The sun has shone on us again this year for the 11th of the 11th. Armistice day is a bank holiday here and we gather every year at the monument aux morts.

The mayor reads a speech sent by the president, the children read a poem prepared at school, the “gerbe” ( a floral tribute) is laid at the monument, the mayor reads out the names on the monument(after each name those gathered reply “mort pour la France”) the last post is followed by a minutes silence and the Marseillaise and we adjourn for a Kir and some  fouace ( Sometimes fouace is a cake in the madeira cake style, sometimes it’s more like a brioche, if you get given the choice go for the brioche version every time.)

The whole thing is very respectful and sensitively done, but at the same time, the traditional rather lax approach to timekeeping of the Aveyron can creep in. Last year for example there was a decision that 11.30 was quite early enough , a decision that some (yours truly in particular) ranted against and normal service was returned this year,  and I have been asked by people “When are you doing the 11th in Bournazel?” because locally quite a few villages play a bit fast and loose with times and dates!

Lest we forget