Saturday, June 11, 2022 - A local fest at Le Bono

 We've seen signs advertising a fest at the port in Le Bono on June 11. Dave, of course, wants to go. Hopefully this fest is better than the last we investigated. The fest website shows the fest starting at 5 with the arrival of a regatta, followed by food, drink, and music. 

map - home to Le Bono's port

We left shortly before 5 and wandered several streets with steep hills before finding a parking lot at the center of town with an available handicapped place. The slope down to the port was far more gentle and there were clear signs of a fest beginning as we reached the port. There was no entrance fee. Drink and a food stall (sausage with frites) were set up as was a stage on a truck. 

Port Le Bono with fest in background

The setting was fantastic (for us at least). Boats moored in port, beautiful evening sun, perfect temperature, and a light breeze. We wandered along the quay which widened at the breakwater. Tables were set up and there were quite a few people sitting along the quay. 

An old footbridge crosses over the river where the Bono River joins the Auray River

panorama of the port and Auray River

tables with white covers were laid with canapes and crunchy snacks, all complements of the city of LeBono - as were the beer and sparkling white wine (crémant)

I assumed they were waiting for the regatta to finish which I had read would happen at 5 pm. But after 20 minutes (while Dave took photos from the old bridge), there was still no action, so I asked a couple sitting on the quay to explain what was happening. 

Dave's photos from the pedestrian bridge

Panorama of the port from the pedestrian bridge

The celebration of the regatta was to take place here. 

We were right, a regatta of 30 sailboats had sailed from Vannes and should finish here, after which time there will be a fest with free wine or beer and hors d'oeuvres on tables covered with white "dresses".  After a few minutes more, the news came (via the same couple) that the regatta had arrived, but was moored outside the port area because of the receding tide. It was time to get wine or beer and appetizers. 

waiting for the regatta to come in

We talked to the couple who had explained why we were waiting as they now stood around the same table as us. I asked where they were from. They live now in Auray, just a few miles away but are originally from the suburbs of Paris. They retired to Auray and have been there for 10 years now. What a perfect spot to retire to. They told us the weather is mild in winter with only a few days of frost, so that the climate is perfect all year long. They have no regrets about retiring here. People here, they said, are very welcoming of strangers moving in. We tried several different amuse-bouche (canapes) and then headed back to the main fest area where a band was playing covers of American 60s rock. 

These guys played 60s rock and some blues

The little kids were dancing up a storm when they weren't running under the stage.

We found a place to park ourselves to the side of the band and found our new "friends" at the end of the same table separated by two other couples who were likewise very friendly. The men even helped David get beers for us. The beer came in a reusable plastic glass for which Dave was charged 1 Euro each (refundable when turned back in). Cover band finished, the Le Bono Irish Club (not sure what their real name was) showcased two young girls playing the Irish whistle (like a recorder). When the music changed we left, but there was to be a band at 8:00. 

This girl is 6 years old and played for several minutes. 

This fest looked and felt like Baga Fest in Cumberland. Tons of little kids running around and dancing in front of the stage. Families eating sausages and frites. Tables of people eating and drinking and enjoying the evening. Only the setting was different. A true small town fest. Very fun.

Now you might be wondering what we did with the rest of the day. Well, Katie and Randy arrive late (10 PM) tomorrow night in Nantes. So with 4 days menus planned and a grocery list, we went to Vannes in the morning to get fresh fruits and vegetables, sausages, and cheeses. 

The mound of cherries has gotten larger this week. It's cherry season.

We're getting good at this market thing. In fact, I had a conversation with the produce man today. He asked if we were local. I said No, from the States. He was flabbergasted and wanted to know why we were here and how long and why I spoke French better than he did (flatterer). It's exchanges like these with the people we meet that make France trips extra special for me, even though my French is pretty bad in grammar and vocabulary these days since I never speak it in the states. But I'm not afraid to try. That counts for something.

We came home to put all that away, eat lunch, and do a few cleaning chores. We then went out to the grocery store for the rest of what we needed. The grocery store took 2 hours and the market only one. 

So nothing remarkable about the day until tonight's fest. Still basking in the warmth of that experience.