the circus is in town

Each school hols the big grassy stretch on the Esplanade between the city and the river is home to a circus of some sort. Sometimes Joseph Ashton, every two or three years Cirque du Soleil and this time the Great Moscow Circus.

Apart from a paddock of feisty little ponies not another critter in sight which, from my point of view anyway, is a good thing. No wild bears, lions or tigers being cajoled by leotard wearing, whip or chair bearing bods.

The caravans and mobile stables circle a great space of grass like the settlers wagons of cowboy films and through the gaps can be spied blokes tinkering with thrill spill motorbikes and costumes flapping on washing lines on this very blustery day.