A lighthearted roundup of two offbeat European events, neither one bad news for anyone.

• In Paris, couples wore flowers in their hair and made "non-marriage" vows at the Montmartre grape harvest festival.
• Some made the vows with romantic partners, others with friends, and one woman did it with her dog.
• In London, a mock downhill skiing race ran with no snow and no hill.
• Competitors strapped lumps of ice to their feet and slid down a track slicked with water and detergent.
• A local police officer joined in riding a bathtub with ice blocks at its corners, and entry fees went to a local charity.

Outlook: Both are annual traditions, so expect them back next year.