Bank Holiday Tourism

When there is a bank holiday in France, everyone wants the day off. So it was that when we played the tourist, most of the tourist locations were close. I am sure this suites the French mentality, it was a very cheap tourist day out!

Charles de Gaulle tomb, wife and daughter too

It has to be said that the Charles de Gaulle memorial was open but we wanted just to visit the huge cross on the hill and to try and find his house. It turned out that the man was not born in the village where he is buried, but moved there and opened a restaurant of some sort. We could not visit it because it is now a tourist attraction, and closed on bank holidays. He went there partly for his daughter's health, but sadly she died aged 20 and is buried in the family tomb in the small cemetery next to the church.
CdG wanted a modest affair. It is almost, but there is also a large memorial in the centre of the cemetery and dozens of plaques along the wall.

Flies on the picnic bag-
We had thought that this location was ok,
but at least the yellow bag bunched most of them!

We did not stay for lunch. Wherever we went we were plagued by thunder-flies. We elected for an early bank holiday return home.

A 'Vitry' Parade

This weekend is a bank holiday. So this Saturday there is a brocante (jumble sale) and parade.

Since the parade goes right past our window, we were banned from parking near our house for a day!

Still it gave June an excellent viewpoint, whilst I elected to get some photos from a closer angle.

"La Mécanikabulle", a bubble making machine.

The Serenade!

As the parade passed, it often stopped. Here the "Magic Skatolog All Stars" serenade June, taking full advantage of an impromptu stop, and her!

"Most embarrassing" she said afterwards.

A Chinese Dragon embarrasses 2 girls by snuggling up

Some more embarrassing moments for some.

Traditional band

Some more photos from the day:

You can get too close!
These are the "Chromoaptères"

The local catholic church dancers

"Karib'k" - very energetic!

"Cie Magic Land" - very tall and frightening!

Touching the dragon!

Majorettes. <Click> if they are not dancing for you!

"Char ACP"- A tough lot, the lady carries the tuba.

Bobble blowing! <click> to see it in motion!

Chromoaptère in motion <click> to see it move.

A Wedding in France

We have been invited to a wedding in France. We have seen these as passers by but this is our first experience of one first hand. June was looking forward to driving through the village in convoy all sounding our horns. But this was the only thing lacking from a lovely afternoon and early evening.

Inside the Marie's office

Outside the Marie's office

Cameras at the ready!

The event starts at the Marie. Here the couple are legally married. The room is upstairs and far too small for us all so we wait outside the open doors taking it in turns to step forwards and snap a photo. Then down the narrow stairs where the bride and groom kiss everyone as they exit.

Just after the legal ceremony

The kiss (one of 3 in fact)

Once outside, and the photographers are waiting for the couple to appear and give the obligatory kiss to each other.

The next venue is a house down the road (hence the lack of car horns, we just needed to walk). The house and garden have been turned into an open-air location for the Christian ceremony.

The old house and grounds

Although it rained during the day, it kindly made sure we were all inside the Marie or under cover when it did so. After that it came out warm and sunny. So we were able to have the everyone-together big photo.

The group photo

We had a full Christian ceremony because this is a 'church do'. Then champagne and snacks as everyone socialised and took more photos,

Everyone has their own photos

and listened to the accordion player who went round everyone making sure he serenaded us all. He even played a couple of English songs when he discovered our secret!

The French love their hair dressers and several ladies had special creations. Fortunately the bride outdid them all, as you can see here. Flowers are interwoven in the design.

Hair creation

The Accordion Player finds June and Mary

You can be sure that I was not the only one to snap the hair creation.

As the evening wore on, the bride and groom found time for a moment together and we enjoyed more accordion playing.

A moment together

Music

And we finally left just before the sun was setting on the garden party and close family retired indoors for a late night…

Back to England

So we worked it out that going back to England would take a similar time to going down to the cottage here in France. Time to the boat is about 3½ hours. The boat is 1½ hours, and the travelling in England another 2 hours depending on our exact destination. About 7 hours in all compared to 6¾ to get to the cottage (includes 2 ✕ 20 minute stops).
Of course the boat was late and the M2 on the English side was closed, so too the junction from the M25 onto the M11; both of which we wanted. But we still arrived at mother's roughly when we expected to.
Some photos:

A walk round poppy fields

And it was great to see my side of the family. Apologies to all Martins and Gassons who we could not get to see this trip. Next time; promise!

Clare has to improve my photos if she can

Dog interest

Jon and Hina (and me if you look carefully)

And back through the playing fields

The trip home, in the wet!