Fireworks

Bordeaux is hosting an international fireworks symposium this week.

This meant that on Monday evening there was the most colossal fireworks show you ever saw down at Quinconces.

We had some friends visiting from Wales and Catrin was at the University till almost 8, so we high tailed it into town on the tram aiming to synchronise our passage through Montaigne-Montesquieu.

Hah!

We bargained without the DROVES of students who were all catching the tram at about 8.

Because we got on at Alouette we were comfortably seated deep in the heart of the carriage, but nearer the doors the students were snugger than sardines when there's a glut of fish and a shortage of tin. They have increased the frequency of trams between the campus and the city centre, but I am reliably assured that the evening trams are always stuffed like mama's cannelloni.

So our dreams of synchronisation vanished like bubbles in a greasy bowl of washing-up. Catrin caught a later tram. And ended up by the door. And travelled just a few stops before deciding that enough was enough and taking the gentle, empty, spacious and airy tram for home.

We, meanwhile, headed for the Regent Bistro at Gambetta - one of a chain of restaurants that is a kind of hybrid between fast-food and fine dining. There is a set price of 13€ which gets you huge bowls of chipped potatoes and of salad and a choice of grilled salmon, steak or duck breast. You can choose tartare of beef (raw mince) but I won't. The grills come with a special buttery sauce. There's a reasonably priced house wine which is good and there are desserts and starters, though after the main course you probably won't want that. It's a nice experience.

Then off for the fireworks. We caught some moments of it from beyond the statue at Quinconces and the photos are shown below. After our tram fun we decided to take the bus back!