Monday, December 10, 2012

The village Christmas market.




The village Christmas market. The Old Farmer dressed as Santa Claus. Madame Bay in a gravity defying turban and paisley poncho. She, Monsieur Bay and a coterie of grandchildren are on the stage of the salle des fetes slowly dancing to that Christmas classic  ' Killing me Softly ' as sung by Ms. Roberta Flack.  The mayor overseeing the setting up of the crib in his trademark pork pie hat.  Dogs, children, farmers and their wives, a coachload of zimmer framed visitors from the old folks home in the neighbouring village. Chaos - France profonde style.

We wander over mid-afternoon. A stall selling booklets on esoteric subjects - ' ancient vegetables ' or ' the benefits of Spiruline ' - is doing a roaring trade. Angus can imagine the scene on Christmas morning.  '' Look what I got you for Christmas Grandma ! A booklet on ancient vegetables ! ". Next door a husband and wife team that make espadrilles. ' The font ' looks at them and tries, unsuccessfully, to  interest Angus in a pair. By three o'clock the stallholders dogs have got bored and have left their beds under the tables in search of adventure. The Jack Russells lead them all in a parade in and out of the French windows.

Having failed to charm any ' lovely ladies ' to visit him in his magic grotto the Old Farmer wanders off. He and the Very Old Farmer are last seen sitting  drinking ' floc ' on the town hall steps.

12 comments:

  1. I am most intrigued by the 'petit guide' to bicarbonate.

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  2. It should be called the Christmas Bizarre Bazaar!

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  3. We're glad the Jack Russells got a mention, we thought of them straight off--wouldn't be a proper village function without them.

    XXXOOO Daisy, Bella & Roxy

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  4. Sounds more peaceful than Winchester Christmas Market

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  5. Christmas classic "Killing me Softly" aptly describes this unbelievable Christmas market scene....you lead an interesting life my friend...how many times have I said that before??
    The old farmer, though dressed in a Santa suit, still looks as if he's up to mischief....magic grotto...yeah right!

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  6. His magic grotto? I nearly choked on my yogurt!

    Are you sure you don't need a booklet on bicarbonates? I'm sure that could be very useful!

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  7. The old farmer in Santa attire. Magic grotto? Something a bit disturbing here.

    Love espadrilles. Just love them.

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  8. I think I need to live my life in the deepest of France profounde! Whimsical!

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  9. Love the jack russels leading the dog jumping parade - love from the FAb4 of Southern Italy

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  10. I like the Shih Tzu.

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