In search of the Flamingos

Bon Jour,

Bit of a slow day today.I spent most of the morning in bed with Bernard................................

Schlink that is, author of the book "The Reader".

This afternoon I caught the bus along the marshes looking for the flamingos. I know they exist because they are pictured on all the post cards and people I know have seen flocks of them floating on the banks, BUT......I still havent. Not a one!

Today in le Comedie Square the markets were all about leathers from Spain. Lots of handbags, shoes and jewellery. Also a tennis court set up where participants kicked the small tennis ball over the net with their feet. Very clever.

And then, the Spanish dancing. A band of 5 men singing with only a drum and one guitar whilst the dancer tapped her heart out. It really was fantastic! If I ever work out how to put a video on blog I can show you.

Back to warm days with a little breeze...heaven.

Au revoir mon amies, Love Ros xxxx

PONT DU GARD

BON JOUR.

Ever wondered how they get the bubbles into a bottle of Perrier water? This and many other questions can be answered, if you too, take a tour of the natural springs in Nimes where Perrier is bottled. The Ferias (Bullfighting festival) was in June, Stevie Wonder played at the Ancient Arena last night.....and I visit the spring water Plant!

Truth is, I had time to kill before I caught the bus to Pont du Gard, which is about 20 kls out of Nimes. The 3 tiered aqueduct was built around 19 bc to bring water into Nimes. The scale is huge, 35 Arches on the top tier and its at least 50meters above the River Gard below where some brave and hot people were swimming. After walking across the top in the heat, I nearly jumped into the River myself.

Later, back in Nimes I called into the Halles (Food market). Just love going to the Halles in any town , where fresh food of everything and anything is available ,you can see in the photos.

This morning the train due for Toulouse was 'en retard" late! Instead of waiting the hour or so I changed my ticket to Nimes. Travelling alone is stressfull, I am always worried I may not get back as some of the buses are unreliable. Maybe I am getting a little home sick!!!????

Hope you are all keeping warm...Love Ros xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Dimanche in Montpellier (Sunday)

Bon Jour mon amies, Last night Montpellier was sweltering, it was 34 deg in the apartment at midnight! OK I admit it, the French are good, but, no air-conditioning! What the!

Even my bright idea to see a film was squashed when Monsieur told me "Il fait tres chaud" Its too hot to show the movie's today!

The centre square was all but deserted, Spanish dancers cancelled their act and even the normally packed bistros could not pull a crowd with their huge water misted fans propelling under the umbrellas.

I called into the Museum knowing I could cool off in air-conditioned comfort, there is a massive screen on the wall showing delayed, slow motion photographic images of the public as they enter. Little did I know that was my entertainment for the day.

When I ventured outside there was a huge storm brewing. Bring it on! Soon the skies opened, thunder cracked and it poured. I was a long way from home but walked in the rain anyway. The markets were awash as the vendors tried to pack their goods away . It was good to walk without the stench of dog wee and poo on the pavements.

So there you have it, the mundane life of a day in France..But, tomorrow should be better as I am off to Toulouse!

Allez-y doucement!

Love Ros xxxx

Bon Jour Mon amies, Still bloody hot here in Montpellier. Yesterday I took it easy just couldnt get the energy to go anywhere so in the afternoon I checked out the sales and did some food shopping. (Its a hard life)

This morning I met Francene under the huge Magnolia trees in the park for Thai Chi. It was a great 2 hours. Afterwards Francene, Paul and their daughter Sevrene ( who is visiting them from Montreal) came to look at the apartment and stayed for lunch. It was fun but a little stressful and I was happy when they left as I found it hard to converse with the daughter, she spoke so fast! In the end I just made out I understood what I didnt!

Paul and Francene were as sweet as ever. Tonight they have another student coming to stay with them for three weeks. He is a 19 year old Arabian. Sevrene who is 26 is about to travel along the coast to Bulgeria where she is working in a camp for 4 weeks. I am sure she gave me every detail about the camp and her life but I couldnt tell you very much of it. In fact....I think maybe the week on my own has not been as good for my French as I thought. Comme si comme sa.

The Monsieur in the boucherie understood me. I bought these little courgette (Zucchini) souffles. They were light as a feather and delicious. A rotisserie Chook cost 5.50 Euro. About the same as home although ours are much tastier. I feel very proud to be Australian when asked where I come from , the French know Sydney, and they all tell me how hot Australia is. Well if it aint hot here!!?????

Kate and Kim are in Vienna, they are both in bed for the day.Kate has the flu and a temp and Kim has both eyes infected with conjunctivitis. They are not happy to be missing out on Vienna.

Montpellier is preparing for world cup quarter finals tonight. The atmosphere is inviting. Hope you are all enjoying it at home.

Bon Nuit. Love ros xxxxx

Photos; 2 x Avignon, the petit local corner shops. La Corbeille and La Boucherie/Charcuterie and some left overs from lunch.

AVIGNON

Bon jour tout le monde!

As I write there is the sound of ten thousand drums coming from the apartment above. Band practice seems to be most evenings. I am wondering if the 94 year old lady, also above, is dancing around her walking stick.

Today I visited Avignon, the city of the popes from the middle ages. Very pretty with its tall plane trees lining the entrance from one of the 5 gates in the 4.3 klm medieval rampart that surrounds the old town. Avignon is noticeably different from the other towns because of the mixture of architecture, from 17th and 18th century Roman Baroque and 19th and 20th French classic. Absolutely amazing. Monuments line the streets and adorn the buildings. Its a photographers paradise.

Avignon has the same ol' Notre Dam Cathederal with its gilded Madonna looking over the city as in all the other places but the interior is different and interesting with its versions of Christ illuminated in the coffin with a dog licking his feet! The cathedrals reminds me of the Ken Follet book "Pillars of the earth".

Avignon also has a river and quaint narrow streets absolutely full of cafes and bistros. Tables and chairs are set up all over the town, under trees, down alleys. Its wall to wall restaurants.

Visited the Petit Palace and the famous Avignon bridge built in the 12th century. Jean, it was pretty hard to dance on the bloody bridge! But I did a little jig as you told me everyone has to dance on the bridge!

Luckily there was no manifestation today and I caught the TGV without hassle. Called into the local corner shop near the apartment, Monsieur gave me some olives in a container. Who said the French are arrogant. I feel more like a local every day.

Bon Nuit! Ros xxxxxxxxxxxx