Tuesday 7th August Port sur Soane

We were feeling pretty pleased with ourselves. The arrangements were all in place for dan and carla. The boat was watered full of fuel, oil changed and it was a stunning day for the crew to finish her washing.

I walked to the boulangerie and picked up a paris brest cake for the crew to have after her washing chores were completed. On my return we breakfasted on crepes eggs cheese and ham for me while the crew had an omelette.

Washing completed and the cake devoured, our peace was disturbed by the capitinnaire, can you move please, a big barge is coming in and this is the only place I have to put him. Having been given such a good price for my stay, I felt obliged to say yes. This hacked me off though as I was in the perfect spot for tonight's opening ceremony of the international festival of music and dance.

We chivvied to get sorted and move and I looked up to view the barge. It was a very fancy affair and no surprise a huge Dutch flag flew from the stern. My mood was not improved although the occupants were waving there apologies and clearly a tad embarrassed.

We settled into a very nice alternative berth and had quiche and salad for lunch with some Prosecco. The afternoon was spent lazily doing the odd chore when I managed to slice half my little toe off on one of the rear window edges. It was bloody and still stings now! I thought it warranted a helicopter but Collette felt a plaster would suffice. She Is so hard!

The opening ceremony parade started at 7 from the town and made its way down the quay to the stage opposite the boat for 8pm. We watched as the townsfolk started filling the small stand at 6.30 thinking lunatics. The countries drifted down at their own pace.

To be truthful, not much of a parade really. The costumes were great. Represented countries were France Guadeloupe, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Italy, Taiwan, morocco, Algeria, Argentina and Peurto Rico. The square was now packed and it was 10 deep all round the stage so tricky to see much. The French band played and I put the cob on and whilst speeches were made we prepared our slab of dinosaur, Collette made cheesy mash and I sliced the courgettes. Meat and courgettes on the cob, mash in the oven and off we went. Each country was performing a couple of songs and dances with their own individual bands on stage as an introduction.

We got there as the Ukrainians took the floor. They were quite magnificent and the whole place erupted when we had a Cossack version of Mary Hopkins "those were the days my friend". I must also advise that the ukranian female dancers and singers were all very pleasing on the eye of this lecherous old skipper. The Taiwanese followed and it was Siam cuteness gone wild, a king and I tearjerker. Great stuff and the quality of the performances took us completely by surprise. Lovely night.

We slipped back to enjoy our meal and sat on the poop listening to and watching the event unfold. At 11 I noticed a huge crowd building on the bridge leading from the stage area over the canal to the marina. We were about ready to go back over but as we stepped out we were thrilled by the sight of at least 150 Chinese lanterns drifting into the nightsky. Suddenly all the lights from the festival went off and we were treated to a 30 minute display which the crew and I agreed was the best firework display we had ever seen. It just went on and on and we were certain it was climaxing on several occasions only for another wave of rockets erupting into the sky and at the end of the arc an earth shuddering bang and a cascade of showering glitter in a scream of colour. Seen plenty of fireworks but this really was something most unexpectedly special!

With the end of the display, the masses drifted back down the quay towards town and over the bridge toward the huge campsite bordering the football pitch where the display had been set. Suddenly lots of people were out walking dogs. I suspected for many it was too late. Even the ducks had scurried under our pontoon for protection at the height of the barrage. The stage area was still buzzing however and we sat and had coffee through midnight. The music went on into the early hours. We didn't!

 

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