| Kim and Chris came to visit us for a few days and on the Saturday we decided to visit an agricultural fair.
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| It turned out to be a celebration for the cows coming down from the mountains for the winter.
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| The cows, numbered, and carefully coached by their respective owners took part in "fights". I put fights in inverted commas because hardly any of the cows went near each other once in the ring. They looked at each other and one decided to give way.
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| On the 2 or 3 occasions something more dramatic did happen, it only seemed to be because they were all coaxed on by the owners. Who were obviously highly charged at the prospect of winning a cheese board if their cow did come out triumphant!
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| The other part of the excitement was the beauty contest for the more sedate cows. Feather dusters and enormous cow bells seemed to be the essential ingredients for making your cow look pretty.
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| There was also ploughing with veteran tractors...
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| ...roast chestnuts...
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| ...and a sprinkling of other animals along for the ride!
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| We then visited the park at the royal castle of Aglié.
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| Autumn was in full flow and in the late afternoon the park had some wonderful colours and a serene atmosphere.
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| A top notch pizza finished off a varied day!
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