France Travel: Red Deer

Today, walking the dog in the rain on my favourite trail, I caught a glimpse of a red deer as she dashed across the trail. What a special memory for my last walk here in St. Bertrand de Comminges.

France Travels: The flowers...

A scattering for the gardeners among us... girls and boys...

France Travel: Rainy Day Drive

As our time here comes to an end, we checked the forecast and it is for rain, rain, thundershowers, and torrential rain for days. Oh well, we might as well go for a drive any way we decided. We were advised to try the thermal spa at Balnea, less than an hour away. On the way we saw some lovely villages, ski hills, ski + thermal spa resorts, goats, cows and lots of rain. So much rain that the river we drove beside on the way home was in full flood. We also caught a few glimpses of the surrounding mountains. Enough to make us want to return in the spring for a better look.

http://www.balnea.fr/

Sorry Gentle Readers... the pics out of the rainy car window... not so much.

France Travel: Montrejeau Parade

We got up and dashed off to our favourite of the local markets this morning in Montrejeau. When we arrived we were surprised at how many cars there were given that it was a rather rainy morning. We were pleased to see that the municipality finally smartened up and blocked off the two market streets. We were just finishing a cafe au lait and wondering why there were so many people standing around when I heard a sort of cracking noise. I looked up, and lo, there were men on horseback with trumpets and whips. Next up? The antique tractors, with little kids riding with their granddads. After them the cows in yokes, pulling a variety of farm implements, then the lovely black horse, then the sheep (!), then an antique Citroen truck with women in the back dispensing wine. Yes, it is true, in French parades they don't throw candy to the kids, they give wine to the grown-ups. Then some more sheep, then some American military vehicles (weird), then some majorettes and a train full of singing seniors.

Antique tractor

The local Pyrenees sheep and their shepherds

Yes, it is that much fun!

Antique tractors and little kids = winning combination.

The wine truck.

The wine truck again.

The spinners! And our neighbour George. 

Discussing the parade with the neighbours.

France Travel: Fête Médiévale Part III The Feast

The medieval feast was the finale to the day of medieval festing...   mmmm...

Neighbours and fast friends Claire and Michel... Isla may have gotten a lot of the jellied fish preparation...

The fruit from our Medieval 'Sangria'

The courses make the rounds...

Medieval Beauty...

One of three troupes to entertain us...

The Couchon is displayed before preparation...

The ladies were most entranced with the skill of the bell guy...