundled back to Calais and the English Channel.
Written as part of The A to Z Challenge 2018. Click HERE for more details of the challenge.
Each day in April we will visit a different town or city in the European Union, whose name will begin with the letter of the day – today it’s catching up with some regular characters from my blog fiction in Quimper, France – for a story based on a theme also corresponding to the same letter.
Over the course of the month and 26 stories, we will visit all 28 member countries to complete a farewell tour before Britain leaves the political union next year, touching on the history, politics, culture and people at the heart of Europe.
For a full list of stories and places visited, visit here: THE A TO Z CHALLENGE 2018.
To read more stories featuring Agnes and Archie, visit here: THE AGNES AND ARCHIE STORIES.
That was something he shared with Berenice- wonder what Agnes would say if she got heed. https://akswrites.com/2018/04/19/que-sera-sera-atozchallenge-blogchattera2z/
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I’m sure they’ve been together for so long now she would understand it was before he met her 🙂
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thank you for the wry smile. I look forward to reading some more of you A-Z adventures. I went to India with an organised tour, it seemed to be the only way I would get to see some tigers in the wild. Indian trains are quite something.
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Something many of us (of a certain age) can relate to! 😉
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This reminded me of the Topdeck tour I was on, when I went to France. I was the oldest on board and boy, didn’t I feel it?! Great story
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Thanks Sarah, I’m sure you fitted in with those youngsters 😉
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Ah, I was wondering when you’d be bringing Archie and Agnes into this series. Nice, quirky story, Iain. Loved the bit of backstory to Archie.
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I think you should introduce Agnes to Keith’s friend Rosey 😀
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Oh yes, they would get on wonderfully well 🙂
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Thank you – they had to make an appearance of course 🙂
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Poor old Archie has the patience of a saint! I only live 50 miles or so across the water from France and the thought of not being able to pop over for lunch, as I often do, is awful!
A-Z of My Friend Rosey!
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Here’s hoping they sort something out so you still can without being frisked by the immigration services!
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Keith,
Popping over for lunch in France seems like a dream although I was there for 6 weeks many years ago. It’s along way from Sydney to Paris and even more expensive!
Best wishes,
Rowena
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Rather sad, yet often true. At least he has his memories. Excellent, Iain.
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A full life of them. Thanks Jennie.
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You’re welcome.
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France is one country I would love to visit. Somehow it has eluded me.
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Definitely worth visiting, I could spend every holiday there.
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Oh my this trip sounded quite torturous on poor Archie; wonder where he is heading next.
Q is for Quirky Roald Dahl #atozchallenge
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I think he would like to just head home to a comfy bed! Thanks for reading.
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What a lovely little tale 🙂 I would be ready to rest my feet on the coach too if I was Archie. Sounds like an odd design of cathedral (having only seen Monty Python and the Holy Grail yesterday, at the mention of swap I expect Sir Lancelot at any moment :)).
Tasha
Tasha’s Thinkings – Movie Monsters
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Haha, yes Monty Python would have fun with a wonky cathedral 🙂
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Ahh Paris and Nostalgia … a nicely put together story.
https://lonelycanopyblog.wordpress.com/2018/04/18/qissa-haveli-ka-a-tale-my-husbands-ancestral-house-within-the-pink-city/
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Thank you Seema 🙂
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My trips to England and France were similar to Agnes and Archie’s but, unlike poor Archie, I eagerly studied every bit of architecture I could lay my eyes on and every painting and sculpture too. Here in America, we do not have anything nearly as old as in Europe and I wanted to drink it in while I had the chance. I was a bit odd at thirteen (and before then and now) so I spent a lot of time educating my mother on every scrap of knowledge I had on art and architecture.
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I do remember being on holiday in Rome and catching the American tourists making comments, being astonished about how old everything was. Being from Europe it was nothing new to me (although Rome is magnificent), but it is easy to forget how little of America was built up only a couple of hundred years ago. And the old architecture is amazing, I’m with you on that one.
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Quimper, Brittany even 😉 I haven’t been back to the homeland in nearly three years, this was fun to read!
