It rains overnight but Armistice Day dawns bright and fair.
Bob and his master head across the fields to the little 12th century chapel. There are usually one or two pilgrims around resting their feet or taking a break from their journey but this morning there's not a soul to be seen.
Sophie's nose continues to display a most amazing lustre.
Back in the village the 11.00 am Armistice Day ceremony gets underway at 11.15. The mayor reads, inaudibly, the message from the President. The names of the village dead recited. 'Mort pour la France' intoned after each name. Everyone present, with the exception of Angus, related by blood to the fading names on the memorial. The first name that of the Mayors great uncle. Dead within a week. The youngest villagers, as is the custom, lay a wreath. This year it's two slightly bemused three year olds. Their mothers beam proudly. The little lady in the purple hat sings, as she sings every year, the Marseillaise slowly and wistfully. Nothing grand about it - more a love song to lost boys. The church bells ring. The pigeons on the belfry take wing. This is the unchanging France far from the cities and motorways.
After the ceremony, over a glass of champagne in The Rickety Old Farmhouse, Monsieur Bay tells me a joke.
Britain and America are in a bar having a drink.
Britain: "Brexit was the stupidest most self-destructive act
a country could ever undertake".
America: "Hold my drink
and watch this ! "
12 comments:
That's the first time I've laughed since Tuesday night.
A great big virtual hug to Monsieur Bay, s'il vous plait.
Some jokes hold more than a kernel of truth !
Are you sure that Sophie doesn't shine her nose with Cherry Blossom when no-one's looking?
A lovely tradition that I hope continues to the next generation.
I also chuckled at the joke. I still cannot believe he was elected. Many of us agree that this election for him was (probably) more about "winning" and not that he wanted to be president. Maybe and hopefully *we* are wrong. And lets not forget the beautiful Melania Trump. While lovely "arm-candy" I also wonder how she really feels about leaving New York City, their gold penthouse and now having to "work" as first lady?
Goodness....a shiny nose that even Rudolph would be proud of.
Monsieur Bay made my day! At tomes we need to laugh to keep from endless crying. DBH---Dianne
Just as I thought: the world must think us the stupidest nation on earth! There were several million that did not vote for Trump, I am one of them.
Still in mourning.
Kathy
Funny joke, and true.
We don't!
We're holding your hands across the pond even tighter.
Pictures of the quiet French countryside are always most welcome. I thought of the Very Old Farmer not being among those gathered for the Armistice Day ceremony. Your description of the simple ceremony is so poignant.
Kitty Puppy, that's very kind. Thank you.
Oh, what I could say but won't. Like Trump told the truth about a rigged system, how else could he have won? Or, I can't wait for the "huge" golf course to be built on the front lawn of the White House, surrounded by imported palm trees! All of 'that old furniture' in the White House thrown out, and replaced with gold gilt everything! As you enter from the portico, the casino on the left and the lounge on the right. All pictures of former Presidents removed, and again, "huge" oil paintings the size of billboards, of only Trump. No, I will not say these things, because he would consider them "mean"! I will just think them.
You forgot the neon sign on the roof!
Bea
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