An unusual Xmas parade

Saint Jean de Losne has a strong barging fraternity : a multi-national hotch-potch of commercial and pleasure boats and their crews. Each Christmas the local French barge association renews its links with St Nicolas (the original Father Xmas) via a Church service and a torchlit parade through the town. Visiting boaters are invited to take part. This year we fell into this category from a great height!

Dressed up in lots of layers of warm clothing we dutifully reported to the parade assembly area at 430pm and were asked to don large white gowns and red pointy hats. Callum was not amused and not particularly compliant. Perhaps he had sense.

Whilst we waited we met some of the key players :
St Nicolas himself. Silent and steadfast.
Le Capitain. The caped hero.
Le Pere Fouettard. Bad Santa with a whip and a penchant for black boot polish.

Bad Santa prowled around the children looking for the naughty ones. Unfortunately the local clergy who were at the festival really are black and Callum was getting a bit confused as to who was the real bad guy.

Luckily the town band arrived, resplendent in their uniforms and lifted everyone's spirits with their upbeat marching music.

And some of St Nicolas' retinue found an alternative way to lift their spirits...

Have you got a light?

Darkness fell and we set off on the parade with flaming torches held high.
The British boating contingent led the parade, followed by the caped and capped French boaters, the marching band, St Nicolas in a horse-drawn carriage and another carriage filled to bursting with French children.
We processed merrily around the town, though nobody told us to stop when the French boaters and band peeled off into a retirement home for entertainment and refreshment. The Brits huddled together, warmed by our blazing torches and the two boys entertained us with their knowledge of Strictly Come Dancing.
Finally the parade resumed and snaked through the town, though we did retrace our steps a few times, which was unfortunate because the horses had left small piles of surprises for us to walk through.

After an hour of this excitement we crammed into a hall with the band and all the main protagonists climbed up onto the stage. The children were directed to sit down infront of the stage. We thought this was so that St Nicolas could hand out gifts. But no! If you know the League of Gentlemen then you will understand our initial reaction. Two women bustled onto the stage and proceeded to talk at length. Occasionally Pere Fouettard gave them a spanking. The children watched in stunned amazement. It was certainly different. Maybe it was the French version of the ugly sisters in a panto.

Dan and Callum's stamina was rewarded with a hot chocolate and a bag of sweets and we all ended up with an evening to remember.

Where's that naughty spark gone?