Quiet days on the blog

 don't necessarily mean quiet days in Bordeaux. Here's some updates :

1) Our new apartment

We get the keys in just over a week. The kitchen will be delivered the following week. Then there's a short hiatus before th kitchen fitter come at the beginning of August. We hope to move in the middle of August.

2) The earthquake

Bordeaux was shaken by an earthquake whose epicentre was in the Charente Maritime. Some buildings up there have structural damage so a number of folk are homeless and some cannot work. Here in Bordeaux some people felt the tremors. We didn't.

3) The amphitheatre

Just opposite where the church meets is a ruined amphitheatre and on Sunday they held an open day with gladiatorial combats and various exhibits. It was very well attended. I got some photos of the amphitheatre from different angles than usual, but I missed the combat.

4) Bordeaux is in summer festival mood

Wednesday is the annual "Fête de la Musique", when the streets fill with groups and bands. This is always better when it falls on the weekend, but hey.

This weekend is the annual "Fête du Vin", when producers from the various different parts of the Bordeaux vineyards come to hold samplings on the quays of Bordeaux. You buy a ticket and you get a glass, a nice bag to Corry it in, and a ticket entitling you to a number of different samples. It's all very jolly but it does take over the quays!

Then in early July the Tour de France comes to the city! This is very big news. The finishing line was painted on the quays some months ago just to be extra-ready, and the city will buzz with bicycles.


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