VE Day. On our morning walk we see that the mayor has been up at the crack of dawn to put out the flags on the village war memorial. May is a month of bank holidays in France. Three of them, all falling on a Thursday. This of course means that most people take the Wednesday and the Friday off too. Luckily this year we don't need the electrician, the plumber or the builder.
In the little market town they've also got the flags out. Four wreaths laid on the cobbles in front of the war memorial. Blue chrysanthemums in vogue this year. To add gravitas the flower beds are decorated with tricolors and the greengrocers cardboard boxes have been stacked in an orderly pile.
We've missed the wreath laying but are just in time to see a stage being set up outside the town hall. The ancient combatants are having a bingo morning. And not just any bingo morning ! Mickey and Minnie Mouse are there to read out the numbers. Bob doesn't seem bothered by the incongruous sight of two enormous mice. Sophie is altogether less happy. She observes proceedings from a safe position behind 'the fonts' legs. By eleven the ancient combatants are onto their third glass of wine and the bingo is becoming more animated. A rather jovial lady in a red baseball cap joins Mickey and Minnie on the stage. She tries to get them to dance. They seem less than keen. What they're saying to each other behind their perma-smiles is any one's guess. Through it all the old soldiers fill out their bingo cards and drink, merrily, away. After a tapas lunch there's a lottery .
The polished sophistication of life in deepest,deepest France profonde.
14 comments:
Incongruous was our first thought. We've completely missed the point of Mickey and Minnie.
XXXOOO Bella & Roxy
All dose holidays sound like a good idea!
So glad the old soldiers were enjoying themselves and not sitting there, looking at Minnie Mouse, and grumbling "and this is what we fought for?"
Cheers, Gail.
Is that a photo of Bob without a muddy nose ?
Were there mouse ears for the bingo participants?
Bob has the most kindly eyes
We're Mickey and Minnie Mouse popular in France during the war years? We don't quite understand their presence. At least there was wine for the old soldiers.
Yes, Bob's eyes, a look as soft a velvet.
We don't understand what the Disney twins were doing there. Perhaps it was for the old soldiers grandchildren ? There again how many Mickey and Minnie Mouse bingo callers can there be ?
A rare occurrence.
Where did they come from :? Do they have day time jobs ? Have they cornered the local bingo market ? Is this a French thing ? So many questions.
It was a non-grumbling day. The town hall was paying for the wine..... and the tapas lunch. Presumably the mayor had organized the mice as a festive treat ? One of the surprises of life where no tourist dares to tread.
Ha! That was my first thought, too: Bob's nose is clean!!
Goodness, M & M came all the way from Florida and all everyone can say is what was the point of them being there? It's quite clear to me that they were invited as they share a great love of bread and cheese with the ancient combatants, and probably a great love of wine also, by the end of the day.
Love that you call them ancient combatants.
Mickey and Minnie Mouse bingo...how cute yet quaint and strange at the same time...I would have expected to see them at kid's bingo.
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