Thursday, July 9

RIP Monsieur Splendido























I have spent the evening trying to find the words to write to someone who has just lost her husband. As a couple they clasped me to their bosoms, became my friends and gave me an unparalleled introduction into the tight little society that is rural France.

I was in France looking for a farmhouse that we could use as a filming location and crew accommodation. I had spent my first few nights in increasingly dismal hotels, so when I walked into the lounge of Hotel Splendido, a sixties timewarp of black quilted vinyl, shiny teak veneer and flamboyant floral displays, I felt I’d come home.

Monsieur Splendido and his magnificent moustache were rivetted to a banquette his eyes fixed to a fuzzy image that might have been a sport game on a huge old television screen, he must have divined my presence through his whiskers because he didn’t take his eyes off the box as he bawled for his wife to come and sort me out.

Madame Splendido was stiffly coiffed and wore the sort of makeup that frightens horses. She was sharp and to the point and gave me a thorough interrogation before handing me the keys to my room.

The hotel's restaurant is popular with the locals, in the summer, dinner is served outside on a sunny terrace. The evening that I arrived most of the tables were full of chatty laughing couples, I was shown to a table in the middle of the terrace and Monsieur Splendido (now dressed in chef's whites) appeared by my side, he introduced me to the other diners with a grand flourish, as though he had produced me from a hat;

This is Lulu she is looking for a house to rent, please help her if you can.

The Splendidos were a double act, the magician and his glamorous assistant and it is impossible to imagine one without the other.

17 comments:

  1. Camus and many others wrote about it and we all deal with it sooner or latter. And still it boils down to cliches and degrees of sincerity.

    Keeping it simple always seems to wrok.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wow. I think those are the best words to write to someone who has just lost her husband.

    You had me at "makeup that frightens horses".

    x

    ReplyDelete
  3. I think Monsieur Splendido was a true gentleman.

    ReplyDelete
  4. From the photo, I'll be honest, he looks a bit like Le Pétomane, but I'm sure you can find some more dignified comparison if you have to deliver a eulogy.

    ReplyDelete
  5. You're right Bill, I will keep it simple.

    Kat - Hmmm - I'm hoping that something doesn't get lost in translation.

    xl - you have hit the nail on the head - un gentil homme is literally a kind man, and that's exactly what he was

    Gadj - there was more than a touch of Pétomane about Splendido

    ReplyDelete
  6. keeping it simple and sincere is always the best thing, sugar. xoxox

    The Splendidos were a double act, the magician and his glamorous assistant and it is impossible to imagine one without the other.

    i hope one day someone will write a line as as lovely as that about us!

    ReplyDelete
  7. oh Lulu, i do LOVE your words.
    if anyone can find the right ones,
    it's you.
    x

    ReplyDelete
  8. It's all about clichés isn't it - at a time like this Mortal coil, with les anges, etc

    bon courage

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'm with Savvy, simple is best, but from the heart always works and will touch the recipient.

    The hotel sounds truly fabulous. Love the image of black quilted vinyl.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Very sad to have colorful people like that pass.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Your words made me miss him dearly. Wow. I'm sorry for the loss.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Here visiting from Katrocket.

    I don't know if this is normal (nor do I care), but reading that post was like watching a scene from a great movie. And the passing of anyone with such a splendid moustache is a cause for universal sadness.

    I agree with the wisdom of the other bloggers above: sweet, yet simple, is always best.

    x

    ReplyDelete
  13. It's always an awkward thing...all you can do is find the words to comfort and give or send a hug. Death is always cruel to the ones left living and no one escapes bereavement...nor death.

    ooo.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Sav i hope one day someone will write a line as as lovely as that about us!

    by the sound of it, people already do!

    Ms Projectivist said...

    Thank you for that vote of confidence

    Frenchie - it is a time for all the clichés to come out, and I'm aware that for the French, correct form is very important.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Madame DeFarge - I loved their hotel, my bedroom had an escritoire with fresh flowers and at the top of the building had a magnificent view.


    Eric Very sad to have colorful people like that pass.

    It is sad and he will be missed by many.

    Wow - you would have loved him

    Welcome to you, girl with the pink teacup - thank you for those nice words.

    BB - it des indeed - come to us all.

    ReplyDelete
  16. How sad. He sounds like one in a million.

    ReplyDelete
  17. The world doesn't have enough characters.

    At least the French dependence on the correct form provides a structure for consolation at a time when people would naturally struggle to be creative.

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts with Thumbnails