The Bike Ride

Bon jour tout le Monde.

Still beautiful weather here. This am before French we went to hire a bike for the day.The bikes are good, each has a locking chain and they only cost 2 euro for the day.

After French lessons, Lois the New Yorker, Josh the Bronx student and moi, set off for a day at the beach. It was a great ride along the canals and I was keen to see the famous flamengo's that habite in the swamps near the sea. After a ride of about 15 klms we arrived at Palavos and had a picnic lunch that Lois had prepared earlier. Of course we had a bottle of wine. 3 euro!

Checked out the markets, pretty good. Lots of the bistros displayed huge trays of paella with enormous prawns and muscles. Afterwards we hit the beach. Lots of topless girls on the beach. Josh was very patient considering he was in public with two old bags. Ha

The ride home was something else....not a flamengo insight (normally lots of pink ones) and we had a head wind! The track is not exactly flat, so it took twice as long to get back. It was as we turned a corner and came to a bridge that Lois did a dive into the hedge on the side of the road. Eventually we found her, unable to move as the bike was on top of her. Its not funny, but...I have only known Lois in the french class. She is pretty good at french. Lets just say, it was not french that she was speaking at that time! She is a very good sport and managed to make it back even though she had a very bruised and scraped arm. Not to mention her pride.

Paul cooked Casserole of Rabbit for dinner tonight. Cest Tres Bien.

Ce tout. Love Ros xxx

SORRY NO PHOTOS. I AM BEING KICKED OUT , TIMES UP!

BON JOUR MON AIMEES.....ITS SO GOOD TO HEAR YOU HAVE MISSED ME AS MUCH AS I HAVE MISSED YOU. A FEW DAYS WITHOUT THE BLOG IS LIKE HAVING MY WINE SUPPLY CUT OFF

.

The house I am staying in does not have the internet. A few local bistros brag of having free wifi but its not always available. At last, today I found a hotel that has free wifi, providing you buy a wine or a coffee. I conned Josh into coming with me, my wine cost 3 euro and his gin and tonic cost 8.50euro! It was expensive wifi for him. And for me, I excitedly opened computer to find lots of mail, and THATS when the battery went flat. I forgot to take the adaptor.Ha!

Monday, french class went well, it was our teachers 26th birthday, she is such a pretty intelligent girl. We bought her flowers and she was really embarassed.Dont think it will help with my test results though. !!!

Tuesday I went to Paris with the girls.When we arrived (3 hr journey) there was a manifestation! No taxis could reach the TGV Station as the roads were blocked, the metro also suffered, so it stopped. We waited in line for over an hour and finally the girls caught a cab to their hotel. I stayed at the railway stn to return to Montpellier as I was afraid I might never get back. During the wait we met a great retired American couple from Colorado. Their son is a pilot for Delta airlines and they fly business class all over the world for nothing. They pack light, each had a small bag on wheels. So, instead of waiting hours for a cab, they got onto a taxi scooter with their small bags, he with his walking stick, and her (probably about 70 years old) with her backpack, off to their destination!

Before we left home we bought a eurail pass, so the trip to Paris and return didnt cost any extra. I love the TGV, Its so quick, clean, quiet inside and comfy. Its 2 storied so you get a good view. Lots of people take their computer on the train and some take their dog, often in handbags. The scenery from the train is so picturesque. Ornamental trees and arches of grapevines and statues are common on roundabouts on the main roads. A patchwork of green and gold crops border the train track the entire length of France I am sure. Grapevines everywhere. The train passed lots of tall wind farms and small lakes reflecting the red tiles of the maisons surrounding them. Vegetable crops galore, fruit trees and more grape vines. No wonder the wine is so cheap here. Oh, and I havent even mentioned the rivers and dams. Little villages dotted all over the countryside surrounded by hedges and lush trees. And, what about this....rice fields. They grow rice, not to mention lettuces (for the skinny bitches) raddishes, artichokes, strawberries, cherries, zucchini, rhubarb, tomatoes, almonds, avocados, did I mention grapes! Tout le monde is green! I saw all this between Montpellier and Paris.

Wednesday after class I felt a little lost, first day without catching up with the girls. Josh and I went to book a train trip to Marseille for Saturday.That evening, Paul served artichokes for dinner. I have never had them before. (Apart from in the jar of oil as anti pasta) he explained how to sit the plate on the knife so that the juice would run out of the veg. We ate them with a vinegarette dressing. One kinda chews the soft meat from the leaf, discards said leaf and then onto the next one.(Thank goodness he was showing me what to do, cause I thought the leaf was a bit tough to eat.)

