Fête du Travail

Today is labour day in France: the only public holiday by statute.  Ange and I ended up working pretty hard in the garden, it was getting away from us what with all the spring growth while we had been away. By 5pm I was really tempted to jump in the pool. It has been a scorching hot day but the pool was still a bit chilly at 13 degrees. This didn't deter Jack or at least once he donned his wetsuit. There is an interesting tradition on May Day: one which I only just learnt of.  Anyway, that is all for today, I now have disappear off into the bush to find some lilies.

On May 1st, 1561, French King Charles IX of France received a lily of the valley as a lucky charm. He decided to offer a lily each year to the ladies of the court. At the beginning of the 20th century, it became custom on the 1st of May, to give a sprig of lily of the valley, a symbol of springtime. It is also traditional for the lady receiving the spray of Lily of valley to give a kiss in return.