Now it may not look like there were many people there, but it was early on when I took the photo, and we did not return on the Sunday. Still, what we saw indicates that this was indeed representative. In terms of having a heaving crowd, it was a flop. The guard at the front of the stage didn’t move much all day.
But what and why? Our neighbour spotted the event an ‘anglo-info’ and it appears to be conceived by the English. They were English in the car park, English on the gate, and most groups spoke English too. We did rather enjoy the first band (of 4, pictured left) who came on. They spoke in English and French with equal felicity and appeared a little uncertain what to major in! They played some very old styles which the rather older generation audience (mostly pensioners, all-be-it some in hippy style) seamed to enjoy.
So we went for a stroll into Verteuil which is as pleasant a small village as you may find in France. The river is beautiful and backdropped by a splendid château; which reminds me, that was a main reason for going.
The concert was in the château grounds and we hoped to see more of the place. It being privately owned, only some views from afar have hither-to been possible (picture right). But the grounds were roped off a long way from the building which, being obscured by mature trees, was less visible from the gardens than from the village.
After the break, some less inspiring acts, such as the French ‘crooner’ who was very melancholy, so that we gave up at about 10pm.
But resolved to return the next day for the village pub event which was free and quite entertaining as it happened. Those we met (English) from the event in the château indicated the same experience we had had the day before.
The highlights? Well the opera on day 2 (free pub act, picture above), and the ‘dry toilets’ (picture left) used at the ‘event’ that used sawdust (picture right) to cover your unmentionables.
It works, honest, it was quite pong-free!
