en retard

Maybe Anne got sidetracked at the neighbor's? Who could blame the animal lover for lingering before this scene? Read today's dual-language missive written by Chief Grape!

en retard (ahn reuh tahr)

     : late

Audio File: Lisen to Jean-Marc: Download MP3 or Wav file

Anne était-elle en retard ou en avance?
Was Anne late or early?

"En retard"
...a bilingual story by Jean-Marc Espinasse

(Listen to the following story: Download MP3 -- sorry no Wav version available!)

 

Hier, nous avons reçu les premières visites de l'année au Domaine Rouge-Bleu. Brian & Dawn, Mia & Ulli, Carol & Bill sont arrivés à l'heure grâce au plan que Kristi leur avait envoyé.
Yesterday we received the first visits of the year at Domaine Rouge-Bleu. Brian & Dawn, Mia & Ulli, Carol & Bill arrived on time thanks to the map that Kristi had sent them.

Anne, qui avait prévu de venir avec son amie Karen, avait finalement prévenue que Karen était malheureusement malade mais, ceci dit, elle n'était pas là, à l'heure où nous avons commencé la dégustation.... 
Anne, who had planned to come with her ​​friend Karen, had forewarned us that Karen was sick, but unfortunately, that said, [Anne] was not here when we started the tasting ....

Elle est apparue avec toute sa gentillesse mais "en retard" alors que nous dégustions la bouteille "mystère" qui a clos la séance.
She very sweetly appeared, only a bit late... while we were busy tasting the "mystery" wine which ends each tasting.

Lorsque nous sommes allés visiter la cave, Anne était également "en retard" car elle était trop attentionnée à jouer et parler avec Smokey.
And when we went to visit the cellar, Anne was also "late" because she was so focused on playing with and talking to Smokey. 

Puis, tout le groupe est allé déjeuner à la Farigoule, un restaurant de notre village. Lorsque la serveuse est venue prendre la commande, Anne était à nouveau "en retard" car partie pour quelques instants...
Next, the whole group went to eat at La Farigoule, a restaurant in our village. When the waitress came to take our order, Anne was once again "late", for she had left for a few moments.... 

Évidemment, tous ces "retards" n'ont pas du tout été problématiques et c'était juste une coïncidence rigolote.
Clearly, all these "delays" were not all problematic and it was just a funny coincidence.

Anne a, en fait, été "en avance" avec nous tous car c'est elle qui a initié cette première journée de visites. Nous la remercions grandement pour cette initiative ainsi que tout ce sympathique groupe de visiteurs.

Anne was, in fact, "in advance" with all of us, for it is she who initiated this first day of visits. We thank her greatly for this initiative, and we thank our very kind group of visitors.

P.S. Anne, merci encore pour les fleurs, les bonbons, le déjeuner... Vous pouvez arriver "en retard" tant que vous voudrez =)
P.S. Anne, thanks again for the flowers, the candy, and the lunch... You can arrive late whenever you like! 

 (Anne explained that without her friend and co-pilot, Karen Graham, navigating just wasn't the same. This post is dedicated to Karen. We hope you will feel better soon!)

 

Our first wine-tasting of the season... but where is Anne?...

Note: That's Bill and Carol--first and third on the left. They are from Vancouver. You'll have to squeeze your eyes almost shut to see them in this snapshot (sorry to not have gotten a close-up)! Carol and Bill are living everyone's dream of a one-year sabbatical! Enjoy their stories at CrowsEnProvence (I especially loved their daughter's scarf-tying "Leçon du Foulard"

Ulli & Mia, English teachers from Hambourg, made it to our house for the dégustation... mais où est Anne?... 

Note: Mia is originally from Brussels, Belgium. However, when she set eyes on Ulli, she quickly jumped borders!

Kristin, flanked by Ann Arborians Brian and Dawn, who arrived shortly after Ulli & Mia. Still no signs of Anne de Pennsylvanie... Pittsburgh must be farther away than we figured.

Note: Brian and Dawn were married 40 years ago. We guess that Michigan has unique marriage laws... given that these sweethearts must have tied the knot around the same time they learned to tie their shoes.

"Looking for Anne" (Chief Grape there on the stripey left.) You-hoo, Anne, where are you? ohé... ohé... yoo-hoo, you-hoo... I say Anne is looking for Jules, whom she hoped to meet (sadly, Mom is in Mexico! Hmmm, this might explain Anne's delay....)

Trouvé! Found! So she didn't make a loop down to Mexique! Anne arrived and stole this seat, right next to Mr. Grape Chief. 

*Zee End*

Join us for a wine tasting! The next meet-ups are on April 6th, 10th, 17th, 24th and 26th -- at 4 pm. Leave a message in the comments box if you can make it to one of our April meet-ups!(I'll post May meet-ups soon!)