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I hope I did it proud for you Franck 🙂
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Oh yes, I was there again 😉 Thank you!
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Fun! I liked the bit where Agnes got shushed for reading aloud from the guidebook. I’ve embarrassed my husband doing that several times!
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Haha, thanks for reading and commenting Joy 🙂
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I know this couple.
(Nicely done as always!)
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We all know a couple like this – thank you 🙂
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Well, too much of something can definitely be a drudgery. I had an experience when I went to a flower show. I love flowers but after I got dragged around for more than half a day with a guide explaining everything about each flower including its scientific name and so on I was happy to head home finally. I sympathize with Archie 🙂
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Haha, you are right, everything in moderation 🙂
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Agnes struck up friendships whether they desired her company or not. I’ve met a few people like that! Thanks for bringing Agnes and Archie on this adventure too.
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Thanks Janet, glad you enjoyed catching up with them 🙂
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Got to love Agnes and Archie. I must admit not totally understanding the issue, though. Tourist money spends like any other type.
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Do you mean the issue of travelling from Britain to Europe? Well, we ‘re not sure how it will be resolved, but at the moment, as members of the EU we can travel from Britain to EU countries without needing Visas or other paperwork, we’re covered by EU Health insurance and other benefits, and we could go to live and work in any other EU country too. Once we leave, we will no longer have the right to do that, so it will become potentially more complicated, and definitely more expensive to visit.
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One of the benefits of hobnobbing with a multinational group of authors is that I get to sample other cultures and the politics of other nations.
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Exactly, it seems a shame to put up barriers that would make that exchange more difficult, but we shall see.
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We all tend to circle the wagons (American idiom) when we feel threatened.
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Poor Archie. Lovable Agnes (unless you’re sitting next to her on that coach!)
I may be too much of a dreamer but I sincerely hope Brexiting will spare the free movement of tourists (at least). Watch and see, as they say. So let’s see.
I’m curious about your process Iain. How did you pick the names of cities/spots you’ve used in this challenge?
Q is for Quotes on my fridge door in Qatar
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I sincerely hope free movement is not affected, but the British government seem to be dead set against it at the moment, which is a travesty. I picked a place to fit each letter first, and narrowed down one for each country – Q was tricky, and Quimper was about the only one I could find in Europe, so that had to be Q, which ruled out France from the other letters (alas, no trip to Paris!). Some I knew from the start – Glasgow is my home city so had to pick that one for the British story. By a process of elimination I managed to get one city or town from each country – plus a couple of border towns so i could fit 28 countries into 26 stories! Took a bit of planning 🙂
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Wow! That’s really impressive and inspiring Iain. Thank you for the hard work: it’s been a pleasure visiting these places through your stories.
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Loved Archie’s backstory. Great write as usual.
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Thank you 🙂
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Ah yes, the quieter spouse. Still waters run deep. I bet he’s really happy with her, although he might not admit it.
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Thanks Liz, you are right, they are happy and have reached an age where they know how to tolerate each other’s annoying habits!
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I like how you narrate, especially the details which make the story so real. It seemed as if I’m watching a video clip from their life.
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Thank you, very kind 🙂
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A very fun story, Iain.
I admire Archie’s patience. 🙂 wonder how old they might be!
I hope to visit France, someday.
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Definitely worth the effort to visit. They’re both retired, I’d say somewhere in late 60s – that’s how I imagine them most of the time 🙂
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Love Agnes and Archie, I can picture them so clearly. Thanks for sharing!
https://katseaholm.wordpress.com/2018/04/19/q-is-for-quiet/
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Thank you Kat, they’ve been appearing on my blog for a couple of years now, like old friends 🙂
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I think he’s having some fun even if he is a bit curmudgeonly. How can you not when traveling? I’ve done a few bus tours and they do a downside but at least you get to visit a lot of places. I tend to like smaller, adventure type tours although Agnes and Archie are probably a little old for those type of trips. Weekends In Maine
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Of course he is really, and of course he and Agnes couldn’t live without each other 🙂
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Once upon a time in a previous vocation, The Powers That Be discovered that it would be cheaper to transport 3 x 50 seater coach loads of us to a centre near Lille than to have the conference in the UK. From Wisbech, my starting point, that would be around 290 miles and nearly 6 hours without messing around for other pick-up points. We were timed to leave at silly o’clock in the morning – from memory about 05.45. And from the time we got on the coach to the time it stopped at our destination the woman in the seat behind me Did Not Stop Talking! I could hear her even when I was dozing – sleep was impossible – and, bad enough though it was for me I felt really sorry for the woman sitting beside her!
