Bastille Day

A year ago on this day we were in Sedan and being treated to a tornado.
This year we've had 2 days of  impressive and rather less frightening, thunder storms and about 100mm (4") of rain. (Hopefully replenishing the canal) We had decided to stay in Digoin as it is the largest town around and as such would have some sort of celebration. A firework display was due to be set off from the canal aqueduct on the evening of the 13th however the rain threatened to turn everything into damp squibs so it was called off. Weather permitting it will take place tonight. At the time of writing there are increasing blue patches in the sky so fingers crossed.

Bastille Day ceremony, Digoin

This morning we jumped on our bikes, having been stirred into action by the sounds of a brass band and pedalled off in search of the source. We eventually discovered it in the Place de la Republique (where else?)  and just in time to catch the end of the Bastille Day ceremony. It was all over fairly quickly - not quite on the scale of the Champs Elysee. Everyone seemed somewhat anxious to get away after the final salute, hauling off caps, quickly furling flags and jumping into cars - it was, after all, getting close to mid day (marked daily by a very loud hooter here).

The Pompiers (fire fighters)

 I'll add more later if I manage to get a pic of the fireworks. Not likely with my camera....and my skills.