Comments Corner
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Comments

[Julia]

Lovely! I'd love to come to a tasting next week, but must one have a car to have access to your farm? My guess is yes...

Either way, Cheers to everyone!

[Kristin Espinasse]

Hi Julia, I believe you are coming from Paris? You would need to take the train to Orange. Therein lies the problem: youd need a car to get from Orange train station to our vineyard (a twenty-minute drive.. when you know the way!). Perhaps another reader is coming from that direction... and could swing by and pick you up at the station in Orange or even in Avignon? A suivre...

[Bill in St. Paul]

We'll miss the fun of a tasting at Rouge-Bleu this Spring, what fun to meet and see you and Jean-Marc, Kristin. We'll have to add La Farigoule restaurant to our list of restaurants near Vaison-la-Romaine.

[mary beth splaine]

Kristin, Jack and I would love to come for the tasting on Tuesday, April 17, a birthday treat for me. We are in St.Didier for several months and have always wanted to meet you and taste the wines. We hope you have room for us that day. thanks, Mary Beth

[Suzanne]

I really enjoyed this story and am surprised at how much of it I could read and understand en francais. Merci, Kristin. Looking forward to a visit and tasting during the third week in September. From Monroe Twp, NJ en route to work in NYC!

[Ouida Stough]

My husband and I are planning a trip to the
French World War I sights. We'll fly to Paris and probably rent a car at the airport. Any suggestions on travel route, lodging, eateries, home base? Thank you for your opinions and ideas! Ouida

[Jeri]

Thanks for this anecdote tres sympa. Looking forward to seeing your May and June dates and crossing fingers that we can make one of them. Merci pour tous ce que tu fais pour tes lecteurs et lectrices (correcte?).

A bientot.

[David]

Perfect timing! "En retard"! On Monday, we are leaving for a 4 week trip to Europe, which will include 7 countries and 7 flights - and "en retard" is exactly what I do NOT want to see at the airport!

Sent from Georgetown, Texas

[Liza in Ann Arbor]

Ann Arborians? Moi aussi! Quelle coincidence.

[Tonya in Arkansas]

I loved this quick, little story! Thank you for sharing.. AND...how far are you from Paris? What is the best way to get there? My buddy, Ann, and I are visiting April 20-25. OMG.. to meet you and see your place would be a dream.

Thank you and bless you for what you are doing.

[JULES GREER - PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO]

MY DARLING JEAN-MARC,

Of course I love your writing of today's story....I am so happy you are my son.

XOXO

MOM

[Kristin Espinasse]

Tonya, it is a 2.5 hour train ride from Paris to Orange (depending: for not all Paris trains stop in Orange). Ideally, you and Ann could take the train with Julia (see her note, above)... in time for the April 24th wine-tasting. Now to get from the train station to our vineyard (a taxi ride would be pricey). Anyone else coming from Paris via train? My car holds four passengers...

[John Chambless]

Merci pour l'histoire bilingual. Comme un étudiant occasionnel du français, c'est très utile.

[Kristin Espinasse]

De rien, John. You will find more dual-language posts here (youll need to scroll down the page, after clicking on this link:
http://french-word-a-day.typepad.com/motdujour/dual-language-story/ 

[Yerda Yearsley]

Merci & Desolee!
For Chief Grape...Thanks for the delightful story today, and regrets that I neglected to wish you Bon Anniversaire on the correct day...forgive and wishes for many wonderful returns of the day!
And for Kristin, Merci encore for all the inspiring words and photos you send that keep me connected to France until I return!
For all you who are fortunate enough to attend one of the delightful and delicious wine tastings....enjoy!...we did, and we'll be back!
A votre Sante,
Yerda & Bruce

[nance]

dear kristin, i have been following this site for over a year and look forward to seeing every post. the bilingual story today is so good for my learning curve! i wish you and yours the best and a very happy Easter!

nance from daytona beach, fl

[Augusta Elmwood]

Hi, Kristin, I just love the stream-of-consciousness commentary by Chief Grape and your side-saddle, excellent translations. There are lots of useful phrases & words in it & I plan on saving it (I NEVER could understand the use of the word "car" - now I do!)

Oh, dear... so near & yet so far, we are in Spain now, until the 11th. I do so wish we could make it up there for one of the tastings, but we have other things planned. Maybe next year!

Bisous, Augusta

[Cynthia Lewis in Salisbury, Eastern Shore of Maryland]

What a delightful post today! My thanks to you and Jean-Marc for the French lesson in complete sentences. Happy Easter to all of the family...Smokey and Braise,too.

[Dawn Anderson]

Hi Kristi and Jean-Marc,
Thanks again for a perfect day yesterday! The weather was lovely and Jean-Marc's explanations and passion for wine making were so inspiring. We're having a glass of the 2009 Mistral right now! I'm so impressed at the way you welcome "strangers" into your home and life, and help us to feel so at ease. It was a lovely group of people, and our lunch together was an added treat. It's not a day we'll soon forget. Merci mille fois!

