Rest Day: Orléans - Dangerous

A rest day, in Orléans. 

Team Philosophe and Team Condor meet in the Parc Floral de la Source.

Belle has organised a picnic.

She spreads a picnic blanket down on the grass and opens a hamper.

I wonder what delights you have provided, my dear, says Vello.

It's a bit dessert heavy, says Belle. I had to cut short my shopping.

Dessert heavy? says Sweezus. Short on savouries?

Andouillettes, says Belle, and cheese, but the rest is all sweet stuff.

Sounds good to me, says Arthur. What's the sweet stuff?

A beautiful almond cake, says Belle, and a tarte tatin, and some Sologne honey, and Cotingnac d'Orléans quince jelly.

Bread? asks Sweezus.

Lots of baguettes, says Belle. Why don't you start with a sausage?

Are andouillettes the ones made of pigs' intestines and stomachs? asks Sweezus.

Yes they are, says Belle. Have a glass of champagne first.

At last the picnic gets going. After one or two glasses of champagne andouillettes seem less disgusting.

Can Sweetpea and me go to the adventure playground? asks Terence.

No, says Gaius. Stay with us. What happened yesterday to your frog team? I've heard nothing.

We think Nicolo killed them, says Terence.

That sounds bad, says Sweezus. 

Where is Nicolo? asks Belle. He's supposed to be coming.

Shall we start on the tarte tatin? asks Vello. Anyone brought a knife?

I have, says Arthur, producing a knife.

Is it clean? asks Belle.

Reasonably, says Arthur

Nicolo arrives.

Sorry I'm late, says Nicolo. I had something to deal with.

Have a glass of champagne! says Vello. And some of this fine Cotignac d'Orléans jelly on a chunk of baguette.

Thank you, says Nicolo.

How are you finding the Tour? asks Vello.

Yesterday was difficult, says Nicolo. That gravel was artificial and not properly pressed down.

Yeah, says Sweezus. Dangerous. 

Dangerous, says Terence. Like YOU, Nicolo!

Yes dangerous like YOU! says Sweetpea. Why have you got a gardening trowel in your pocket?

To bury dead frogs! says Terence.

Not at all, says Nicolo. I thought being here in the Parc Floral I might dig up a seedling.

Ha ha! laughs David, who has had more champagne than anyone. 

But he is right to laugh. Why would Nicolo want to dig up a seedling?