St. Germain - Day 3

Sunday was the third day of the Fete Votive of our local little town. We'd seen signs about some sort of fair or 'Foire Foraine' starting at 3 o'clock followed by a bike race at 5. So we thought we'd walk down to investigate. It was scalding hot - 43 degrees on our verandah - so by the time we got to the town we needed a cold beer! As with all of these things, nothing starts on time, although we never found our Fair, except for an english-type fair, with Dogems, rides, etc.

However, at about ten past five, things started to happen around the town square.

The race was for 'Unidentified wheeled Objects' and so, as you can see, a strange collection of contraptions and characters began to assemble at the start line.

The race seemed to be under the control of a gentleman who I'd met at our house when he brought our band of troubadors to collect money to pay for the Fete. I'd read in the booklet he gave us which explained all about the events, where it kept refering to the 'Occitan Poet' and I guessed that it was 'He'. So I was readily able to identify our 'Poet' as he was lining up the competitors.

All of this activity was watched with great interest by all and sundry.

Both young and old!

Finally everything was to the 'Peot's' satisfaction.

and the race was off!

One or two had teething problems like a chain coming off or the back wheel tied up with string so it couldn't go round, but everybody made at least half a circuit before equipment failure.

Charitably, the Nun was given a lift to what was agreed was the finishing line.

A group of very hot but happy competitors then retired to the Beer Tent, having given a lot of pleasure to a lot of people ( and a lot of belly laughs for Sue ).