Bill beat me to it.

Hi,
Maréchal ferrant is the term for farrier, one who trim hooves and shoes horses. Forgeron is a general blacksmith, who would make just about anything from iron like railings for balconies, tools, blades, plowshares, and blanks for horseshoes. These last could be further refined by the maréchal ferrant using a small portable forge and a small anvil. Out good friend Marie-Terese often had a maréchal ferrant come to her stable when she was showing her horses in dressage and show-jumping. Most forgerons have evolved into serrurières/metaliers who mostly do welding and installing of gates and enclosures but also have a forge for more traditional work. In an agricultural community, these people are invaluable for repairing equipment and metallic enclosures. In Gevrey établissements Babouhot performs this function. The father of the current owner was a fixture in our town, and a huge friend to us when we first came here years ago.
Cheers,
Keith

In this context it is a farrier, one who makes shoes for and shoes horses. A critical function in a rural farming community of 100 plus years ago.

Haha, thank you!

We will assure your bikes that they are not forgotten and will be on the road again soon.

I doubt the man in the doorway wasn’t one of them! ;(

Marechal is “marshal”.

.Is it suitable for horses and bikes? ;)

Hi Steve & Dodie, I believe you're arriving in Boubiers tomorrow! Say hi to Ian & Clare from us ... and our bikes waiting patiently for our return in September. Sadly you'll be stealing our glory with your 4000 km's. Ian and Clare were so impressed that we had achieved a paltry 1500 kms. This will blow them away. I enjoyed following your journey and what a great trip you had.

Just covering the bases, for safety and effect.

Bulk carriers: aka Barges. — Don’t give me your steenkin’ badges.
I know it isn’t the same thing, but I couldn’t resist stating it.. ;)

Well, technically speaking it IS a “fork in the road”..

Gotta “keep up with the Joneses”…;)

Haha, you made a funny.

The worst part is that this is only a small bit of the tree. It extended into your forest for 10 or 20 feet at each end.

I dunno... I see no spots on it.