Hugs,

Dawn and Brian
near Eygaliers in Provence (where it rained like crazy all day!)

[Millie]

I wish I could join the francophile fans of Kristin and Jean-Marc. It sounds like so much fun.
Jean Marc, ne me déteste pas. Je ne suis pas très calée en Français, mais je vois que tu as fait des fautes de frappe dans ta phrase "tout ces "retards" n'ont pas du tout été problématique". A vous, Kristin et toi, de deviner. Corrigez-moi si c'est moi qui ai eu tort.

[Stacy ~ Sweet Life Farm ~ Applegate, Oregon]

FUN post! Lovely photos! Thanks for brightening my day.

Ps. Awoke to a dusting of snow(!) this morning...

[Millie]

Et si je ne me suis pas trompée, dans la phrase "Anne, qui avait prévue de venir avec son amie Karen, avait finalement prévenue", il n'y a pas de E après "Prévu et Prévenu".
Jean-Marc "se moque" d'Anne avec humour. Mais c'est vraiment drôle qu'Anne était souvent "en retard", une "coïncidence tellement rigolote"

[EL]

Could we hear Jean-Marc read the entire story? Please? ;-)

[Judi Boeye Miller, Lake Balboa, CA]

Oh, I pine to take part! It sounds so lovely and that everyone had such a wonderful time (even without new wallpaper!! ha ha). Maybe next Fall or next Spring! By the way, I opened my Amazon daily book buy reminder and since it 'knows' I like French travel narratives, etc, guess what the first two books were that it recommended to me! - Yes, yours! It was very exciting to see your books being 'recommended' to me by Amazon! - Judi in Lake Balboa, CA

[joie/carmel-by-the-sea, ca.]

Loved the story and having it in dual languages is great.

[joie/carmel-by-the-sea, ca.]

hmmm.....seeing all the people that seem to be visiting Provence this year....have you thought of opening up a B and B? Or buy more property and having a couple of gites?

[Audrey Wilson]

Thanks for today's post . Great practice for comprehension. I managed pretty well apart from the odd word ,but then after 17 years in France I ought !! My problem is much more in conversation,being able to think quickly enough of things like gender, grammar, vocab etc. However, practice should make perfect , though at my age it is not so easy !!
A la prochaine JeanMarc!

[Eileen deCamp, Charlottesville, VA]

Hi Kristin,
Fun post! I enjoyed Sophie's scarf tutorial! I am trying it today!
Happy Easter!

[Julie S.]

Thank you for this very enjoyable bilingual post today! Perhaps one day I will also make it to a wine tasting at your wonderful farm and meet all of you at last. Have a wonderful Easter with your family!
Julie
(in sunny San Diego, California)

[Andrew McKay, Kamloops, Canada]

Bonjour Kristin
I have a great tip in response to a question in your comments:
"My husband and I are planning a trip to the French World War I sights. We'll fly to Paris and probably rent a car at the airport. Any suggestions on travel route, lodging, eateries, home base? Thank you for your opinions and ideas! Ouida"

My tip is contact the Varlet Farm Bed and Breakfast in Poelkapelle Belgium. I'm a World War 1 history buff myself and I've stayed there twice. They're wonderful people, running a comfy b&b with great food, beer in your room fridge and a barn full of WW1 stuff they've tilled from their farm fields. They also have maps, books and huge knowledge of WW1, and they're located in the middle of what was the Passchendaele battlefield in Flanders. Their website is http://www.varletfarm.com
Cheers
Andrew

[DUEDRA Jacqueline]

Hi Kristin, I hope that you are feeling better!
There are a lot of misspellings with the French grammar! It's really a pity because it's supposed to be read by students of French language!I know it's tricky especially for French people
- NO: Anne, qui avait prévue YES: qui avait prévu - verbe avoir!
- NO:Anne était a nouveau "en retard" - YES: à - ce n'est pas un verbe.
- NO: tout ces "retards" n'ont pas du tout été problématique - YES: tous ces "retards" n'ont pas du tout causé de problème - Pluriel + le mot problématique est un néologisme qui n'est pas très joli!
- Hope that you'll have some fun reading that note!
Best regards
Jacqueline

[Kristin Espinasse]

Thanks, Millie and Jacqueline, for these corrections. 

[Ouida Stough]

Anddrew,thank you so much for your WWI tip. I'm exploring Varlet Farm on-line today. Ouida

[gail bingenheimer]

Ou est Anne?

[Lis Steeden]

Hi Kristin -

As always it's lovely to read what's happening around you and yours(but was sad to read about 'the attack')....
26/4 would have been perfect, as that was the day we were planning to arrive from London, but 30/4 looks more likely - so any chance you would be doing any wine tasting the first few days of May? If all fails, we'll have to come anothre time! :)