"Do as I say, not as I do!" - Jacques Chirac

Today is a public holiday. It's the Day of Assumption. According to Roman Catholic theology and the traditions of the Roman Catholic Church and Eastern and Oriental Orthodox churches, the body and soul of Mary, the mother of Jesus, venerated by these denominations as the Blessed Virgin Mary or Theotokos, respectively, was taken into Heaven after the end of her earthly life. (OK, thanks for the links, you've made your point - Ed.) You can therefore understand that Muslims (or any other religion come to that) might be a little confused by a state law that forbids any display of religious belief in school children, like wearing a head scarf, giving as it's reason that it is a 'secular state', whilst at the same time celebrating nationally a very Christian event. An event that was probably conceived by some Catholic religious fanatic, some time in the middle ages! Ah well, at least we get a holiday out of it all.

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This reminds me of my time at school, at a Catholic college run by Jesuit priests. As young men, with enquiring minds, we were always searching for the truth. I remember during one physics lesson, discussing the speed of light or some such, being taught by the same priest who taught us theology. One boy put up his hand to ask a question.

"Yes Fozard, what do you want?" enquired the priest.
"Please sir, can you tell me at what speed Our Lady ascended into heaven?"

If I remember correctly even the priest burst out laughing.

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We've got figs! Just next to the pool is the most enormous fig tree, that Jan and I spent a week trying to rescue when we first got here. It was covered in brambles, and a weed which Jan called 'old man's beard'. We both love figs and this year's fruit is now ready. A week ago the fruit blooked very green and very hard but it has ripened quickly. By the end of August or thereabouts we will be heartily sick of them and Jan will then make the most delicious fig jam. Great on its own, or superb with foie gras.

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It's the last night of the fête in Quissac tonight and the bull running takes place at about 9.00 pm so Katie and family (and their visitors) invite us to go. Add to that, the fact that Kevin fancies eating out and I've been thinking of visiting a certain pizza restaurant, that comes recommended, so we book a table for 13. I'd need to go back but the general opinion was that it was mediocre.

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Jan has done it again. We both fancy a break, so tomorrow we are going for three days to the Hostellerie Berard. Using her uncanny skills at finding low cost, high quality accommodation on the internet, she came up with various options, but what swung this place for me, was the two hour drive to an area that comes highly recommended and one that we don't know. Additionally the hotel has a high quality restaurant and a pool. Yum. More on all this later.