Everyone should have a Cafe du Canard in their life. A place they can go to reflect, think or simply be. With or without ducks (as ‘canard’ is the French word for duck.)
To Start
A favourite YouTuber of mine, Justine Leconte once posted a video about ‘5 ways to find motivation and inspiration‘, even in tough times. As part of this video she mentions you need to give yourself the opportunity to be bored. And I have to agree wholeheartedly.
Honestly, I hadn’t really thought about it, but being bored, or giving yourself time to be bored truly does inspire creativity. It’s in times of boredom that you take time to think what you want to do. Actually one could argue that that is actually not boring, but that’s a debate for another day.
In the Beginning
But what does this have to do with Cafe du Canard? Let’s begin at the very beginning (hmmm, I feel a song coming on…), a very good place to start… Except I don’t sound anything like Julie Andrews, so I’ll just tell you in my own written voice.
Cafe du Canard became a thought process a number of years ago. It then took a year to manifest itself. Great ideas sometimes take time. That’s my excuse anyway. And with great ideas, comes repetition. That is if it worked once, do it again. I am a great fan of improving on designs second time around. (Such as my Duck Enclosure.)
The First Cafe du Canard
When I built the duck enclosure at my previous home, I did a lot of digging and found a cement pond and a brick rimmed area. A path I think, as there were steps. And there was this cement platform. Not a big one, but just big enough to house a little French table and chairs. At least that was the initial picture.
As the cement platform butted up against the wall I envisaged this would be a great place for an evening glass of wine. Sat as the sun set behind the overhanging trees, looking down in quiet contemplation of the veg garden below. That was the dream.
Add in a find of a cafe table and suddenly Cafe du Canard became a very real possibility. It was a matter of extending the cement platform. It was just large enough for two chairs, but nothing else. A space was cleared to the front and I laid a little patio from spare tiles. A nice space for a table. And so the reality of Cafe du Canard was born.
For Duck’s Sake
But for those not understanding French, Cafe du Canard translates as Duck Cafe or literally Cafe of the ducks. I sort of prefer the latter concept. After all I put the cafe in their home, the duck enclosure, and it seems only fitting they should make use of the cafe as much as I did.
The chairs made a great additional shaded space to sit under for them. And as they sat on cement, it radiated a coolness for a good long while. The table was a wonderful look out post. Ducks love to go to high places to view their world. Maggie always loved standing on my shoulder, chattering down to the ducks below. No surprises then that I often found Maggie lording it over the others from her table perch. (Or maybe it is a table dance for her male entourage?)
Early Morning Contemplations
For myself, Cafe du Canard became my go to place in the early mornings. The sun rose behind it, lighting up the foliage with a golden glow. The birds would sing. The neighbour’s chickens on either side would cluck to be let out. And my ducks, well, dawn is the best time for a forage.
It was so quiet and peaceful. A perfect place to write, whether letters or blog posts. Also to read. And more often to simply let my thoughts drift. So many of my ideas germinated in Cafe du Canard.
Part Deux (2)
Now with my move to my new yet medieval (restoration) home, as I worked in the garden my mind was continuously searching for where my new Cafe du Canard would go. And it turned out to be a surprisingly easy decision.
The garden was a mess of head height weeds when I moved in. (A restoration project in itself.) In taking the time to clear the garden, plants trees, build up raised beds and ultimately watch the sun track across the garden the new location became obvious.
My garden is walled all around, and south facing. There is one corner that receives the sun in the early mornings and by mid-morning starts to become shaded. A perfect start to the day, to sit in the spring sun as it starts to warm the air. Or make the most of a vitamin D soaking whilst it is not too hot in summer. And later in the day, cool and comfortable in its shade.
New Location, New Ideas
And so, the location of my new Cafe du Canard has been decided. Time for the work to begin to transform it into my special place. And there is a lot of work, but knowing that it will ultimately be a special place helps make the work (almost) fun. Or at least, it is work I am desirous to do (unlike cleaning and painting my eventual kitchen).
The corner has a brick edging already in situ. However, behind it was used as a rubbish dump. After clearing out the refuse, old bricks are my patio of choice for this area. So I am on the search whilst I clean. Also an old fashioned table and chairs in iron. You know the sort, with romantic curly cues. Pretty but solid at the same time. And comfortable. Cafe du Canard seating has to be comfortable or it would not get used as much as I would like to.
Duck Approved
The ducks have already declared they like this corner as well. Mostly due to the shade. But also it gives a nice overview of the garden, and has natural protection in its corner perspective. I have a temporary parasol there for them, additional protection.
It is easy to see it completed in my mind. Sat with my morning coffee, the ducks wandering around me. Chattering away. If the sun is shining, I know at least one if not two of my cats will sun themselves nearby, enjoying the peace with me. And relax.
In Contemplation
Everyone needs a space to let their thoughts roam free. To wing above with great imagination, or provide solace in moments of difficulty. That space can be anywhere. A park bench, a favourite chair, a walk in a nearby woods.
It is a happy space when the mood is right. And also a place that wraps you in a metaphorical hug when needed. I hope everyone has the opportunity to find or make their own Cafe du Canard. With or without ducks.
More Musings
Read more of my musings, particularly from Cafe du Canard, in Finding a Simple Living.
Support me in my writings by nourishing my Cafe coffee habit.
Or visit My Shop and buy something totally unrelated to this article. Okay, sort of related in that there are garden items, duck lover items, restoration stuff, and even stuff I have designed myself whilst sitting in Cafe du Canard!
Simply click on an image to see more…