Bastille Day

[Stinky]

Bastille day in Pompadour.
Both cafes open, yes.
Sunny day yes.
Funfair in the car park, yes.
People out to enjoy a different day from the daily chores.
Pompier’s Parade.
Sirens sound from below the town square and get louder.
First is a fast response Saumur.
Blues and twos shrieking at the world.
And the the Pompiers, marching in order, shiny helmets blinding in the sun.
Outstanding.
Then they come.
All the Pompier’s vehicles.
Power in their colours, authority in their noise.
People clapping.
And then you see them.
Children.
Every vehicle packed with them.
To the gunwales.
Faces pressed to windows, frantic hands waving.
When you are nine years old, this is an important thing.
Leaning out of windows and screaming, ‘Look at me Mum’.
Seven vehicles.
Applause from the scattered crowd.
Photos and videos being taken.
The last vehicle is the biggest.
Huge ladders on it’s back.
And seated on the grinning driver’s lap, hands on the steering wheel, is a little girl.
So happy.
This is how you do it.
Well done Pompadour.

[Char]

Sounds like you had a nice time Stinky - 'twas very quiet around here.