Day 3442 (Wednesday) 11th November 2026.

Today is a bank holiday for Armistice Day but Super U was open and Huw went over there to get some bits and took this photo of a local parade. Shame about the weather, it was horrible again today and apparently we’re in for a big storm tomorrow

Armistice Day in France

Armistice Day is a Bank Holiday (Jour Férié) in France –  the French commemorate the day when the war ended on the 11th hour, on the 11th day of the 11th month. We will remember.

Interestingly enough it is not a Bank Holiday in the UK, however, throughout the land children would have been making poppies, selling poppies and wearing them. As fully fledged adults we remember doing this as school children ourselves and so it continues, today. It is ingrained in our culture some 100 years later.

Here in France, the flower that is associated with the ending of World War I, is the cornflower ‘Le bleuet’, however, this is not as widely worn as you have come to see in the UK.

The French commemorate the ending of WW1 with this bank holiday. Many shops and public services will be closed. Local church services will be held and you will see the monuments for the fallen adorned with French flags. I personally have great admiration for the way in which the French commemorate their war dead. In particular, the statues of the soldiers. You will find stunning pieces of art all across the very tiniest of villages across France. It is a very important day in our Nation’s history.

So please do go along to your local church service if you would like to commemorate in this way. You will be most welcome. As is the case in the UK, there will be a minute’s silence at 11am (10am in the UK). Or you may wish to switch on your French television and watch live coverage of the ceremony In Paris. The French president, Emmanuel Macron, will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown soldier at the Arc de Triomphe.

Now on a much lighter note…

Funny mistranslations in hotels

Every translator, linguist, language lover and grammar nerd has been there. Wherever we travel, our eyes are checking everything around us for grammar and translation mistakes. The following mistranslations are some of the most ‘famous’ ones, they can be found in many webpages online. I won’t talk about the importance of professional translation services to avoid such (sometimes grave) mistakes, I’ll just let you enjoy the hilarious translation blunders.

Japan

Is forbitten to steal hotel towels please. If you are not person to do such thing is please not to read notis.

Please to bathe inside the tub.

You are invited to take advantage of the chambermaid.

Information booklet about using a hotel air conditioner: Cooles and Heates: If you want just condition of warm in your room, please control yourself.

Guests are requested not to smoke or do other disgusting behaviors in bed.

Depositing the room key into another person is prohibited.

Germany

Do not enter the lift backwards, and only when lit up.

Berlin cloakroom: Please hang yourself here.

It is our intention to pleasure you every day.

Greece

Visitors are expected to complain at the office between the hours of 9 and 11 A.M. daily.

In order to prevent shoes from mislaying, please don’t corridor them. The management cannot be held.

Austria

In case of fire, do your utmost to alarm the hotel porter.

France

Please leave your values at the front desk.

Name of a hotel in Lectoure: Hotel de Bastard.

Wondering what to wear? A sports jacket may be worn to dinner, but no trousers.

Romania

The lift is being fixed for the next day. During that time we regret that you will be unbearable.

Serbia

To move the cabin, push button for wishing floor. If the cabin should enter more persons, each one should press a number of wishing floor. Driving is then going alphabetically by national order.

The flattening of underwear with pleasure is the job of the chambermaid.

Russia

Across from a Russian Orthodox monastery: You are welcome to visit the cemetery where famous Russian and Soviet composers, artists, and writers are buried daily except Thursdays.

If this is your first visit to the USSR, you are welcome to it.

Poland

On the menu of a Polish hotel: Salad a firm’s own make; limpid red beet soup with cheesy dumplings in the form of a finger; roasted duck let loose; beef rashers beaten up in the country people’s fashion.

Switzerland

Because of the impropriety of entertaining guests of the opposite sex in the bedroom, it is suggested that the lobby be used for this purpose.

Special today – no ice cream.

We have nice bath and are very good in bed.

Mexico

The manager has personally passed all the water served here.

Thailand

Please do not bring solicitors into your room.

China

Included with the package of complimentary wares in a Chinese hotel was a pair of workout shorts marked: Uncomplimentary pants.

Good apperance please no watermelon please.

South Korea

Choose twin bed or marriage size; we regret no King Kong size.

Measles not included in room charge.

Italy

This hotel is renowned for its peace and solitude. In fact, crowds from all over the world flock here to enjoy its solitude.

Please dial 7 to retrieve your auto from the garbage.

Suggestive views from every window.

If service is required, give two strokes to the maid and three to the waiter. It is kindly requested from our guests that they avoid dirting and doing rumours in the rooms. Hot and cold water running up and down the stairs.

Finland

Instructions in case of fire: If you are unable to leave your room, expose yourself in the window.

Ethiopia

To call room service, please open door and call Room Service. Please call quiet, people may sleep.

Morocco

A strong trunk is at your disposal on the reception of the hotel.

Spain

We highly recommend the hotel tart.

Take Discotheque with or without date, in summer plus open air bonging bar

(Canary Islands) If you telephone for room service you will get the answer you deserve.

Qatar

Please do not use the lift when it is not working.

Kyrgyzstan

No entries in upper clothes

Turkey

Flying water in all rooms. You may bask in sun on patio

Denmark

Take care of burglars

India

No spiting on the walls