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30.8.17

THE SERF - a story in a hundred words.

THE SERF

The new labourer is an odd bloke. He was mixing cement by hand till I showed him how to use the mixer. Mind you, the brickies claimed his cement was the best they’d ever used, so he knows his job.

Took some persuading to wear a hard-hat, too, and his clothes are weird, but he’s a grafter – looked shocked when we stopped for a brew-up, and can you believe he’s never tasted tea? Said serfs weren’t given such luxuries, and Den asked him where he came from.
“This place,” he said, “Before cannons destroyed it.”

Fair gave me the shivers, that did.
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I always sense the ghosts when I visit a ruin, hence this week's story prompted by Roger Bulltot's photo on https://rochellewisoff.com/  where Rochelle holds court. 
As I am flying off to Canada on Friday to visit my son and his family, I apologise in advance for a) my lack of comments on other FF blogs, b) delayed or absent replies to any comments you are kind enough to make on mine, and c) my probable absence from FF for the next two weeks. Be good while I'm gone!

33 comments:

  1. So, ghost or time traveler?

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    1. A ghost probably couldn't mix decent cement.

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  2. Oh yes.. that would be an interesting thing to have ghosts of past coming in for work

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  3. That's a word that can be taken several ways!

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  4. Perhaps he is condemned to keep reappearing everytime they renovate and restore through the ages. Nice take.

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    1. Re-learning building practices as he goes?

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  5. Fun story. Enjoy your trip!

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  6. they should have looked if his feet were touching the ground. if they weren't, he was likely a ghost. :)

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    1. Is that how you recognise a ghost? Wow!

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  7. Bet he'd be impressed with the minimum wage - and the fact people can fly off the Canada! Have a great trip.

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  8. Dear Liz,

    This picture did inspire ghost storied, didn't it? Myself included. Good one as always. And you will be missed.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

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    1. Thanks Rochelle - I'll try to read from Canada but I doubt I shall write - lots of Nanny cuddling to be done!

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  9. Great ghostie, Liz. Have a good trip!

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  10. Spooky tale, Liz! A ghost trying to mix cement...that was a great take on the prompt by the way!!

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  11. You have an ear for poetry. The sound in this is impeccable.

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  12. Gave me the shivers too . Never tasted tea? How old is he, exactly ?
    Great story , Liz.
    Wishing you a fantastic trip !
    Will miss your stories.

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    1. He'd be as old as the castle, I guess!

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    1. Thanks, DeeDee, though a ghost who's that helpful can't be too scary!

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  14. I loved this take, Liz. Leaves us posing questions, which is a good thing!

    Where in Canada - we are quite the vast country! ;-) Enjoy your trip. We'll be here when you get back!

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    1. Ingersoll Ontario, visit with son who married a Canadian, plus their two girls aged two and a half, and one month. Travelling with me are my daughter and her daughter aged two and a half.

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  15. Connie would love to have a laborer like him around here. :) Russell

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    1. One who doesn't ask for much and doesn't stop for tea?

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  16. That's an intriguing idea, to have a serf come back and work on the building. Maybe he'll finally find some freedom.

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  17. I love the language in this, the time-travel. I always imagine who might have come before when I visit a place. Tidily done. Thank you. Travel safely

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