Having failed to blog about last year's Comice, I thought I had better get down to it today, as the event has just finished, and before other things got to me. This annual highlight of the agricultural year in Anjou is the one in a series that will now go on for a few weeks. Each has its own flavour and traditions, but decorated floats are generally part of it, as are ploughing matches.
This year the theme for the whole event was land from here and elsewhere and for the procession of floats, each commune drew from a hat a French region and a foreign country and could chose which one to show on their float. And here they are - with apologies to Echimere and Montpollin, whose efforts I failed to photograph.
Boce will host next year so started the parade - here I saved everyone's sensibilities by not taking a picture which included the "chaps" on and with the float - the coconut bras were truly disturbing on too many levels. They decided to share with us La Reunion.
Next came Clefs, who chose to show us the gritty side of Nord, with their interpretation of the coal mines of the north. There were any awful lot of spectators who were kissed, fondled or otherwise groped by the miners on their way to the Comice venue, including stewards, who were covered in charcoal dust.
Cuon showed us the "national" sport of the Basque country, which I can't even begin to spell!
Then there was St Martin d'Arce who I think must have got Provence and who decided to demonstrate that with the Gendarme de St Tropez, complete with beach, 2CV and Gendarme.
Vaulandry took the theme of the Alps.
Fougere went for abroad and showed us all the best of Italy, complete with ice cream salesman, gondola and a pizza oven.
Le Guedenieu, our hosts last year, produced a fabulous float and team, complete with bull to show Spain.
Pontigne apparently drew England (so I was told) but instead went with their French region - Normandy. This lovely float including the landing beaches, Mere Poulard and a Camembert.
Chevire le Rouge - our hosts - brought up the rear with the local region of Anjou, including a fine gabare and a pretty landau for the Carnival Queens.
There was also a fine Western caravan, nice during the day, brilliant illuminated at night.
And le Vieil Bauge? Well, we had the option of Alsace or Switzerland. We ran out of inspiration thinking about Alsace, getting as far as sauerkraut, but no further, so went for Switzerland instead. See what you think!
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