In many parts of the world, November is Movember, a time to grow a moustache to raise awareness of men’s health. In Marseille though, November actually seems to be Mowvember. While only off by one letter, it is fundamentally different. Here during Mowvember, it is time to cut and prune and shave every branch, tree, shrub and blade of grass that has grown high and tall throughout the long Mediterranean summer.

And that means industrial strength lawn and garden power tools – and noise! It is so loud. And this coming from someone who chooses restaurants not based on the food, but on the decibel level (that is another story).

While I like a good power tool (one of my life mantras is “Any job is easy with the right tool”) the noise is driving me crazy. And we are in Confinement – Season 2. It should be quite! I have dueling chainsaws going on right now. I cannot keep the door to the bedroom/study open. On more than one occasion, I have had to excuse myself during a video meeting and get up and close the door, only after realizing of course that I just wearing my gutkas.

I am looking forward to December, not because that will (hopefully) be the last episode of Confinement -Season 2, but will also be the end of Mowvember.