Today Ray took me on another photographic jaunt, this time to Salisbury. We looked at the outside of the cathedral and the inside of Mompesson House. The cathedral close is delightfully olde worlde and genteel and one or two of the gates sported notices.
But this one puzzles me. Is there a dog living here who used to be a 'chien méchant' but is now reformed? Or did the 'chien méchant' depart in some way? Or is the 'chien' extra 'méchant'?
We have a notice in our porch 'chien lunatique' for Jinks and I just know that some of you, my friends, are going to protest that he isn't.
Any answers (or explanations) please not on a postcard.
This is delightful! I really like the rust on the fixing! Ex-chien could be short for chien l'exterieur or dog outside! But it would put me off entering!
This is so bizarre! What can it mean? This shot is quite nostalgic for me lived in Salisbury when I first married and was teaching at Godolphin School there!
I have no idea beyond thinking about this stately residence & it's probable need of a guard dog, from those seeking to profit from the owners perceived wealth ,it's quite curious. What a glorious pov.
Between the notices, and the points on the top of the gate, I think I would just stay out even though I don't know what it says. Ha! Very nice composition - beautiful old building!
Thanks for all your suggestions! I think the answer might be not to open the gate, then it will not be necessary to shut it and also no need to worry
if this mean/vicious/nasty dog is outside or retired or reformed or even escaped. I don't like not understanding even little bits of language though!! But I do have my 'chien lunatique' sign for dear little Jinks! (If a stranger knocks our door, Jinks barks furiously and hysterically and by the time I've opened the door, the stranger has invariably taken a few steps back and is standing in the drive, not in the porch!)
Love this capture....great scene and love the sign...Love your idea of your sign....the same for Charlie. He love EVERYone...but does bark loudly with a know on the door and I hold on to him when I open the door...only so he doesn't jump all over anyone on the other side. But a stranger does ask if he is friendly..I say "sometimes"...hahaha! I think I will put up your sign...and I should have one on the gate saying to close the gate!
Just read Penelope Ann's suggestion, makes sense.
Better get one done for Jinks then : 'ex-chien lunatique'! This is a beautiful close architecturally.
A tiny bit!
Oh expert - that will be good! Of course it's possibly something that an English francophile has just invented!!
Thanks, I understood thus much - but does the 'ex'- not mean something 'extra'?!
Thank you Helene, I seem to often find strange notices when I am out and about!
if this mean/vicious/nasty dog is outside or retired or reformed or even escaped. I don't like not understanding even little bits of language though!! But I do have my 'chien lunatique' sign for dear little Jinks! (If a stranger knocks our door, Jinks barks furiously and hysterically and by the time I've opened the door, the stranger has invariably taken a few steps back and is standing in the drive, not in the porch!)
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