"Don't forget to bring back the wood! "
It was with this mocking humour that my favourite teenager wished me a good day. Can you blame him? Seeing his accountant father off to work wearing a large red and black checked shirt... Totally in keeping with the theme!
After the day at the office, we had an appointment to share an activity that left me rather perplexed. An original experience, to say the least: axe-throwing!
Some, like me, were sceptical. Some, like me, were sceptical. Others were even genuinely frightened... How much weight would the bloody axe carry? What if I can't throw it? Will everyone be looking at me?
Friday 20th April. 20H. A little hidden street between Belleville and Montmartre. 19 colleagues are with me. A huge log of wood stands in front of the main entrance and sets the tone. We enter. Straw. Rows like bowling. Except at the end, a target and an axe. The host welcomes us. Small drink. Short briefing.
(Look, he's got a checkered shirt too! I was right!)
A little stress is felt when it's time to pick up the axe and reproduce as best as possible the gesture taught by the shirt-wearing coach! The posture was ideal, the muscles taut, the throw was flawless... and ended up pathetically 1m50 from the target.... Right in the straw... off to a good start!
As time goes by, the competition becomes real!
Everyone gets into the game! Everyone tries to surprise the others! Even Charlène, who was apprehensive about the activity, is spurred on by an adrenalin rush that gives her wings... or rather skill. She surprises everyone.
1 shot, 2 shots, 3 shots on the target. Our stunned looks seem to give her an even greater desire to win. She had the highest score of the group. Her last throw was worthy of a film: right on target! She beat the head coach to the punch and took the highest score in the team!
Unbelievable!
As for me, I'd have done better to forget the checks... The suit doesn't make the man, and the shirt doesn't make the lumberjack... Fortunately, I'm in the Coubertin spirit. I still had a superb evening. One hell of a laugh and an experience to be repeated whatever the cost .... next time with the son... we'll see who's laughing at who!
If anyone had told me I'd have such a crazy evening, surrounded by my office colleagues throwing axes...
