The weather is still pretty nippy, and it seems hard to believer the gloom and doom from Nice Matin, suggesting that there will be no snow in the Alpes-Maritimes by 2050. The ski resorts may be thinking about throwing in the towel at the end of March (2010!), but for sure there will be plenty of snow around up high, perfect for enjoying the great outdoors, without the whirr of chair lifts, or the embuggerment of people who crash into you. The Winter Olympics have been a great watch, and we have been very pleased to see the vote for non-ski type activity (which says something at least about our love for off-piste) in the Times (x3), I, II, III and the Guardian IV.

Further afield

STOP inviting me, dear friends, to places further afield such as Kili or Macchu Picchu; love to, but we have enough on our plates right now here. Must get to Kashmir sometime though, although maybe not on skis! Looking forward very much to the escape to Gran Paradiso with our favourite Three Mousquetaires in July and hoping that third time lucky might mean that we see a bit of blue sky this time around! Otherwise we will be skulking around the Alpes-Maritimes, even taking a shot at Cap Ferrat. If it's good enough for Steve Ballmer, it must be good enough for us.

On our back door step?

Moves afoot to improve the promotion of Alpha - the wolf park, and also to create a central tourist operation here. Hat's off, however, to our local dynamos who have actually done something, rather than prevaricating. Following on from the cultural events in the summer, free dancing in the town square in July and August and the tuesday market - there is now a small art gallery in Roquebillière, as well as the (French only) regional website.

Titter of the month

The French supplying generic wine as a varietal to the Americans? They may have thought that no-one in the USA has any taste buds but, quand même.

Gems

From the mouth of David Bellamy - "The secret of being happy is being obsessed by something" - and in this case, snowdrops.

Laurels from the Guest Book

"Un grand merci à l'ecossaise pieds-nus" March 7 2010

Must away.....

... to plant some flower meadows....