Paul is a sweetie. His wife Francine works, he is the cook. Another night he cooked muscles. Everynight the meal is interesting. Usually 3 course.And everynight the conversation is about, war, politics, economics, and so on. Everyone must have an opinion and everyone must have fire in their belly about their opinion. ALL THIS IN FRENCH, I am usually exhausted at night.

Thursday today. Test day at French class, for the first time I was not stressed. Might be when I receive it back tomorrow. Ha. After french today I went to the square where the markets of the day were linen and bedding . All beautiful provincial quilting. The volley ball competitions are still happening and live bands play during the breaks.The courts are surrounded by plastic blow up chairs and spa's! All the cafes and bistros facing the square have buskers of some sort doing their thing. World cup fever still dominates every conversation.

Au revoir mon amies.

Love ROS XXX

Aix en Provence

Saturday we travelled with a group of French students from another school in Montpellier to Aix en Provence, by bus. It was really hot and It’s about here that I must tell you the girls did not want to go as the tour and commentary was only in French! I convinced the girls to go as Aix is known for its specialty of 13 desserts on 1 plate!

Aix was nice, more of the same beautiful Cathedrals, narrow streets, busker’s and lots of sweet shops. Aix en Provence specializes in a French biscuit of an almond/sugar mixture on top of a communion wafer. We also discovered that the plate of 13 desserts is only a specialty served on Christmas Day after midnight! I was not popular!!!!!!!

The French artist 'Paul Cezanne' lived in Aix in the late 1800s, of course the French have an artist of some sort to brag about in each city. But one gets saturated with history after 6 weeks! But we never tire of the markets! They were huge, food, clothing, antiques…great stuff, it’s a pity we can’t carry more home.

It is hard to find a loo in Aix, or for that matter, anywhere in France! After the long bus ride, the information centre told us to go across from the fountain and down the stairs to find a public loo. When we arrived we found an old lady with one tooth and 2 dogs in charge of the toilets…. 50c later, as we walked past men doing their thing at the urinal, we were shown the squat loo’s. Oh yuck. The French may have famous artists but their dunnys leave a lot to be desired! After that experience we crossed our legs for the ride back to Montpellier!

Today, Sunday, after having a dozen oysters fresh from the market for lunch (bargain at 8 Euro) we revisited the Fabre museum to look at the classical furniture collection which was displayed in an elegant old hotel; afterwards we watched the volley ball competitions in the square and had a cold beer and coffee, as the weather (a humid and hot day) changed with a nice cool breeze, we listened to a summer thunder storm and watched the amazing clouds fly over the city!

World Cup fever continues here! Bars, streets and restaurants are full of eager fans cheering and yelling no matter what the outcome!

Last day with the girls tomorrow before they head back to Paris and travel off for 4 weeks through Europe.

Love Ros , Kim and Kate xxx

Thursday 10th and Friday 11th Montpellier

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOSH PUCKRIDGE!! We hope you have had a great day. We have a candle for your Birthday from a Monastry/Abbey called Saint Lauren built in 1206 in a small village called Saint Guilhem le desert! The things we do for you! xxx

Yesterday (after class and stressfull test) we caught a local bus to a small village an hour away, changed to another bus and eventually arrived at our destination of St Guilhem le desert. The little village built in a valley and on the banks of a river grew around an Abbey in the 11th century. Not much has changed. The houses, with their sun bleached roof tiles and distinctive Roman windows have beautiful thistles called "cardabelle" attached to the doors, they predict the weather, closing up when rain is on the way.

We had a picnic prepared by the girls, on the river bank and had just finished our wine when the cardabelle thistles closed. Consequently we spent the rest of the afternoon walking around the village surrounded by Mountains full of Roman ruins, caves and aqueducts. It poured with rain, and as the water ran through the tiny Rues out to the river we thought how good it would be to have it at home. The little village has a medieval square dominated by tall trees planted in 1855. We decided to have coffee and crepes whilst Josh tracked in the rain. Its all about choices isnt it? Who wants to track in the rain when you can have traditional French crepes! Arrived home wet, late and tired.

FRIDAY 11th Montpellier.

French this morning was good. I received my test and didnt do as bad as I thought, you have no idea the relief I feel. Having a slow day today. Have lunched in the girls apartment and as its raining but not cold, we are returning to the Fabre Museum/art gallery.

Ca Va ! Au revoir.

Love to all Ros Kate and Kim XXX

Wednesdsay 9th June

Bon jour mon amies,

I write to you as the world cup fever is at a pitch and its and hour away from commencing here. The French are passionate about their football. They actually have a call similar to our AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE.

