Nous sommes arrives encore

and so, we have arrived again. Three months touring to celebrate Tony's retirement.

and about that....

This was to be the significant holiday to mark the end of the working lives of both of us. The tour was booked and paid for when Tony received a phone call at the end of 2025 and seemed unable to form and speak the two-letter word that starts with a "N" and ends in an "o".

No matter, "holidays" with very early starts at the ergonomic standing desk

and kicking into the day in earnest from late mornings - all over again...

Back in the land of UHT milk, March flies in late August and, a newer thing we are experiencing, the "August shut down". In the hottest month many businesses close and staff go on holidays somewhere warmer or cooler. Having landed in Dijon

we are finding many businesses (bars, cafes, restaurants, boulangeries) are closed for the month of August.

Also closed for summer is the local rowing club. Just sit with that thought for a second... The rowing club is closed for summer. Not sure how that ever approaches something close to a good idea. Makes about as much sense as an ashtray on a motorbike.....

So Tony has joined the local gym and will be spending time with Arnold

(named after the pig in the 60s sitcom Greenacres. The parallels work on so many levels) over the next few weeks.

Other than that we have been finding our feet by overindulging in food and wine

and exploring the glorious countryside around Dijon by bike

and, of course, combining these two pleasures

As you could understand, wine is a pretty big thing here, so more on that next week.