Tanks

There were tanks driving up the Promenade des Anglais this morning as we were sitting minding our own business reading the newspaper in the sunshine, with coffee and croissant, as one does.

Anyone have any idea why? They seem to have gathered in Place Massena, with jeeps and Red Cross vans and all sorts, and all covered in American flags.

If no one else can suggest a sensible alternative, I'm going with the little boy who turned round in the tram, his eyes wide, and said "Mummy, are we at war?" The answer is clearly yes, we are at war with 1940s America. Unless today's some anniversary I don't know about, which is entirely possible.

I shall try and get photos for you all on my way back from the library. Assuming the air raids don't start up between now and then, obviously.

We're going to the fireworks tonight - they were postponed from the Fete de l'Assomption on 15 August, because of bad weather and stormy seas. (It was a bit windy, admittedly.)

For those of you wondering, because I certainly was (obviously, I expect you to already know this Fran...) the Fete de l'Assomption apparently celebrates Mary's ascent to Heaven without having to go through that messy dying phase. A gift to her, given the inconvenience of having to bear God's child without really being given any say in the matter. Though I suspect that latter part isn't strictly part of the Catholic teachings on the matter...

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Virgin Mary arrives in Nice

It's been like Christmas chez nous this morning. I had not one, but two packages to collect this morning - from two different post offices, of course. And as I was coming back from that, the postman came down our stairs and asked if I knew who Hill was - when I indicated I did, he gave me two more packages!

So, Paul has two mysterious packages sitting next to me on the sofa and the prize for Most Difficult Package in the World to Open goes to the one from my parents (Thank you Mum and Dad! It arrived safely!) - I weep for the bubble wrap trees slaughtered to ensure its safe arrival across the miles of wildest countryside between here and there.

The prize for Tackiest Religious Souvenir ever goes to Fran's present to us. The Mother of God, the Virgin Mary, accompanied by Saint Bernadette, lovingly cast in glittery plaster of paris. Fantastic. It's decorating our telly table, now and for ever more. (Unfortunately, Glitter Mary broke off her plaster of paris grotto base in transit - I'll superglue her back together, it won't detract at all from the effect. Also, we now have Holy Glitter everywhere.) And, almost as excitingly, accompanying the Virgin Mary on her long journey, I also have a copy of the Guardian Weekend magazine, with a promise of more. Thank you Fran!!

Mary and Bernadette, in full glittery glory:



In their new home, next to the telly:



Darkened, to highlight the glitter:

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