On Wednesday after class (Ugh!) we went to the Fabre museum. It is an art gallery/museum and the three of us enjoyed it so much we spent all day there. I got home (HOME!!????) at 6pm. By 7.30 I was at the OPERA!!! Can you believe it? There is an opera house 2 minutes from where I am staying. It was having its final performance of La Traviata before closing down for a year. Its a beautiful ancient building full of (sorry about this) huge marble staircases and statues, painted ceilings and enormous gigantic chandeliers! In the confusion of conversation with Madame Francene and Monsieur Paul whom I thought were coming to the opera with us we discovered they were not. Didn't matter, Josh and I managed to get tickets at the last minute and were guided to the 6th level, so high up (probably where the poor were crammed in the old days....things haven't changed) it was so hot as there was no air-conditioning and we were crammed in like sardines. But the tickets were only 23 E each and we thoroughly enjoyed the night. I have learnt so much more than just the language with this trip.

love Ros, Kate and Kim xxx

Another day Another Manifestation

Bon Jour mon amies,

A quick blog today. Its a nuisance not having internet at my hosts home. Lots of homework for me last night and today was one of those frustrating lessons. I think I am going to have to cut the day tripping and do more homework!Eh bien!!! Zut!!!Chouette!

Today we continued the never ending quest looking for the perfect crème brulee. Its going to be a bugger if we find it! We found some new food markets to wander through as well as some quirky little rues with petite boutiques. Then...we heard the whistles and you all know what that means... another manifestation. Today the infermiere (nurses) marched for a 10% increase. I am actually getting to like the manifestations (as loud as they are).

Talking about loud, last night at 11pm a guitarist began playing flamenco music at the bottom of my bedroom window. Even though I am on 2nd floor it's loud, as the buildings across the Rue are close. He was then accompanied by a man with a piano accordion. I hung out the window for some time and watched and listened. Can always sleep when we return home. The girls also have noise problems where they are staying but theirs is of a different origin. They have several Indian neighbours playing spoons accompanied by high pitch Hindu singing late into the night. Yes...I know, France embraces us all!

A Domain, Love Ros, Kate and Kim xxx

P.S Richard, the first picture is where Kate and Kim are staying.

Nimes

Bounjour tout le monde,

Just heard that it's 15 degs in Adelaide. Hope we are still getting some rain...but "frankly Charlotte, we don't give a dam!" (Not true at all.)

Saturday night we went to a fantastic restaurant recommended to us by the woman in my class. The meal began with the girls entree of a pot of warm goats cheese with walnuts and bacon, a petite jar of caramelized onion, toasted pain and a lightly dressed rocket salad. Myself, a dish with poached egg and grilled bacon, over which, the waiter poured chilled tomato soup. I know we should have stopped there BUT....Kate had grilled Mediterranean salmon with cream of basil sauce and Kim and I had Roasted lamb chops with herbs from Provence. To Kim's delight a large roasted potato accompanied with a grilled parmesan crusted tomato and salad. I know we should have stopped there BUT....Kate's dessert was a de-constructed citron tart layered in a glass with crumbled tart shell, citrus curd and fresh cream with meringue! Kim and I had a dish of two ice-cream filled profiteroles drizzled with melted dark chocolate!

Sunday we left early with Josh to catch the TGV to Nimes, a Roman town on the border of Languedoc and Provence. More ancient architecture including the best preserved Roman monuments in the world, an Arena/Amphitheatre that held 24,000 people on 34 tiered terraces. If those hours climbing the arena did not move last nights dinner, nothing will! We also visited an ancient temple where we watched a movie on the history of the Romans fighting in the arena in 3D. It really was Great!

We bought some baguettes and red wine from the boulangier and visited the Jardins de la Fontaine. This would have to be one of the highlights of our trip and a must see to anyone visiting France. We followed the aqua ducts to where ancient Roman thermal baths are built under the gardens. I hope the photos do justice, the gardens have an abundance of tall marble urns and statues. In different areas the towns folk had set up chairs to rest on. There were concerts, petanque players, music and childrens activities. The gardens included the ruins of the Temple Diana and hundreds of wide stairs leading to the highest parts of the gardens where we entered and climbed to the top of an old watchtower built by the celts as a sign of their strength, and for use as a lookout. If that didn't wear off last nights dinner......

The afternoon bought rain and we got pretty drenched. We checked out the winding streets and a market where we took part in some serious wine tasting before catching the last train home. We all loved Nimes, one day is just not enough.

At 8pm my hosts served smoked salmon on small crepes with crème fresh, afterwards, roast du canard in orange sauce (duck), with veg and then strawberries and ice-cream, of course all served with wine. Afterwards they invited us to watch Private Ryan.....In French of course! Josh fell asleep early, I just made midnight.

LOVE Ros, Kate and Kim xxx