Toussaint 2011 en Provence

And so Toussaint en Provence is over.

We're left with fond memories, lots of them.

It was a really great adventure for us organizers (around 120 volunteers). Obviously not everything was perfect but we did our utmost to ensure our last minute worries didn't hassle the competitors too much. We're tired, naturally, but pleased to have been part of such a great orienteering festival in Provence.

A big hand to all the volunteers and to everybody who helped us out, the Region, The Conseil General des Bouches du Rhone, ERDF, NGE based in St Etienne du Grès, the town of Tarascon, the town councils in Avignon, Barbentane, Boulbon and Châteaurenard, the fathers at Frigolet Abbey, without forgetting the French Forestry Commission (ONF), the local hunting clubs as well numerous sponsors : AirXtrem, Aujoras biscuits in  Morières, le Cellier de Laure in Noves, Dole in Chateaurenard, Esprit Course Avignon, Distribution Boissons Services in Avignon, la Fromenterie in Chateaurenard, Jean Martin in Maussane, Orientsport, Sportident.

Over 2000 people took part in the competition including those in the Leisure event.

And the vast majority of you appreciated the organization, the different terrain and the routes we mapped out, we'll remember the fabulous setting in front of the Pope's Palace in Avignon but also the villages of Châteaurenard and Barbentane and the surrounding Provencal landscape. Those of you who didn't know what a kermes oak (Quercus coccifera) was before certainly do now !!!

The weather was very kind to us and you managed to avoid the infamous Mistral wind and the torrential downpours which have hit the area since Thursday, flooding Tarascon in particular.

Your kind remarks, messages of thanks, congratulations and above all your smiles have gone straight to our hearts. No doubt because of that, after a bit of well-earned rest, we'll think about putting together a new adventure.....

Until then you can come and enjoy other Provencal terrain in the ravines of the Alpes de Haute Provence and the Vaucluse during the National South-East competition in May 2012. The Sisteron and Pertuis clubs will be on hand to welcome you in style yet again.

Once again a big thanks to you all and see you soon in Provence.

Daniel André