tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37070024.post6191671272789411618..comments2023-10-31T15:39:09.651+01:00Comments on box elder: A trip on the Sainte Jeanne # 1 (before we even get on the boat...)Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09764296105901909328noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37070024.post-39628368993659189112014-08-24T17:52:33.796+02:002014-08-24T17:52:33.796+02:00Indeed Robbie, Tom was quite grumpy about the use ...Indeed Robbie, Tom was quite grumpy about the use of the term in this context, and didn't seem to think it was really justifiable, but more a case of the aforesaid polysyllable addiction. In fact though, it doesn't so much refer to the tidal level but the difference in levels between high and low, so not only does a 'marée 115' cover all the rocks so Dorigen's husband can get home safely (dodgy logic, seems like he'd be more at risk of getting wrecked on them not being able to see them, but a promise was a promise), but also recedes further back than usual, hence everyone minching off work and class to go shrimp hunting! What the actual figures - 20 being the smallest possible difference and 120 the biggest (I think) - I've no idea. Anyway, it's another reason to buy the almanach de facteur every year, aside from the fact they'd probably trash your mail if you didn't. Lucyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09764296105901909328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37070024.post-58378794394094657692014-08-24T17:06:42.313+02:002014-08-24T17:06:42.313+02:00You forced me to look up coefficient - which is a ...You forced me to look up coefficient - which is a good thing. I had in mind that it was a number which might vary and was itself the result of relating several variable values. The one I was most familiar with was coefficient of friction - typically 0.3 when used in connection with a car's external shape. The higher the coefficient the more resistance the car's body presented to air flow.<br /><br />The second definition in my dictionary was "A number that serves as a measure of some property or characteristic, eg, of a device or a process." I think my definition might just pass muster provided Tom wasn't marking the paper.<br /><br />I'm not quite sure how the word can be used in connection with tides. "Tide level" seems to do the job well enough. Roderick Robinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16828395545197001637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37070024.post-62556933217633625452014-08-22T17:43:03.516+02:002014-08-22T17:43:03.516+02:00Setu! Always lovely to hear from you.
Yes, a low...Setu! Always lovely to hear from you.<br /><br />Yes, a low turn-out on high coefficient days was something I observed! The favourite foraging was for the delicate bigger pink shrimps they call 'bouquets', and having tasted them I can understand why. And thank you so much for my introduction the the Mise-en-Abyme Club!Lucyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09764296105901909328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37070024.post-70823933644883879272014-08-21T14:03:22.739+02:002014-08-21T14:03:22.739+02:00Hello Lucy,
If you want to look cool when talking ...Hello Lucy,<br />If you want to look cool when talking to your students, you can just say "coeff", e.g. "en terminale scientifique, c'est anglais coeff 2 et maths coeff 5 ?" <br />If you are a keen beachcomber, you can even omit “coefficient”. For example: “Tiens, Yvon Kerangoff est absent aujourd’hui ? Oui, il a pris un jour de congé pour la marée de 115. » Marée de 115 = marée de coefficient 115. Over 100, foraging grounds that are usually immersed can be prospected at low tide. In coastal districts of Brittany, quite a few workers program their days off according to the “coefficients de marée”.<br /><br />It is always my pleasure to share what you have come across when hanging around by the sea… never enough of old hulls, sails and riggings in that world of plastic!<br /><br />Glad to see that you are still a member of the “Mise en Abyme” club ;-)<br /><br />Setu<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37070024.post-10454840411841036322014-08-18T20:46:23.465+02:002014-08-18T20:46:23.465+02:00Marly, sorry, missed you there. You are a lovely r...Marly, sorry, missed you there. You are a lovely reader, you always pick up these things, and you reminded me to put a 'gear and tackle' tag on it too!Lucyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09764296105901909328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37070024.post-40772407643920947512014-08-18T20:40:23.524+02:002014-08-18T20:40:23.524+02:00Thank you everyone.
