PERFUMERY

As I walked out early on Saturday morning the scent of orange blossom was so heady and strong that I thought I was in Grasse.  At first, I couldn't work out where it was coming from. Then I looked up.

A FAMILIAR AROMA

A sensual, heady aroma filled the air as I strolled home from work tonight.  What was it?

Yes, the orange blossom is out in Orange Blossom Square.

DAILY DOINGS - 7

The Post Office is up to its old trick of having only one counter open for each purpose. Therefore it took me the usual 40 minutes to pay a bill there this morning. When I was attended to, it was without a trace of a smile from the clerk, who uttered no "buongiorno" , "arrivederci" or even a "bugger off" [which would at least have constituted some interaction] . It seems to me that, when you know someone has been waiting a long time [and the clerks do know this] then the least you can do is serve them with a modicum of courtesy. I nearly screamed when I saw the manager walking up and down, at one point, picking up discarded "tickets" which had somehow missed the wastebins but doing nothing about the level of service. One day I swear I am going to lose my pazienza and collar him; I want to know how he can possibly be satisfied with the training his staff have received and the sheer lack of consideration for the clientèle in the place. Someone has also had the bright idea of changing the seating arrangements in there: the chairs are now placed in diagonal rows, the logic, presumably, being that you won't have to crane your neck to see the display board; but, of course, it doesn't work as the rows encroach upon the central space, so people stand almost on top of you and you still can't see the board [which, given the slowness of the appearance of the ticket numbers, might be a blessing in disguise, come to think of it!]

Today I suggested to a class that they all come on time for next week's lesson, so that we can get an exam practice test done: you would have thought I had cracked the funniest joke in Christendom!

But the orange blossom is out and I stop on the way to and from work to breathe in its heady scent. Then nothing else matters quite so much, reader....

ORANGE BLOSSOM SQUARE

That is the name I have conferred upon the piazzetta around the corner. It is a peaceful, shady haven from the scorching summer sun and, at this time of year, the scent from its orange blossom hedges is quite heady as you pass.

My "signature" perfume is YSL Paris and I spray it on lavishly every day, but sometimes if I'm relaxing at home or just before going to bed I'll dab on some Zagara [orange blossom] di Sicilia cologne. [Zagara comes from Arabic zahar = blossom.] This cologne is mostly sold in souvenir shops here nowadays. It is a very refreshing , zingy fragrance and I have never been able to buy anything like it in the UK.