When I first arrived in Clermont de l’Oise, it was cold. I was offered a bike, I refused, always hated it. I was content to explore the city on foot, over a limited area, from Les Sables to Belle-Assise via Faÿ. The president had just changed, and people, like in Marseille, were gritting their teeth. I had the impression that there were many of them working for the city, also socialist, but I quickly understood that there were many of them doing what they could, waiting, concentrating on the essentials, and dreaming of less sad days. They go fishing, kiss by the water, adopt a dog, start a family. And keep life in them.