Allons enfants de la patrie

Armistice Day today, so the traditional ceremony at the war memorial. Serge read the list of names of the fallen, and then made his own speech because he refuses to read out the official one. 

The children from Fontenay-sous-Bois, a town near Paris, are here this week for a classe verte; they bulked out the numbers of the choir (and also, it has to be said, greatly increased its diversity!). They sang a song, not sure what it was, and then Serge used his considerable vocal talents to lead an a capella version of the Marseillaise. I confess I still don't know anywhere near all of the words, but I think I was not alone in that! Our village has had a partnership with Fontenay for nearly 30 years, and the children always seem to enjoy their stay. Extra: the wind having a go at ripping the flag out of the bearer's hands.

Then it was the traditional apero, sorry verre d'amitié, outside the bar. We didn't stay that long. Thanks to the wind, the sky is its traditional blue, but it's a bit chilly. I went out for a podcast walk later, but retreated fairly rapidly in the teeth of the gale.