Party time

The 14th July, or Le Quatorze is France's national day. There is a huge parade in Paris and every town and commune celebrates. Little St Antonin with its 450 inhabitants always puts on a fine show, with a very loud firework display and a much louder band that plays all the popular tunes by popstars living and dead. Everybody dances from the oldest granny to the smallest baby in its mother's arms. This year, instead of the traditional sit-down meal, we had a running buffet, quite naturally washed down with wine made in the village. At 3 Euros a litre it might be a bit suspect, but it's good stuff and wins prizes at several important wine fairs. We went down to join in the fun with John and Jan who were staying in the wing, and quickly met up with some French friends and some Belgian friends of theirs. Svea loves her dancing so pranced and twirled around the floor, twirling me and passing friends with her. We withdrew, slightly unsteadily sometime after midnight, while the band played on long after our heads had hit the pillows.