Ready for the National Day

I’ve not really done a great deal today…

I had a restful start to the day, with the sun not hitting Wally until after 9 a.m…by which time I’d had breakfast, in the cool shade, and done my shopping list – along with my updated blogs, and even started to work out what I was going to do for the next week !

Late morning I was up to the shopping centre, where a well placed McDonalds allowed me to catch up on publishing blogs, and emails, before going next door to the Intermarche’ supermarket, and getting fresh food for the next few days, and back to this wonderful Aire (all free !) for a nice shady type lunch, and snooze in the hot midday sunshine.. before repairing my broken sun chair, a work of good engineering, and sewing to fix it ( and I was very pleased with the result..) ! I have realised it’s time to start heading for home though, last pack of Coffee,tea bags…and tragic…Chicken curry sauce and Naan Breads, time to head North (when I’ve finished here though)

Then later afternoon as I thought it cooled down, I rode into Sant Amand Montrond, called ion at the Tourist office for a map, and then made my way to the Church, which was in the old part of the town/village.. I had hoped to catch an evening mass,but none was available, so I soaked in the wonderful stained glass windows , and then wandered through the ‘old’ part of the village, with the old quaint houses ..dating back..years !

Then as I made way to return to the Aire, I came across a load of barriers being set up ..eventually a Gendarme made me understand that a National day Parade was about to take place..so I stayed to watch, not quite immediately, but 1 1/2 hours later..it all set off , with all the local dignitaries on the stands to watch, and the army,Gendarmerie,Fire Brigade, and youth all taking part, very impressive, I even took my cap off for the innumerable times the ‘National Anthem ‘ was  played !

With everyone applauding as all the differing public services paraded in the hot evening sunshine.. I couldn’t see this happening in Britain, maybe it should !

At the conclusion, I rode back to Wally, a nice Chicken curry and cheese supper, ready for another peaceful night, Bonne Nuit !