Monastery

[Gardian]

We like apricot jam.  It just so happens that there's a monastery nearby where the nuns make some really good stuff: strawberry, quince, etc, as well as apricot which seems to be their most popular line. It's not a dodgy sideshow - it's a very 'commercial' operation and the product is professionally packaged and tastes delicious. We don't buy it from them out of any religious or sympathetic reasons - it's just really good stuff, but pricey.

Anyway, we needed to stock up and the usual Sister wasn't at the market on Saturday, so I dropped by the monastery yesterday to get the supplies in. Bought the jam, got blessed by the young sister (which is unusual, because I've spent most of my life being cursed) and then spent ten minutes admiring the work they are having done there.

The monastery is in the middle of the deep countryside. The Order is based in Greece and there two other monasteries in southern France. According to the locals, there are monks around, but you never see them. Old buildings, 1/3 of which are being extensively re-furbished.  A brand new winery has been built, to produce their 'bio' wines. Accommodation (I think) for those seeking a retreat, is close to completion.

I watched an elderly gentleman (he must have been 70+, but not a monk!) on some scaffolding 'dressing' some stone which he was fitting to the top of a pre-cast arch some 8M high - skilled and intricate work, which was probably 3 days work in itself. A carpenter was putting the final touches to a superb balcony to the 'retreat' accommodation: the supporting beams were solid oak around 15cms square.  Fantastic watching them work. 

Everything is being done in the greatest possible taste and with seemingly no expense spared.  My guess at the overall cost?  €2M-€3M.  That's a lot of jars of jam.  

[TWINKLE]

Ian!

When they see you coming they probably say "Oh look it's the new bell tower - quick go and serve him!"

[Gardian]

Bless you sister.

[Chris Head]

That was a nice read Ian. In this age of plasterboard, breeze blocks and MDF it's great to think that people are still working in traditional ways with natural materials.... go buy some more jam!

[TWINKLE]

And find out what the monks get up to - probably following the CAC 40!

[Chris Head]

I think you know more about what Monks get up to than you're letting on Sister Twinkle, lay off the makeup tho....

[TWINKLE]

I threw that dress away ages ago - my hips aren't that big now!

You are going to get you knuckles rapped with my wooden cross if you're not careful.  Please sort this thread out before it gets pulled my child.

[Gardian]

[quote user="TWINKLE"]

And find out what the monks get up to - probably following the CAC 40!

[/quote]

I knew ........., I just knew, that sooner rather than later, the monk / nun thing would surface!!  Apparently the monks, when they're ocassionally seen, have long beards and (so the locals say) look a bit sinister. It's the old, old story about perceptions, eh?

The ladies there are very gentle and not at all outwardly pious. I would imagine though, that they would be disbelieving of the cut & thrust and brutality of modern business life that many of us have or are still experiencing. It's a different world there and who's to say they're wrong?