le cirque sur l'eau

After a little website work (adding Spanish translations I was sent by email), I waited until all 3 cats were in, then locked all exits. They all had to go to the vet this morning for their pre-travel health check. They didn't like being shut in, or Alice and M catching them to put them in the carriers, and I'm a bit worried it might put them off coming in on Tuesday morning. That would create a problem! We'll maybe have to lock them in the night before, and perhaps put up with a disturbed night.

We duly took them all and arrived at opening time. We waited 20 minutes or so, then the good vet called us in. I gave him the 3 pet passports and asked for their pre-travel check. He looked at the passports, and said he had already done it and signed all 3. Yes but that was 3 weeks ago (signed for tomorrow) and you only saw 2 of them. But I know the cats, he replied! The worming tablets? Yes you can ask the receptionist. So none of the cats needed to go, although at least we feel we've done things properly! It only cost us 17 euros - I'm sure it would have been a great deal more in Guernsey.

We walked up to La Poste to post a letter, and take the lovely post lady a box of Guernsey fudge. She was very touched and came around the counter to "faire les bises". Her brother worked as a chef in Jersey for several years. It was all quite emotional as she wished us well.

After more sorting and packing, we went back into Paimpol this afternoon to find a French freesat receiver to be set up when we get home. It's one way of keeping the language going.

This evening, we went to le Cirque sur l'eau. I've resisted all the weekly travelling circuses so far, but this one looked a bit different. We had front-row ring-side seats, but I did feel uncomfortable during the first half with the 2 magnificent camels and zebra, but Alice enjoyed a pony ride! There were a couple of seals too, and several ferrets. Not a drop of water to be seen!

During the interval, they set up the water. The whole show was a very slick and professional performance. There were only human performers for the second spectacular half. A clown walked around squirting people with a large water gun. I hid under my coat (necessary for the earlier rain) so I missed M's face-full of water! The clown later got a hose out. All good fun, but I'm glad I didn't get wet.

There was traffic chaos afterwards, with our lot of packed audience all trying to leave, and the next lot arriving. There was no car park, so everyone had parked along the roads, cars were trying to get through both ways with several hundred people all in the road. We were parked just opposite the entrance - handy, but there was no way we were going anywhere for some time!

We finished the evening at McDo's. I've never seen it so busy! And so much more efficient!

Oh dear - it's the party tomorrow! Aaarrgghhh!