Le temps des cathédrales

A pilgrim stopped at the cottage this morning. He was walking the North Wales Pilgrim's way
http://www.pilgrims-way-north-wales.org/index.html and was chatting to Winnie who had been resting heavily by the front gate, with her head on the iron struts.
He was an old man with a Father Christmas beard and a floppy hat who laughed a tinkling laugh when George woofed at him from his hiding place amongst the Welsh poppies.
I went out and we talked a while . He wanted to know the cottage's history and complemented me on the state of the garden then asked why there was a bunch of flowers on the kitchen wall.
I told him I had no idea and popped back to see a bunch of stocks balanced there
" It's a late Birthday gift" I informed the pilgrim
" Oh that's good ," he mused  "I thought for a minute someone had had an accident here" 

Yesterday, when I was out, the kitchen wall took on another flavour
A cake box with a homemade Bakewell tart inside, was sat next to scotch egg wrapped in foil .
Nearby a neatly wrapped book and a slice of coffee cake sat next to a set of scented candles
I had thirty cards to open too.
It's a thing I do
Counting Birthday cards.
Thank you to everyone who wished me well yesterday. I may not have been the life and soul of any party but I was grateful for the best wishes

I offered the pilgrim a cup of tea which he chose to drink over the garden wall.
He refused a slice of cake.
And I guess he sensed that I wanted to get on as the cottage needs spring cleaning in order to be officially photographed next week, and so he collected his sticks and said goodbye
" God be with you!" He trilled and he tapped Winnie on the nose through the bars of the gate
"And to you sweetie" 
She blew a kiss at him as he left

It was only then when I realised what music I had been playing on Spotify as I tidied up
les Temps des Cathedrales blasted out from the open cottage windows
The Age Of The Cathedrals from Notre-Dame De Paris