In the moment or by the clock?

I'm not sure whether this is city versus rural, or France versus England, but in the week I've been back in London I've been noticing some differences. In France, back at Le Colombier, everything helps you to be "in the moment" - whatever that moment is. It might be about the seasons, or the weather, or market day, or aperitif time, or coffee on the terrace. The moment is as long as it takes. If it's fine, you sit outside. If it's raining, you stay in.

There are a few things you need to be aware of in terms of time; shops close for lunch; lunch is served between 12.00 and 2.00 so if you want lunch out you to have to remember to be in time. But of course it's only city-basd foreigners who would ever want to eat outside of the main eating moments.

Whereas in London life is ruled by the clock, agendas, plans. You can shop and eat 24/7. The weather was really bad the other day - cold, windy, heavy rain; but everyone still carried on rushing from a to b, getting to work, coming back from work, rushing between meetings, going to the gym, getting to that class, going Christmas shopping, meeting up with friends, remembering the train schedules and the last tube home. And texts and phone calls on the ever present mobile to schedule, reschedule, plan and replan. All commuters hear the mobile phone "I'm on the train" refrain day in, day out.

Cafes proudly display there wi-fi zone notices; laptops jostle with the latte and americanos; and busy busy executives are grouped around the tables in earnest conversation, jostling files and papers, or on their phones.

Whereas sitting outside La Belle Epoque in Nyons, you just watch the world go by. It's a cafe moment. And probably in the sun.