It's Summer in St. Céré

It took a long time getting here, but, almost as if a celestial tap was opened on the night of June 20th, summer arrived here in St Céré bang-on the Summer solstice - June 21st. Just in time for music night.

After a long, cool, wet Spring, which saw well above average rainfall, wellies were thrown back in the boot room where they belong and the annual search for swimming stuff commenced, as temperatures soared.

Finally guaranteed more than one day of sunshine, local farmers made hay - literally - seizing the chance of some decent drying weather, to cut and bail the grass for winter fodder. If you do not know your Klaus from your swath-turner, you will not be that impressed, but many small dairy farmers scattered in the hills and dales around St. Céré, tend to rely on an early hay-making, so that they can get in a late grass cut in autumn, before the weather changes. No second cut, means fodder needs to be bought in, should the winter turn severe and linger. The price of milk these days! The (selfish) point being, of course, is that as long as small farmers flourish here in rural France, the longer we get to enjoy unspoilt "looked-after" countryside.

So, for the rest of us non-farmers...? Well, like expats anywhere in France, suddenly deprived of our favourite subject , we turn our minds from the bad weather of the last few months, to each of our next two favourite subjects... the pursuit of happiness and the increasingly elusive euro. Oh, and keeping the kids amused in the long hot summer holiday.

Music Night is one of those brand new "traditions" that everyone in France has taken to. Introduced by the French Culture Minister Jack Lang, some 25 years ago, it basically allows anyone with a musical bent, to set up on 21 June and play music in the streets, without having to have a licence (permis). Big deal we hear you say? Well, in a country that is ruled by bureaucrats and in a paper-constricted society, where just to cut somebody's grass needs reams of paperwork, yes... sans-permis ANYTHING is a big deal in France!

Anyway, we digress... Music Night in St. Céré... Place Mercadial was heaving, pretty much all day. Both the Café Voyageur (Place de la République) and Bar Au Passé Simple (Rue de la République) had live bands and just about every café, bar and restaurant in St. Céré was packed. To the extent that those that couldn't get a seat, just lined the streets... and not a drunken yob, troublemaker, crash barrier or policeman to be seen. Vive la France! It didn't rain either, like last year.

Summer Kids in St. Céré

Well, in short, they are totally spoilt for choice, so you would wonder how they could ever mouth those dreaded words, "... I'm bored".

Siramon Gymkhana

Siramon, the local riding school Gymkhana took place in scorching heat, the weekend of 21st June, with many headaches caused by the preceding music night displayed by some parents. The kids excelled themselves, naturally, and a great time was had by all - including the horses. Mind you, jumping in the river immediately after you could get out of your fancy dress (the kids, not the parents) had to be high on the list of highlights for many a minor-equestrian! Siramon have a website:
www.saint-cere-equitation.com

Kermesse

To view a quick slide show of the Primary School Kermesee - click the photo below

The annual public schools Kermesse (fête) took place Sunday 29 June in Place de la République, in 30 degree heat. First on in the afternoon were the little ones from the two Ecole Maternelle. What troupers... especially considering some were wearing sackcloth costumes. In that heat. Well done all.

The rest of the afternoon was taken up with the usual fun and games at the various fête stalls. Once again the kids and the odd unaware adult got their usual drenching with the water-pistols sold by Helen and Jean Michel Brunet. Aware adults retired to the Buvette to down ice-cold draught Kronenbourg, served up by the visibly wilting volunteer barmen.

A quick check at the lost property stall to retrieve long forgotten jackets and hats left throughout the term and it was time for the Primary School to strut their stuff.

Zapping Opera
What a superb show they put on. Amazing stuff and delivered with just the right amount of pizzazz, pride and humour. If ever these kids grow up to love opera... well they first got the taste here. For that was the theme... opera, from Mozart to Offenbach with several others in between. Each class did their bit and if you were a scout for "France Has Talent", then your pen would have run out of ink!

The show was over all too soon, in spite of the fact that no fat lady sang. It would be impossible to single out individuals here, so with the old adage that a picture is worth a thousand words, you can get a Quick-Tour slide show of the goings on, by clicking the the image of the beer glasses below. Bearing in mind, of course, that politically correct Britain now bans cameras from school shows. Try and do that in France and there would be a riot. Enjoy.

To view a Quick-Tour slide-show of the Sulhol School Kermesse, please click the beer glasses above