In the small field next to the farmhouse at Soucieu were several very ancient cherry trees.
I was very surprised to discover that when Joel went to Soucieu for the summer holidays as a child with his brother, sisters and cousins, they were never allowed to climb the cherry trees and eat the cherries. Monsieur Rampon, who owned an enormous cherry orchard across the road from these trees was the caretaker for the field where the trees grew. And so, to take the cherries was akin to stealing.
What temptation for a small child!
One day in summer, I was walking in the lane beside the cherry trees with Claire, Nathalie and Lea. The cherry trees were laden with beautiful, crimson fruit.
Feeling very guilty, but none-the-less determined, I took the girls into the field and said that they could climb the trees and eat as many cherries as they wanted.
There they were perched up in the trees, cherry juice running down their chins and cherry earrings dangling from each ear when I saw someone coming up the lane.
It was Monsieur Rampon!
Too late to do anything except say 'Bonjour Monsieur Rampon.' And then explain in my halting French that these were the great-grandchildren of Madame Mido Geoffray and I hoped that he didn't mind them eating a few of his cherries.
With a grand wave of his hands, Monsieur Rampon said that it would be his great pleasure if we would eat as many as we wanted. And would we please pick some to take home to enjoy as well.
'As a matter of fact, he' added kindly, 'if there are not enough cherries in these trees you are welcome to come and pick cherries from the trees across the road in my orchard.'
He then went on to explain that that year he had not been able to afford to pay insurance for the Portuguese pickers that came every year so most of the cherries would just fall to the ground and be wasted.
After he had walked back down the lane I drove back home and told Joel to come with us back to Mido's farmhouse. Which he did. And at the ripe old age of 39 years Joel finally got to sit in his grandmother's cherry tree and eat more than enough cherries to make up for all those missed cherries of his long ago childhood.
We often made this 'Cherry Clafoutis' for dessert. Especially delicious when made with cherries from Mido's trees.
3/4 lb cherries
Place 1 cup milk, 2oz sugar, 3 eggs, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, pinch salt, 2 1/2oz sifted plain flour into a bowl. Mix well. Lightly butter a round pie dish. Pour a spoonful of batter into the base of the dish and swirl around to cover base. Spread the cherries (de-seeded if possible otherwise be careful when serving to unsuspecting friends) over the base of the dish. Cover with the rest of the mixture and sprinkle with 2 tablespoons sugar. Place in a 350 degree oven and bake until slightly risen and golden, about 40 minutes.
delightful
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