|
Watched the Tour de France go through Otley today. Merveilleux.
I was right outside my front door and next to a family with a couple of small children.
Before the race, le caravane goes through, throwing treats and favours into the crowds.
I imagine that in some places it goes through at almost walking pace, but in Otley it went through at (a guess) about 50mph - well above the usual speed limit, but of course the roads are completely closed. Some vans/ lorries/ floats had large cut-away sections which would have made handing out large items safe at lower speeds. We only got tiny things flung from the back of cars.
I caught some mini bags of Haribo, some wristbands and an inflatable pillow (actually that hit the side of my face) and duly handed them over to the children, because that was part of the fun of it.
The littlest girl was on her Daddy's shoulders. Both her parents asked her for reports as to what was coming next along the road, as she had the best view.
Suddenly she screamed out "OMG! [saying the letters] it's a Fruit Shoot!"
This is a fruit based drink aimed at children.
She could barely contain herself, happier at the Fruit Shoot vehicle with an enormous bottle on top than anything Tour-related. I think if a fully costumed Disney procession had gone past she couldn't have been happier. Which did make me smile.
Anyway, after about three flavours went by and nothing had been thrown, she was so disappointed.
Her Mum said, "No pet, they were going too fast, it would have been dangerous."
"Ask the lady" came the reply, "I bet she got some."
Her Mum felt the need to apologise but I was already pretty giggly and had to laugh.
There is a little girl somewhere in Yorkshire tonight who thinks I am either a great goalie, or a mean Fruit-Shoot stealer.
Or both.
|