The weekend of the 18/19 August saw record temperatures for heat in the Baugeois and also the 2012 edition of the Comice, held at Fougere with a theme of gardens. Due to the heat, we didn't spend much time there on the Saturday, so can't report on the Inter-village games, but we did go along to see the traditional procession of decorated floats. Fougere presented five floats and numerous decorated carts, all other communes apart from Chartrene presented a float each.
The 2013 Comice will be hosted by Bauge, so they had the honour of opening the procession.
The 2011 Comice was hosted by Vaulandry, so they came next.
I can't remember the order after that, apart from the fact that the main Fougere float went last, so will do the rest in alphabetical order! Boce!
Chevire le Rouge had the one float, but it was a "wagon and drag" affair, with the usual Chevire musical accompaniment on the second trailer.
Next up was Clefs with a magnificent display of garden produce.
Cuon produced a magnificent float once again - how do they do it?
Echimire went for an English Country Garden - any one for tea?
Le Guedeniau had the furthest to come so have to be forgiven if some of their natural folliage looks a bit faded.
Le Vieil Bauge chose the Garden of Eden, however Adam and Eve could not resist the apples on the tree, so weren't allowed on the float. Will they never learn?
Monpollin had a secret stock of water on their float and weren't afraid to use it!
Pontigne chose an Alice in Wonderland theme, hence all the playing cards. They were followed by a bunch of people on stilts.
St Martin d'Arce had a load of produce and a load of critters.
St Quentin le Beaurepaire had a change of tractor driver this year (where is your MEP when you need him?).
This year's Miss Comice were in a donkey cart.
And last come the Fougere Five. It looked to us as though there were a mix of districts, societies and the village itself behind the floats, and well done Fougere, as it is a lot smaller than Vieil Bauge in population.
Well done to all concerned. I wonder what the theme will be next year?