Visitors, Fetes and Big, Big Snakes

The end of November brought our first visitors to Montréal; Ann and David, Lucy's Mum and Dad, drove over to spend a couple of weeks in the Artic wasteland that is the Aude valley. Seriously, in a house with no central heating (or even insulation it feels like) it is v. cold out here. They can be seen here on a lovely visit to Toulouse, standing next to another of the omnipresent merry-go-rounds.


Merry-go-round in Toulouse


...and again

We've also experienced a handful of fêtes in the village recently. November hosted the Marché Gourmand and December the Marché de Noel, in which Cassi's school had a stall, providing Lucy with the opportunity to volunteer her services like all conscientious parents who can speak French should.

Both of these were held at the Salle Polyvalente (Sports Hall) which is just down the road from us. And interesting events they were too. They run all day and offer an eclectic jumble of stall holders and entertainment. For instance, at the Gourmet food market - which was the better of the two, alongside the expected Caves and sellers of fine fromage, the local hunt (Chasse) had a stall (with accompanying stuffed dead animals). There was also a brass band, the Montréal majorettes, helium balloons at only 9€ (what?!!! Why did I promise Cass a Dora balloon?) not to mention large pans of a snail (l'escargot) dish (looking too much like witches cauldrons the way the shells and their contents were bobbling around) and general 'tat' (to be kind).


Marché Gourmand

While I was in the UK, posters went up around the village advertising a reptile show, so Lucy dragged Cassi down to the Salle de Fêtes (or was that the other way round?) for a show that sounds like it was a real highlight, and one that I missed out on.

Lucy's note: This was really a sight to behold and I am sure that this kind of thing would never be allowed in England! The first worrying sign was that after a recount I could only see 9 fingers on the hands of the guy handling the animals. Hmm- I would love to hear the story behind that one. He then introduced us to a range of beasties- a scorpion, a big whoppa spider (in Cassi's words) and snakes ranging from little king snakes, to boas, pythons and even a viper, which he demonstrated injecting its venom onto a sheet of paper.

All was presented to an appreciative audience sat in a horseshoe around a trestle table, on which various creatures were left while the guy went off to get the next delight. The highlight was a crocodile whose party trick was to relieve himself down the man's trousers. Still at least no more fingers were lost! I have to admit that I had to put a brave face on for Cassi's benefit, but it was certainly an entertaining evening and Cassi still recalls the time we went to see the snakes and ladders!


Big, big snake


Reptile Show