...down to 400m this weekend...and still threatening more...this should tide us over well for the winter - enough snow for padding about in - without this!
Just another couple of days before the sun comes out again, so getting on with some inside jobs and dodging the Sarkozy barbs.... plenty to put in order in his own house you would imagine - election year will tell!! Is this what you think of France??

The sun got us all motivated, and after a great Christmas and New Year, sans neige (who needs it?!), we've been out and about a bit, doing some of the "must-do" Riviera things that we've promised ourselves for the past eight years!! A memorable night in the Palais de la Mediterranée (thanks to Voyage-Privé), a different sort of horsey day at the Cagnes Hippodrome which has a magnificent backdrop to the Med, all the high octane fun of the Monaco Car Rally, won by Loeb and partner - again!!, plus a flying visit to Naples with the redoubtable Denis Longfellow.

We are both now more into spring mode, although we are slotting in another week of snowshoeing on March 17 for the keen!!

And the year rolls on, action packed with a load of petrol sniffer events in Monaco all year, the Nice Carnaval (Anthony Peregrine thinks it is the best Carnival in Europe), Menton Lemon Festival, and the World Skating Championships, all this and more before May when the "over paid and hyped" hit town!

I could watch charming videos about the Mercantour, set to Vivaldi, and twirl indefinitely to the energetic Lu Rauba Capeu (you've got to get to see these guys - ska country dancing on speed!) but I'd also like to get to Sainte-Agnès for a wander and a horse ride (this TF1 snippet brings it all to life!) and escape to Provence for a further reccie before the first trip in May - this is really one of the best Provence weeks we've seen, even though we say so ourselves!!!

Thought this and this looked like great sites for holidaying with learning and/or punishing yourself tagged on - but just ask us if there is something you wish to master.....

      • Overcoming a fear of horses....
      • French conversation....
      • Basic navigation skills....
      • Welsh for beginners....
      • Car mechanics....
      • Rescuing people in an avalanche....
      • Balloon hat making (only once a year!!)....

- all things we appear to be doing as a matter of course!!!!!!

Testimonials...
Hiya Liz and Mel, thanks for a brilliant week's walking, exploring, wonderful food and excellent company. David (Mr Colour Co-ord) Brown - Christmas 2011

Our gîtes - Open doors again from February 25th!!!