Monday, August 13, 2012

The dog show.






The annual dog show in the neighbouring village. A wall of noise. Hunting horns, children, dogs and local farmers all making their own unscripted contribution to the cacophony. Chaos French style. In the corner a show ring with a group of very bored beagles . The beagles are patiently waiting while the judges have a mid-morning 'pick me up'. Sensing that things are progressing slowly the griffon bleus , the next in line to be judged, have sensibly fallen asleep.

In the afternoon we wander over to the village hall. The young farmers club have set up a wide screen television to watch the France v Sweden handball finals. At least half of the villages 67 inhabitants have shown up. Children, the young farmers, their wives and a gaggle of ever active Jack Russells . The Jack Russells entertain themselves by leaping in and out of the windows.

For the great occasion someone has bought a job lot of patriotic red, white and blue tricoleur wigs. Madame Bay, Monsieur Bay, Sandrine and the good for nothing son-in-law Hugo are all wearing them. So is the mayor. Angus dons his reluctantly . Extremely reluctantly. ' The font ' cheers on Sweden . Sweden loses 22-21. ' The font ' feels sorry for the Swedish 'boys'. The average Swedish boy on the team  is 2 metres tall and weighs 110 kilos. Angus thinks they'll get over the disappointment quite quickly. The mayor offers ' the font ' a commisaratory glass of armagnac and a salving comment :  '' There's always next time "  . 

On our way home 'the font' observes that it's not every day you get condolences and a glass of armagnac from a  man with a multi-coloured acrylic perm .

13 comments:

  1. The hunting horns hurt my ears. I can only imagine what the poor dogs were thinking!

    A video with the acrobatic Jack Russells and a Scottish gentleman in a tricolor wig would be priceless! It must have looked like the circus was in town. ;)

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  2. One wonders how many such special moments have been enjoyed all over the world these last two weeks.

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  3. I hope there was lots of shade and water for the pooches.

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  4. My thought at the end of the video was that someone should have said 'let the hunt begin!!'

    But you didn't mention which breed was your favorite at the show? I still somehow see a Scottie in your future...

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  5. A day surrounded by dogs is a LOVELY day.....mandatory wig or not, I'm sure you had a good time.

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  6. Replies
    1. After we've been to India and China and the CC's have been visited. Probably May. A lot of stored up family visits !

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  7. i want to live in your village!
    that beautiful little face in the corner
    looking up at you...
    i'm glad the next picture is up close...
    that means you gave a friendly pat hello.
    love,
    tammy j

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  8. The beagle bunch don't look too happy. Angus should have shown them his wig; that would have caused some canine chuckles.

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  9. And a good time was had by all!

    Stella

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  10. I think I will share this!

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  11. you know, you got to love those 'Jacques Russells'!!

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  12. Well observed, Font!

    The Jack Russells are lucky they weren't painted in patriotic colours.

    XXXOOO Daisy, Bella & Roxy

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