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She wasn’t called Agnes by any chance, was she? At least it wasn’t a ruined holiday and you didn’t have to pay for the pleasure. Thanks for reading and sharing.
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I loved the onomatopoeia in this piece, but then I might be biased considering my A to Z theme this year. 🙂
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Thank you Jen, I try to run the alphabet theme through all the stories, part of the fun.
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Glimpses of yesteryear’s images down memory lane, just off to the right… such a sweet story of past and present love, Iain!
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Thanks Annie
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I was kind of wondering if we were going to learn that Berenice was on the tour bus with them. Alas, the story had to end. Well done once again, Iain.
Emily In Ecuador
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Nothing so dramatic, just the wistfulness of memories here 🙂
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Wowsa! Archis and Agnes make a come back! :-)) I’ve been waiting with bated breath for so long, Iain. And I never realised they had aged so much in all this time. I really dig Varad’s suggestion of introducing Agnes to Rosey. They would make quite a pair, don’t you think? I wonder what Keith has to say about this. :-))))
https://natashamusing.com/2018/04/r-is-for-reminiscing-the-yesteryears-atozchallenge/
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Perhaps Rosey could go with Agnes on her next holiday and Archie could stay home for a bit of peace and quiet!
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Archie has only himself to blame. He could stand up to Agnes and say “enough bloody cathedrals, I’m going to have a coffee/beer and sit and watch the world go by”. I do know a henpecked husband like him who tries to keep the peace, although there are occasional huge rows. They seem happy enough. I suppose there is always one partner whose view is “happy wife/husband, happy life”. The alternative is probably divorce.
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I think Archie is at an age where he has made his peace with it and accepts Agnes with all her faults – and realises it’s easier not to argue! Thanks Linda.
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Urgh! A coach tour – I imagine that must be absolute hell on earth – and I actually really like people and will happily talk to anyone. I feel for Archie. First story where you’ve directly linked the departure … and you’ve gone for the protagonist with the wearied acceptance. Nice!
A-Zing this year at:
FictionCanBeFun
Normally found at:
DebsDespatches
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Yep, the most direct link so far – wearied acceptance is about as much as I can manage as well.
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Some secrets lay deep down somewhere, hibernating only to be awakened by the slightest nudge. Loved this sepia toned flashback.
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Yes, we all have these moments from our younger years that surface later on in life.
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Hmm…in spring a young man’s fancy turns to love – or so I hear.
Secret crushes…dalliances – can’t wait to read what’s waiting for me as I wind through your posts.
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Ah yes to be young and in love 🙂
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“Coming, dear”. What attracted her to him back when they were young? Still, I bet they deeply love each other.
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Of course they do, a lifetime has passed since they first met. Thanks Alana
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Agnes and Archie are a wonderful couple. Great story Iain. Very fluid.
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Thank you Dan – they certainly are.
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These two are so relatable as a couple. Relationships, ultimately, are about compromises in the real world, or they just can’t work.
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Wise words.
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I hurt for Archie! He seems so sad.
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Maybe just tired, he’s not had a bad life after all.
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Hi Iain,
I’m glad I took the train as a sprightly 22 year old backpacking through Europe. A coach tour feels so claustrophobic. I think Archie might take off for a weekend to join his friend in Rome. Much better scenery than on the bus.
Best wishes,
Rowena
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Ha, I agree, he would love a few quiet moments in the sun and with a nice drink!
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Such a lovely portrait of the pair. I’m with Archie in hoping European travel will be as easy and open after Brexit. I imagine Agnes would ride roughshod over anyone who stood in her way if she were to go back though.
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That’s true, she wouldn’t let some silly new regulations get in her way 🙂
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