Saturday November the 5th was a traditional guy Fawkes night at La Giraudiere celebrated not just by the Brits (Paul in particular) but also the French locals and a visitor from Australia. Probably the first time a Guy Fawkes night held in Brossac and for sure the first time that our French friends have celebrated a Guy Fawkes night and also the same for our Australian guest Alex a member of our May/June volunteers group.

The rain scared off some of those invited especially those use to a more mederate climate but this did not dampen the spirits of those who made the effort and turned Brossac’s first Guy Fawkes night into a roar………ing success.

In attendance was Pierre, one of La Giraudiere neighbours, from Brossac and his girl friend (or Copaine), John Mitchelle and Endearer both of whom are known to all the volunteers, Lucy and Arnaud also arrived and Lucy had spent the afternoon making a grand gateaux chocolate for the evening. Alex also baked two Banana Cakes again greatly received and consumed by the  rest of the party goers. Alex and Nico also brought wine for the party as so the other revelers did in all 10 bottles consumed plus the gateaux and plus all the snacks intended to feed 20. It was great to see Sarah at La Giraudiere probably the first time since Curtiss left for the States. Sarah arrived with her father Jean Luke but unfortanatley Jean Luke could not stay for the entire evening. (The photo above is not snow raining down but ashes and rain )

The bonfire had been put in place over the 6 months program of volunteers at La Giraudiere and it had been dangerous to set a light up until this point. Permission had to be asked of the Mayor of Brossac and it was actually granted on the 4th so very very close.

Pierre who is a retired French History teacher had spent time researching the story of Guy Fawkes and now appreciated the festivity’s of celebrating an English revolutionary. The rain was totally ignored as the group consumed bottles of French Bordeaux Red around an internationally built Bonfire at an Englishman’s residence in France. I think November the 5th will be celebrated every year now in Brossac.