France in Focus

We were invited to our farmer neighbour's birthday bash to be held today in a marque at a local church field.
The bash was a joint affair to celebrate his plus daughter & sister's birthday & was to be a pig roast (he's a pig farmer amongst other things) done by Eric le Sausage the local meat entrepreneur for about 100 guests.
The invite was to be there at mid-day so knowing how these things work, I declined as it's far too hot for me to be sat on a wooden bench under canvas for the interminable time these affairs inevitably take.
Mme being Mme accepted & me, having given my apologies, has stayed at home on dog sitting duty.
Mme has just messaged me to say that " needless to say they're still waiting to be fed".
No surprises there then & Dog knows what time she'll be home.
We've proprieters invites to the local chasse bash at the end of this month where bucket loads of crevettes & wine , followed by something they've shot & spuds is consumed whilst sat on hard benches under canvas with similar start & indeterminate eating time is the norm.
Been to that gig about 20 times so far but seriously considering giving it a miss if temperature continues as it is.
Edit 1630 hrs.
Mme has just messaged to say " we've finally eaten & now it's like watching life in slow motion"
Edit 2
Mme finally got home at about 1930hrs

Age and experience do have their value.

Loup-garou wrote: ↑Sun Aug 09, 2026 4:00 pm Age and experience do have their value.

How true

We are booked as usual for our Fête des Voisons for next weekend. Normally, by mid-August the temperatures are moderating but this year, I suspect it won't just be the pig that gets roasted. At least there is a constant stream of drinks - not necessarily alcoholic - up to the meal being served.

We had our local Fête des Moules" recently which was held on the salt march between the dyke and the sea. Unlike last year and the year before when it rained, it was a beautiful but hot day. OH and I were asked if we'd be unofficial first aiders, along with a friend who's a first aider with the Croix Rouge. We had our own Poste de Secours, shade, seating, free nosh and drinks .... perfick ! Whilst there were 2 very large marquees, most people had to sit at long tables in the sun. It was heaving and started at midday, finishing well into the night. The music was fantastic and the drink flowed non-stop. There were a lot of extremely merry people short-tacking around the site .... and we had just a couple of minor things to deal with. By the time people had queued up to get their moules, they were well-sloshed ..... but it was a really good atmosphere. The French love their long drawn out meals and it's a great event for all the locals.

Mme returned from the party knackered & still is today.
She says that sat for 7 hours on a backless wooden trestle is too much for her.
I reckon it's constantly wriggling one's arse to stop it going to sleep that causes it.
The locals mostly seemed to enjoy the experience so probably in their genes after generations doing things like this.
Bugger that for a game of soldiers.
Too much for this old Rosbif.