My Donkey, My Lover & I (Antoinette dans les Cévennes)

20, 19, 18, 17...

4,

3, 2, 1, 0!

- It's not too much? - No!

So...

Whatever you do, don't speed up, OK?

Stay nice n' calm.

There's no rush.

Like the rehearsal earlier.

It was perfect.

You're beautiful.

Beautiful!

You're beautiful. You're magnificent.

Thank you!

We have to get in position. Come on.

Hush!

Stay here till they've finished, OK?

OK, our turn.

And now, grade 5, Mrs. Lapouge's class.

One night I fall asleep with him

But I know it's forbidden

And I feel the fever biting me

Without a shadow of remorse

And the dawn brings me sleep

I don't want the sun to come

When I take his head in my hands

I swear I feel sorrow

And I'm wondering

If this love will have a tomorrow

When I'm far from him

When I'm far from him

I'm no longer

in my right mind

And I'm no longer from here

I'm no longer from here

I feel the rain from another planet

From another planet

Unbelievable!

You're completely crazy!

Didn't the kids do great?

- Where's your wife? - No idea.

- Alice must have realized. - Yeah, I know.

Like my dress?

Yes, you look marvelous.

What's that smell?

What?

- Can't you smell it? - No.

Yes, it smells...

like...

vacation time!

In 3 days' time!

We could go to the Grand Palais.

Should I book it?

If you like.

We'll go out, won't we?

We won't stay in bed for a week!

I want us to do lots together.

Antoinette...

Vladimir...

I'm not here next week.

The 3 of us are going to the Cévennes.

The 3 of us?

Not you. Me, Alice and Eléonore.

She isn't going to the seaside. She just told us.

You're joking?

- Tell her you can't. - I tried.

But you're working.

Why not go in August?

Everything's set up in August.

10 days with her friends, 10 days with our families...

Alice is so excited about hiking with a donkey.

I know.

My love...

How long for?

A week.

It's usually 12 days. We'll do half.

I'll be back in a week.

Yes, and so will she.

Yes...

She's coming.

When do you go?

Monday.

I know.

See you tomorrow afternoon?

Can you open the door, please?

Wait for me!

Mister!

My Donkey, My Lover & I

Next stop: Chasseradès.

Sorry.

Sorry.

You can pick your room.

- See you later. - OK.

Now then...

Name?

Antoinette Lapouge.

Lapouge! You phoned yesterday?

It wasn't easy.

Next time, book earlier, Mrs. Lapouge.

Well, I managed to book everything.

OK, let me explain.

A 6-day hike, right?

That's right.

Look.

We're here: Chasseradès.

OK? Day 1:

Chasseradès to Le Bleymard, 20 kms.

Day 2: Le Bleymard

to Pont-de-Montvert, 18 kms.

Day 3: a longer hike.

Pont-De-Montvert to Florac, 26 kms.

Day 4: Florac to Cassagnas,

19 kms. Day 5: Cassagnas

to Saint Étienne, 22 kms.

Day 6: Saint Étienne to Saint Jean-du-Gard, 19 kms.

I tried to even it up.

Bed and board is booked.

You get your own lunch. Do you know how it works?

Not really.

It's easy. You book a packed lunch.

You pay in advance. 870 euros, cash or check.

Oh, 870 euros.

I told you on the phone.

A 6-day hike: 870 euros.

Donkeys cost money.

Sure.

So,

itinerary, map, garbage bags.

There are 2. Let me explain.

Put your things evenly in them.

Leave your case here for now.

- Alright? - Right.

Here.

Dinner at 7, breakfast at 8.

The dormitory's that way. There's room upstairs.

Need a towel?

Oh, yes, please.

- Towel. - Thanks.

See you later.

Come eat. I'm hungry.

Ah, the latecomer!

She phoned yesterday to book.

Hello.

You're lucky we still had a donkey.

You have a donkey?

Yes, I do.

Don't you?

No.

It's optional.

We don't have to copy everything Stevenson did.

No, thanks. We're not crazy!

He didn't do it for fun.

They hadn't invented the backpack, the pop-up tent...

They couldn't carry everything.

They hadn't even invented the sleeping bag.

He had to get one made.

So, I'm the only one walking with a donkey?

It'll be great.

- Are you alone? - Yes.

Great.

Ever walk with a donkey?

No.

- It's your first hike? - Right.

That's good.

Well, actually...

I wasn't going to be alone,

I was meeting someone, but...

he's not here.

Were you meeting him here?

Yes, well...

He said he was doing the Stevenson trail.

You know it doesn't start here?

It starts much further up at Monastier-sur-Gazeille.

Did he say he was starting from here?

Yes, well... I think he's only doing half.

You mean he doesn't know you're here? Is it a surprise?

In a way.

I said "he".

It is a "he"? It's a man?

Yes, it's a man!

Your lover?

Sorry, but it's a habit.

Things are very friendly here.

We don't stand on ceremony.

Well, yes, he's my lover.

That's good.

Call him.

Yes, but no.

What are you?

Orange?

Oh, no, but...

Use mine.

No, that's very kind, but...

I can't, actually.

Actually, he's not alone.

OK...

He's with...

his wife?

Yes.

Well, that's...