Is Pointless

We might as well get going, says Arthur.

Let's go then, says François-René.

Have you got a spare bicycle? asks Arthur.

Spare? I don't even have one, says François-René.

So we're walking, says Arthur. That's good, in a way.

Yes, it is pleasanter, says François-René. The Grand Randonnée 34 is best enjoyed at a slow pace.

I meant, says Arthur, it's good that we won't catch up with the others.

I thought that too, says François-René. Those infants can be tiresome.

Gaius can be tiresome, says Arthur. That reminds me, have you got a knife?

François-René never goes anywhere without his steak knife.

They set off for the Grand Randonée.

.......

Belle and Gaius are cycling along the old customs path that is known as the Grand Randonée 34.

Terence and Baldy are in the bicycle baskets.

Saints Malo and Roley are jolting along in a shoe, in Gaius's back pack.

Brittany's coastline is spectacular. High cliffs, rocky points, wild coasts, low headlands, marshes, dunes, ruins of coastal chapels and abbeys, old customs shelters.

Belle wants to keep stopping.

O look!

.......

A long way behind them Arthur and François-René are just starting.

Memories, murmurs François-René.

He sniffs the scent of yellow gorse and purple heather

Was this where ....? asks Arthur.

Yes, says François-Rene. As a solitary young man, and sometimes with my sister Lucile....

Did you bring any snacks? asks Arthur.

She did, says Francois-René. O how I loved my sister.

I meant now, says Arthur.

No, says François-René.

......

Gaius and Belle have stopped and made their way down to a flat stretch of sand, between pink granite rocks.

It's snack time.

I'm looking forward to trying those eels, says Gaius.

Belle opens the jar, spears an eel chunk with the melon knife, and hands it to Gaius.

Delicious, says Gaius. Could be improved with some vinegar.

What can WE have? asks Terence.

I don't think Gaius brought anything for you guys, says Belle. But I might have a couple of Babybel cheeses in a paper bag somewhere.

Yay! says Terence. Our babies can practice.

Gaius gets the shoe out and sets it on the sand.

The baby oystercatchers sniff the fresh breeze and the scent of yellow gorse, and are energised.

Saint Roley leaps out of the shoe, followed by Saint Malo.

Dig, says Baldy.

Dig, says Terence. See who digs the deepest.

The baby saints dig, flicking the sand up.

Watch out, says Gaius. You're flicking sand on my eel.

Have another one, says Belle. O well done Saint Malo! You've made such a great hole there.

It's too deep, says Gaius. Don't give praise where praise is not due.

It's a good first effort, says Belle. Now what?

Saint Roley stops digging.

It occurs to him that the exercise is pointless.