Between 1807–1814 Napoleon’s Grand Armée fought Wellington’s, Portuguese and Spanish troops in what the English call the Peninsular Campaign. Between 1813 and 1814 the French army eventually widthdrew across the Pyrenees. Napoleon’s brother Joseph who had been installed as King of Spain made a quick exit and eventually ended up in New Jersey.

The Spaniards have a very long memory for stuff, particularly of the historical kind. My grandmother who spent her early childhood in Spain in the waning years of the 19^th century used to tell me of rude people who left a party without saying goodbye as “despedirse a la francesa,” or “saying goodbye French style.” The expression came from the quick French exit to avoid Wellington’s troops.

In these waning days of summer as fall approaches my once blooming roses (not remontant) have bid me goodbye. But some of my roses, in particular the English Rose Rosa ‘Abraham Darby’ has the odd bloom. I was almost sorry to cut this one today for the scan. It has a glorious scent of fresh fruit. The scent lingers in my nose and Abraham Darby has a few more to go before it politely says goodby.