Caption: Media circus?
THERE has been a short intermission to this service of news and opinion features relating to the rural and community life of Jersey. As they used to say on the television (and maybe still do – I haven’t really watched it since our own set was hijacked by our nine-year-old son – ‘normal service will be resumed as soon as possible’.
Well, the intermission is now over. And (as they never said on the television) not too sorry for the intermission, either – it’s been great fun. Easter and Easter holidays, trips to France and most lately, Liberation Day are my excuse.
I feel spoilt in having enjoyed two separate recent trips to France – the first to the Calvados region, the second to Cognac. Our stocks of the eponymous spirits of both regions are accordingly replenished.
In Calvados it was a treat to see the preparations for the forthcoming World Equestrian Games due to take place later this summer. Even a first introduction to ‘vaulting’ with the horses and members of the French national team, at Haras du Pin, the magnificent 18th Century stud farm near Argentan. With considerable trepidation I raised myself to a kneeling position on the saddle as my horse sedately walked round in a circle at the end of a lunge rein – and proudly kept in that position for quite a few seconds. The members of the French team, of course, were doing handstands and other bravura gymnastic movements at the canter. For me, I do not think I will run away from ‘RURAL’ to join a circus – just yet.
Our second trip was to Cognac, en famille: ‘something for everyone’ as event organisers say: for my son, ruined castles; for my wife, shopping expeditions; for me, the local produce and the joy of visiting small, independent distilleries and sampling their produce.
Now back in Jersey, and due to stay in the Island for a while. Last week was the boat show, tonight starts the marvellous Liberation Music Festival with a performance of Bach’s Mass in C Minor, which I am looking forward to as well as the other concerts this weekend. A summer of enjoyable events beckons during a Jersey summer… just hope the rain remembers where and when it is supposed to fall.
