Monday, July 5, 2021

Tignes: Le Lac Long Lunch

Belle has prepared a picnic for teams Condor and Philosophe.

The two bishops are invited. So is Marcel, if he comes as a clown.

Belle spreads out a red and white cloth on the grass at the edge of Lac de Tignes.

What's for me? asks Terence.

Ribena, says Belle. See if you can poke the straw in by yourself.

Okay, says Terence. He tries.

Team Condor turns up, with Marcel.

Yum! says Sweezus. Raclette! How did you keep the cheese warm?

Aluminium foil, says Belle. And a tea towel. Eat up, before it goes solid.

Sweezus, Arthur and Pablo sit down and start chewing.

Marcel looks in suspicion at the cheese.

Vello, David and Gaius have been strolling along the banks of Le Lac, admiring its blueness.

Have you opened the wine, dear? calls Vello.

Yes, papa, says Belle.  Do come. There's a lovely Chignin, and a superb Mondeuse.

She pours out the glasses.

There's also tartiflette and diots, says Belle, followed by tarte aux myrtilles.

The saints appear, walking close together.

Are we late? asks Saint Arnoc.

Not at all, says Vello. Sit down and have a diot. And a glass of red wine. This Mondeuse is worth trying.

It has bluish tones, says Marcel.

Let's see, says Sweezus. Yeah, it does.

Yuck, says Terence.

Now, says Vello, let's clear up a few things.

Yes, says Belle. Can we clear up that there will be no more cheating?

No more cheating, says Gaius. A good resolution.

He takes a slice of tartiflette. Mmm. And a glass of Chignin.

Not about that, says Vello. Although of course I'm against Team Condor cheating.

Sweezus and Arthur and Pablo ignore him.

No, says Vello, it's about....

Saint Roley! says Terence. They won't say where he is.

You know where he is, says Gaius. We left him on Kangaroo Island.

Kangaroo Island! Is there work there for a bishop? asks Saint Ténénan. Assuming he IS a bishop.

He is not a bishop, says Gaius.

He's a parrot, says Terence.

He's an oystercatcher, says Gaius. Originally from Brittany. We met him years ago, when we stayed there. I wonder if either of you have heard of Saint Méen?

Saint Méen is my father! cry Saint Arnoc and Saint Ténénan.

Ho! That clears up the question! says Vello.

Yeah, what was the question? asks Sweezus.

Vello explains that this proves the saints are the same person.

The picnic continues until the last crumb of the tarte aux myrtilles is demolished.

And all of the wine.

Everyone but Marcel, who is finnicky, agrees it was an excellent picnic.


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