Monday, September 27, 2010

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.

20 comments:

  1. We have stilt-walking marsh people go by our house every day. I'm surprised you hadn't seen them before :)

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  2. Fascinating about the stilt walking shepherds. As for the couple in the donkey cart, I confess that when I first glanced at the picture I thought they were wearing cabbage leaves on their heads. Well, by the standards of your blog, that would not have been so remarkable..
    Cheers, Gail.

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  3. I thought when I arrived at your blog this morning I was going to get a grin at the 'Nut festival' and instead I am captivated by the Shepherds on stilts--Truly amazing! I applaud the families for keeping that tradition and history alive today!

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  4. So thankful for people who continue to keep tradition alive, thanks for sharing this with us today.

    Woofs and Licks,
    Maggie Mae

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  5. I never knew this about the shepherds on stilts. How interesting. Now I know why I blog.

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  6. Those stilt shepherds must be really agile! I love learning about things like that.

    How did I know that somehow the Lady Nut crowning would be delayed? *snicker* I was going to ask if they wore acorn hats, but it appears not!

    Wilf, I wish I always had your wisdom!

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  7. Shepherds on stilts? That is so fascinating!

    Wilf is such a wise dog. Please keep sharing his insights with us! I'm laughing, visualizing a dog on stilts. K in her cast sounds like she has one big stilt that bumps loudly with each footfall.

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  8. This is so interesting - and it makes total sense to wear the stilts - I wish I had a pair to wear in the kitchen so I could reach the top shelves!! But I fear I am a bit too old to start the training.

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  9. Goodness. I've never heard of this. Are you quite sure you're not having us on???

    And as for the formal festivity, I did so hate to relinquish my crown.

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  10. did the stile people just randomly show up or were they there for the nut-queen crowning? what a wonderful place you've found!

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  11. angus
    I love these snippets of country life... please more of them!!

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  12. Absolutely concur with that ... to learn to enjoy life is so important.

    Those shepherds are amazing.

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  13. That was a really interesting story about the stilt walking shepards. I wondered how they got up there and if the sticks hurt their feet after awhile. Oh, and if it was difficult to balance.

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  14. I'd never heard of shepherds on stilts, thanks for the history. Wilf knows what he wants in life and gets it.

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  15. Shepherds on stilts. I'd thought I'd heard it all. Now I understand why blogging is like panning for gold.Priceless.

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  16. Angus although we're in Hawaii we love the fact that you blog every day. We've been reading your blog for two years now. We've lived through your near murder in Italy, your trip to the war cemeterey last October, Digby's slow passing on, Wilf in all his wisdom, and now this. We agree with Christine - these are reasons to blog.

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  17. Missing our daily trips to France. Hope all is well...

    Jane and Petey

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  18. Lovely post! Thanks for sharing and yes, blogging is the best!

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  19. i had not ever heard of the shepherds on stilts! that is amazing. my dad grew up around bordeaux, so i will have to ask him about those shepherds.
    i am a bit late to the party, but i noticed you've been away for a little while. hope everything is alright in the south of france and that you are enjoying a relaxing break!

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