Forum des Assos

We had a family outing this morning to the Forum des Assos (short for Associations – the French love their abbreviations) in Boussac. It was held in an impressively large marquee that had been erected in the town square, thus also taking up most of the car parking space for visitors! We’re not averse to using our legs so we left the car in the vieux quartier (old quarter) and walked in. Generally, French people don’t go out until after a nourishing and sustaining lunch, but the forum was a morning-only event so they were forced to come out after only a nourishing and sustaining breakfast. And they looked surprisingly lively!

Imagine this obliterated by a big white tent.

The marquee was heaving when we arrived, about a quarter past ten. I had no idea so much went on in and around our little town. We’ve been somewhat reclusive of late and so are a bit out of touch. There are all sorts of activities, from the AIPB (Amitiés Internationales de Pays du Boussac) to Zumba, with things like cycling, patchwork, table tennis, judo, dog agility and walking in between. We’ve all gone for something – Tai Chi for Chris, judo for the boys, zumba for me (I checked and I’m not too old!!), and even something for our puppy Tobi, namely the dog agility. She’s not quite old enough for it yet and before she starts we need to properly master sit, down, stay and come – their French equivalents being assis, couché, pas bouger and le rappel (with ‘venez’ I assume). I’d been going to stick to English, but I’m sure it’s the case with dogs that they respond better to two-syllable names, so presumably also two-syllable commands. Something to think about.

Tobi is certainly agile when play fighting with Nessie!

We felt very motivated, and even more so after having coffee at the café des sports (suitably enough) afterwards. We realised that it’s the first time we’ve had a family get t0gether at a café in Boussac since we bought Les Fragnes eight years ago.

We need to get out more!