The best thing about Rose Bowl Flea Market is hugh variety of items that can be found, there is something for almost everyone. Very few people leave empty handed and many people leave with their cars, SUVs or trucks filled with items, many of which they would not have been able to find anywhere else.

Last but not least, if you have children, do not be afraid to bring them with you. There is plenty for them to see and do and there are plenty of toys, food and other items for sale that will attract and hold their intrest. Although place is always crowded security is excellent, helpful and friendly making this a safe place for you and your children.

For more information about city of Pasadena, California see http://pasadena.usacitydirectories.com, a directory of links to city of Pasadena, California guides and directories listing hotels, restaurants, churches, physicians, attorneys, information, resources, services, things to do, places to go, art galleries, service organizations, auto dealers, nursing homes, convalescent hospitals, antique dealers and more.

After DIY you might fancy a day at races. The legendary courses are mostly around Paris but elsewhere you will probably not be far from a hippodrome and a great day out. The French love racing; it’s for all family. Often, small rural courses overlook a beautiful chateau or run alongside a picturesque river, even though racing will probably take place on only two or three occasions each year, always on a Sunday or public holiday.

The action begins around midday for those who book a trestle table meal. Later arrivals bring picnic tables, chairs and boxes or baskets full of their own goodies and head for shade of trees. Those arriving just before first race, usually about 2.30pm, go straight to temporary bar for a liquid lunch and then search out whatever shade is left in quaint little stand.

Placing a bet is easy. You don’t have to be rich either. There are no bookies and minimum amount is 2 euros. You place your bet with pari mutual (like English tote), where a temporary screen shows you how odds are changing.

“Le cinq, deux euros gagnant, s’il vous plait”, will have you betting two euros on horse number five to win. For some reason, horse number one is l’as. I have problems saying this, consequently I never bet on this horse, even if it’s a dead cert!

It’s just as easy to bet that your horse will not win- but it must be placed -hence “place” instead of “gagnant” If you are a really serious punter then there are more complicated, costly and potentially lucrative bets to make. In any event, don’t be surprised to find a horse owned by Sheik Mohammed or even Aga Khan running alongside horses from local trainer.

After such a busy day you may be tempted by local thé dansant, (tea dance) or danse de diner, (dinner dance) at salle des fetes, (village hall). If waltz or foxtrot is beyond your capabilities then don’t worry. The French do a wonderful dance most of time, to apparently same or similar tune, which goes something like this: hold your partner as you would to a waltz, shuffle a bit to right, then shuffle to left. Turn your partner around, shuffle some more in any direction you wish, then repeat same , or different shuffles again. It’s a bit like dog-gem cars on dance floor but everyone attempts to look professional and avoid doing each other a serious injury. What’s more they thoroughly enjoy themselves.

You may also find that your local bar owner employs a live band from time to time for your entertainment. What luck for us to find a nostalgia group had been booked to appear in town. It’s great to hear sounds of sixties again even if it’s sung with a French accent. The bar was packed; feet were tapping and everyone was having a great time until suddenly tables and chairs in front of group were pushed to one side by intruders to provide a makeshift dance floor. The golden skinned medallion men strutted flamboyantly as they were joined by their mini skirted “mrs” who shook and shimmied in front of bemused young musicians and disbelieving audience. “Mon Dieu” cried someone, “Is this Costa del Sol?”

“Quick”, shouted someone else, “grab your coats, if we hurry, we’ll just be in time for last shuffle at salle des fete!”

Someone please prevent us from doing British things TO France.

Copyright 2005 B A Boyle. May be freely reproduced "as-is" for private and commercial use.