This week was a transition week between two groups of guests staying with us - enjoying the recent memory of the first and looking forward to the next.
Observations this week are two and varied:
Serious ball tossing
We have often travelled through small villages, especially during weekends, and seen the locals playing pétanque
What Is Pétanque - this Is Pétanque (thisispetanque.com)
This seems to be both relaxing and has an element community building joviality for those taking part.
However...
It all gets a bit serious when the regional (Cote d'Azur) championships are hosted in our town and the big guns come out.
You could cut the air with a knife as the contestants go through their pre-toss routines and lob their steel balls to either skillfully roll right up to the (small ball - we are sure the French have a much more elegant name) or impressively and aggressively blast their opponents balls off the gravel.
Nail biting stuff - and vying for a EURO3,000 prize (yes!)
Cats and dogs -just who is in charge?
Dogs here are generally not the real variety (i.e. not often bigger than you could fit into a handbag - which is where many of them spend much of the day - there and in restaurants).
However, ...
In the narrow and winding lanes and walkways of the ancient villages we find out who is really in charge.
The mayor?
No
The raucous gang of local callow youths?
None of them here
But, quietly and treating all around with equal disregard, it is clearly the cats
Cross them at your peril
With an unexpected uplift in work commitments, short rides only this week.
The favourite Sunday ride was a valley loop in the ski country through Greolieres - just a bit too stunning for its own good
You can see a short loop of the ride here:
https://www.relive.cc/view/vRO7exDrPKq
The short local rides had their moments also