Bank holiday boules

I finished putting the kitchen straight this morning.  Then, it being the Fête de Travail bank holiday, we had a stroll and were invited in for tea and biscuits as we passed a friend's house.  It made a pleasant interlude on a lazy day.  Today is also called the Fête du Muguet (lily of the valley). On May 1st, 1561, King Charles IX of France received a lily of the valley as a lucky charm. He decided to offer a lily of the valley each year to the ladies of the court. At the beginning of the 20th century, it became custom to give a sprig of lily of the valley, a symbol of springtime, on May 1st. The government permits individuals and workers' organisations to sell them tax-free. Nowadays, people may present loved ones either with bunches of lily of the valley or dog rose flowers.