Tracery

Same again, from a different angle!

I did leave the village today. I went to Fabrezan to an information meeting about a community solar power project. The idea is to find plots of land that are not used or difficult to restore for other purposes and put solar panels on them, owned by a "citizens' cooperative" in which any residents can have shares. The electricity produced is then distributed by another coop which acts as an alternative supplier to EDF. This is in contrast to the "German companies who install Chinese solar panels on agricultural land, export the electricity to Spain, and hand out the profits to shareholders".  It's at a very early stage, but in Fabrezan they've already identified two suitable sites: an empty bit of land next to the sewage station, and the municipal rubbish dump which is being closed and replaced with another one. They have permission in principle, and now they need to do further studies and raise money

Unfortunately the behaviour of the audience was typically French: the association had prepared a presentation (Powerpoint slides and everything!), but within five minutes audience members steered it off course by firing random questions at the presenters, interrupting them with comments, and talking among themselves. Why not wait till the end of the presentation before raising matters that haven't been addressed? Eventually the presenters did make it to the end, and shut down the remaining "Just one more question" from someone who had already asked a dozen, by pointing out that the aperitif was waiting. Still, it's an interesting project that we would like to be involved in -- although currently our mairie has not expressed an interest.

It was freezing in the art gallery where the meeting was held -- I chatted to a couple who live in our village for a while, and then abandoned the crisps and peanuts to go home and light the fire.

Out in the afternoon for a brisk blip walk. S phoned from the Premier Inn having had a horrid journey from Teesside to Manchester through snow and heavy rain. He will be back tomorrow!