I'm not sure whether hunters are over represented in mass homicide statistics or not but for me, it is a suspect activity and not a sport. I felt uneasy on the few occasions I have chatted with hunters. Anyone with ready access to a range of weapons - and I include crossbows high up that list - makes my skin crawl. Guess I'll have to resign from the NRA!
Walking through this woodland to the not-so-distant sound of gunfire, I could not imagine Robert Frost writing "The Road Not Taken" here. Not that a Louisiana forest is without its charms. The trees are not as colourful or arranged in neat rows but there are plenty of birds and the sound of crickets greeted us last night as we arrived after our meal at the Magnolia Cafe. Rose had the shrimp poboy, Tess and Lillie burgers of some description and I chose the pork chop for my gouty toe, avoiding the cajun spices that predominate in dishes around these parts.
I have not been blogging much because we have been busy. Yesterday, Rose drove us through the lower 9th Quarter, devastated by 25 feet of water when the Industrial levee nearby broke during Katrina. Various housing projects (thanks Branjolina and Jimmy Carter) have slowly brought life back to the neighbourhood but there are still signs of the ravages of flood. Rose was surprised at how much building had occurred and later showed us the Musician's neighbourhood on the other side of the bridge which had been built courtesy of Harry Connick Junior, son of the former DA.
Then for contrast, she drove up and around the St Charles Street "quarter". Here were your southern mansions - some already decorated for Halloween - lining the route of Mardi Gras. Beads were visible hanging off trees and fences where they had missed their targets. Plenty of professionals live and practise in this area. There is a lovely Bayou running through parts of it.
St Francisville is about a two hour drive from New Orleans although traffic around the capital, Baton Rouge can add hours apparently. The cabin is hardly primitive as photos of the twin satellite dishes at the front will show when I manage to upload them. All the comforts of home. Rose stocked the many bird feeders nearby and this morning I tried unsuccessfully to photograph some of the small birds feeding nearby. No dear despite her generous sprinkling of corn. I ran in to a nearby who said they were probably lying low given the hunters. Don't blame them. I have no confidence that stray bullets will not come my way.
We spend another night here then it is back to New Orleans for a big Sunday dinner with Lillie's family. Then a leisurely pack before catching the 4.45pm to LAX and the 9.35pm to SYD. Another wonderful trip is drawing to a close. We are a lucky generation.
Photos to follow.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:St Francisville,United States
No comments:
Post a Comment