Originally, I selected Masson's purely on the basis of its perpetual queue. Which snakes out of the bakery, across the pavement, throughout opening hours. Each year since, I have sought it out, for my first, oven warm, Baguette de Tradition Francaise (coloquially, 'Une Tradition') of the season. Crackling and crisp, of crust; a magical juxtaposition, of tearable and tender, within.
The shop is set amid the weather beaten facades, of the church square.
Where, today, it is market day. The roads are closed to traffic and set about with stalls. Offering fruit, fish (fresh from the Dieppe trawlers) and cheeses, in the main. Wares are examined with discernment. The pace is leisurely. The service both personal and personable. An antidote, to the march of the speedy, but soulless, supermarket self-scan checkout.
Market goers and traders alike are wrapped warmly. For the breeze is round into the north, carrying a chill once more. Tomorrow, it is forecast to veer, north east. Offering the prospect of downwind conditions, to vessels bound west.
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