It has been a while since I last posted.  In addition to finishing up the academic year, we have moved ― still in Maisons-Laffitte but from the “town” side into “Le Parc”.  There is much more space and lots of trees.  And, with the exception of the birds (lots of magpies), it is very quiet.  As one walks from the center of town (only 7 minutes away) into the park, the level of noise drops and there is a peaceful calm.

And there are lots of horses ― clip clop, clip clop, clipity cloppity ― strolling around individually or in groups with their people ― usually.

Horses are big in Maisons-Laffitte.  In addition to the race track, it is a major training center and many people have their own horses.  There is lodging for more than 1600 horses.  There are special traffic rules and horses have right of way in the park.

My mother-in-law also lives here in Maisons-Laffitte.  She lives in the town and likes to go walking in the park.  She tells the story that a few weeks ago, while walking in the park, she heard the noise of horses coming up behind her.  She turned to look and saw coming in her direction, two horses, in full gallop ― all excited with ears up and eyes wide open ― and without riders.

They were making a break for it.

She got out of the way and looking back, she could see two young women running as fast as they could to catch up to their horses.

The horses went galloping past and around a rotary where the entering automobile drivers, very properly, yielded to them.

The horses' two people did catch up to them and succeeded in getting them back under control.  Their brief escapade of freedom was over.

But, it is a good thing that “Horses have priority” is clearly indicated as one enters the park.

You may not agree with me but,   That is how I see things.

Mark Louis Uhrich

Maisons-Laffitte, France,  22 July 2011

©Copyright Mark Uhrich