The principal business of life is to enjoy it.

We saw something yesterday that we'd read about but never thought we'd ever see. Stilt walking shepherds from the marshy, desolate Landes region near Bordeaux. Although letters were still delivered by postmen on stilts until the 1930's these shepherds and their way of life have now almost disappeared. Thankfully, fifty or so families resolutely keep up the tradition. The shepherds used to spend whole days on their ten foot high stilts, using a stick as a tripod when they wanted to sleep or rest. During a week they would walk hundreds of miles perched atop their stilts , scanning the horizon for stray sheep or wolves. People who saw them in the distance used to compare them to giant spiders. Its when they move that interest in a historical oddity turns into amazement. They can walk as fast as a horse can run. A magnificent, graceful litheness - half ballet, half RoboCop .

Needless to say the formal crowning of Lady Nut was delayed. We arrived at the scheduled time of ten thirty to find that the Market Square was deserted. The reason soon became apparent. The pre-crowning aperitif in the town hall had miraculously turned into pre-crowning aperitifs. An air of unconcerned, armagnac fuelled happiness was the order of the day. The head of the cofraternity , resplendent in green silk beret and brown cloak, had to be helped into the donkey cart that took him and lady nut 2010 to the petanque court. The other members followed along behind, perched precariously,banners waving, atop a mix of pit ponies and mules.

Having bought some walnut oil, a hazelnut loaf, and a bag of roast chesnuts we headed back to the car.Wilf had viewed the days proceedings with interest, particularly the stilted shepherds. He fell asleep with a contented look on his face that told me he was dreaming about rounding up sheep - on stilts. Wilf has wisely learnt that the principal business of life is to enjoy it.