11 November

[Sparkle]

Just came back from my walk and was caught out by this

20211111_151104.jpg

[Veem]

What do you mean?

[Doug]

This morning at 11am we had the remembrance of 11th, first time in two years due to covid.
Vin d'honor at the maree after, about equal brits and french attended.
One surprise was that all service men recently killed in Africa were read out, up to September this year.
But I've only edited it twice?

[Sparkle]

Same here - nothing for the last two years except there was no remembrance this year either. @Veem just seeing the one beautiful wreath on a lovely sunny day that's what caught me if that makes any sense at all.

[Spardo]

@Doug

about equal brits and french attended.

Quite different here, a good turnout compared to the 5 or 6 of us in May, about 30. But I was the only Englishman.
Good chat at the vin d'honneur afterwards and the kir was very very strong. I asked my neighbour, Thierry, who is a councillor if he did the mixing. Yes, he said with a wink.

My first one, 22 years ago, I had Lira the Greyhound with me and wasn't sure about the acceptance but she was welcomed, including into the salle which surprised me. Good job too, in those days it was much more lavish with whisky, port and other stuff and Lira led me home. Not bad really, seeing as she was only adopted on the 5th.

I made it back today without a dog, and spent much of the afternoon snoozing. I suppose total abstinence at home due to Fran's alcoholism has left me a little vulnerable.

BTW, almost all were wearing masks.

[Veem]

This was the first French armistice ceremony we'd been to since 2004 when I didn't wear my dark navy woollen coat. It only comes out for November 11 and the occasional funeral. Today it was so bright, sunny and mild that I didn't need it.

Names of soldiers recently killed in Africa were read out here too.

The turnout was good, but only 6 of us there who I knew definitely were Brits.

[Doug]

No masks here as all were outside, at the maree tables were out on the lawns it being so sunny, first time in years not to be frozen, no pass asked for as the mayor knew all attending.

[Wilbro]

I went to ours today, by myself as my wife is visiting family in the UK. I wanted to go to the vin d'honneur afterwards but annoyed as I'd promised to be elsewhere following the service. Beautiful sunny day and I would have enjoyed a chat as before in the salle communale.

[Sparkle]

Well how lovely is that ie we're all from different departments and the sun has shone for us.

[DominicBest]

No masks here as all were outside, at the maree tables were out on the lawns it being so sunny, first time in years not to be frozen, no pass asked for as the mayor knew all attending.

Nearly everyone here was wearing masks.