Jewelled

The fog was light down at the house this morning, but thicker up in the village.  After a morning stroll around the garden looking for pretty spider webs (ok, I didn't make it off the terrace) we headed up for the supposed War Memorial ceremony.  But to our surprise, there was no 'supposed' about it.  In fact, around 20 locals were there (I was the youngest grown up by some way, and the kids were the only kids).  The Mayor was delighted to see us, and asked if the kids would mind helping her put the flowers on the memorial.  In fact, in the event, the veteran who was also there was unwilling to let anyone else touch the flowers - so he did it!  But the kids took their role seriously nonetheless and stood with the Mayor for the silence.

The Mayor delivered a speech, with pointed looks at me and the kids when she gave the long list of countries who lost men at the first battle of the Somme alongside France (all British and Commonwealth countries); and also when she stressed the importance of educating the next generation about it.

With the fog swirling around, and the local hunters taking full and noisy advantage of a day off work to continue their ground offensive against the fluffy bunnies, it was all rather atmospheric.  

Afterwards, coffee and biscuits at the Mairie and lots of chat with the old Mayor, the lady on the Council responsible for education (for whom we are going to procure some mustard powder) and a man who really really really wanted to understand the difference between English people and Scottish people.  (Erm, the first lot are from England, the second lot from Scotland - really, is it that hard?)

Anyway, I was glad we went, and the kids were super-well behaved and somehow managed not to look bored at all.

As a reward, they had the rest of the day off.  And took full advantage by playing minecraft all day.

Meanwhile, I seem to have chosen the first properly foggy day of the year to treat all the naked wood for my new shed with anti-damp (and insect) stuff.  Sigh.  I'm about 40% through it, I think...  I'm just hoping my hurling a couple of haps in the general direction of the wood heap will protect it from the damp until I can get it all treated.

Later a crazy drive to riding to collect TallGirl - visibility was down to a few metres in places.  Even the locals were driving slowly.  The only good thing about fog at night is that at least people put their lights on.  Looks like the fog is set in for a few more days.

And there are some extra photos if you care to look.  Just more spider webs though.