I had a late one last night as the music festival continued with the “D’Etonnantes Festival” up on the Champ de Mars, just above the old town and which featured all girl groups.  I went along with Denise and Lauren where we met up with Michel and Peter from French.  The band stand was set up with its back to the road, which meant the bank opposite made a good natural seating area for the spectators.  The concert was meant to start at 8 but of course it was gone 9 before the first group came on.  These were “Ma Larsen” who played a mixture of ska, jazz funk and pop.  They were followed by “Subway” a rock band with an excellent lead vocalist.  The group headlining the event were “Les Suprème Dindes” (The Turkey Supremes) who consisted of 2 girls and 2 transvestites.  This band was obviously more professional and made a great sound until the lead singer opened her mouth.  Denise told me this music was more your typical French pop music.  We thoroughly enjoyed the evening and the music that was played and were pleased that there was a good turnout.  It was colder than the previous evening, however, with a cool wind and we were glad of our fleeces and the blankets Michel had thoughtfully brought along.

I was up early this morning to accompany Rick and Sue to Maddy’s nursery school fete.  There are 3 classes in the “maternelle” and each put on a little show for us.  These included the weather, the world and other countries.  Maddy’s class, which comprises the youngest children, sang and danced nursery rhymes from different countries, their having one English, one Romanian, one Moroccan and one Marrakech in their group.  The English rhyme chosen was ‘Ring a Ring of Roses’.  The final song caused much hilarity as the final verse ended up with laying of hands on their partner’s backside.  This was danced again in a grand finale when all the parents and older school children, who had come out to watch the show, joined in.

After lunch, from 3 o’clock onwards, the fete would continue with the usual side stalls and picnics but Rick and I elected to walk back to Chantemerle from St Chaffrey.  As we passed by M. and Madame Puy’s épicerie, Jose recognised me and hurried over all smiles to kiss me and ask how we were enjoying life in Le Serre Barbin.