Happily, Tom was able to take...Thank you everyone.<br /><br />Happily, Tom was able to take off his big fat life jacket once we were on the boat proper, but that will come later.<br /><br />Ellena - yes, I believe it's true about Fundy Bay, I read that when researching the matter!<br /><br />Robbie - Too true about the polysyllables, they do sometimes seem all too much and very pretentious, but that, perhaps, is Anglo-think, stemming originally from the division between the Norman and Saxon origins of English, and perhaps reinforced by the North/South conflict and also by the conscious reintroduction of Latin elements in the 18th century, which I suppose took place rather more easily in French as an already Romance language. I rather feel the anti-intellectualism of the British and our mistrust of 'big words' have roots which are deep and many. (in French of course, 'gros mots' are something quite other!) American English, and our mockery of their misused and falsely etymologised polysyllables - I once met a Mormon here, a congenial fellow, with whom I embarked on a conversation about the role of church and state, who remarked on how our kings and queens were 'coronated' by the church - is another historical ball game...<br /><br />'Coéfficient' is used in other contexts where we would simply use a word like 'range', as in 'tidal range'. One of my younger students, not a grandiose or wordy boy at all, said that he chose a particular lycée for his Bac because they offered a good 'coéfficient des matières'. Lucyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09764296105901909328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37070024.post-32072124657525711922014-08-18T19:54:53.319+02:002014-08-18T19:54:53.319+02:00That was indeed cheering, especially with the Hopk...That was indeed cheering, especially with the Hopkins spice!Marly Youmanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02377938366750387442noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37070024.post-25595370238660276412014-08-18T15:05:46.801+02:002014-08-18T15:05:46.801+02:00And where else could I tell what this traffic cop ...And where else could I tell what this traffic cop reminds me off.<br />I was young and whatever when I reached the usual intersection downtown Montreal, on my way to work. I cant remember what was going on there waterwise but I do remember that the traffic cop walked over to me and carried me to the other side. Ellenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14965850008354379369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37070024.post-78313186569950597112014-08-18T08:48:54.639+02:002014-08-18T08:48:54.639+02:00Don't wanna smile; I'm fed up. And I look ...Don't wanna smile; I'm fed up. And I look silly!Tomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09028121782477111901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37070024.post-61427505894108056822014-08-18T08:38:55.207+02:002014-08-18T08:38:55.207+02:00Tidal coefficient. Ah, la belle France, home to a ...Tidal coefficient. Ah, <i>la belle France</i>, home to a thousand overcharged polysyllables.Roderick Robinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16828395545197001637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37070024.post-87274300131470215612014-08-18T01:36:50.010+02:002014-08-18T01:36:50.010+02:00Smile Tom, the others don't look any better.Smile Tom, the others don't look any better. Ellenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14965850008354379369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37070024.post-59028973309654020952014-08-18T01:31:04.392+02:002014-08-18T01:31:04.392+02:00Thanks for taking us along, Lucy.
So cute to see t...Thanks for taking us along, Lucy.<br />So cute to see the little dog experiencing his first 'tidal mud walk'. I'm surprised that his leash was taken off, lying there besides the flip-flops.<br />No idea if it's true that our 16.8m high tides at The Bay of Fundy' are the highest in the world. We were there during low tide and had no time to wait around. Interesting difference between live boats and the ones in the boat cemetery and .... more to come, good. Ellenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14965850008354379369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37070024.post-15802678390730630662014-08-17T21:25:04.763+02:002014-08-17T21:25:04.763+02:00So much care taken of anything on a boat, but it s...So much care taken of anything on a boat, but it still wears hard. Rough beauty, earned. Zhoenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03515663141425057088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37070024.post-4539439041130238932014-08-17T18:39:24.851+02:002014-08-17T18:39:24.851+02:00I love your photos - so much fascinating texture a...I love your photos - so much fascinating texture and beauty! Looking forward to the rest of the story, Lucy.marja-leenahttp://www.marja-leena-rathje.infonoreply@blogger.com