Kate

We had to go to the Vet today as Kate has been having a little problem. No need to go into the many repeat mentionings of "ca   ca".... but she is now on 2 meds. We met a whippet who was Italian, named Quentin Tarantino. He and Kate really liked each other. Kate was well behaved.
As a reward, I took her on a trot through town.
Earlier in the week, while I was at the gym, she ripped a hole in my map.
Hard to believe that she is 9 years old...Human years, in her late 40's. She's a cougar.

but today, she was a beauty. Maybe a bit in shock...."where the hell are we?"

Gorge Du Loup

Todays Hike

Today I decided to set off for an ancient Roman Encampment that I found on the hiking map. It is about 20 miles away northwest. It had snowed overnight so I took lower roads to avoid ice. I wasn't quiet sure I could find it, but I did.

It had snowed in this area and there was fog and cloud surrounding villages. You take a side road toward a forest called Jaumes and then kind of wing it. I found a parking area off a one way dirt road through the woods. We parked and started walking through a new olive grove...or, I should say, a renewed olive grove. New shoots growing off old trunks. In the distance were hills and mountains covered in snow. It was a very overcast heavy sky day. The earth was light butterscotch  brown clay color.

We met up with a really nice old man with 2 ski poles. We talked for awhile and it turned out that he was Norwegian. He told me the Roman encampment was about 30 minutes away...It was more like an hour away. We were game. We got onto the right trail and headed out. Along the way there were exercise machines in the middle of the woods. Kind of weird.

 You walk up and up through olive groves, deeps woods, rocky landscapes. I kept the dogs on leash as there are signs that warn of sheep in the area...or goats. We saw many dogs on the back off leash but with goat bells on so you could hear them coming.

When we hiked up, there was no one up there. The view is outstanding. You can see the sea and all of the shore villes from way up here. 

When we got up to the top, everything was dusted with snow. You had an incredible view North of Bar Sur Loup and the Gorge Sur Loup.  You keep walking and you come upon the Roman site. It is in ruins but you can see what a great spot this was. On a clear day you could see any ships coming towards the shore and any Gauls coming from the North.
We made our way through the narrow trails that run all over this site. Kate led the way. I was second, Emile brought up the rear. We were soaked.

This is what I came here for...to go to places like this. I have always loved walking through the country in Europe and always wished to have my dogs with me. I can imagine Marc Antony pacing around in a red cape and Centurion boots in this spot resting before the next siege.

It started snowing so we headed back down. I didn't bring water so ate snow and tried to get the dogs to do the same, but no way for them.

We saw a few people with dogs on the way back down. We saw a dog walker with a bunch of dogs....one being a tiny Papillion . The Papillion was insistent on getting Emile's attention.

He was not afraid in the least. The walker was really far away when at last, this little dog ran, like a squirrel down hill to get back to her. The second dog was really old. When you know a really old dog, you can feel their lightness on the earth. This dog was a sweet senior that you just want to shower with love. Good for her that she is out on a hike on a snowy day with her little friend.

Favorite Shots from Almost Carnival.

All of these shots were with the little Canon. I would not bring my big camera out in the rain. 

Mystery Man

Car in thin space

Wet tables

Pretty Gold Bows

Escape from Nice

I had an inkling that there would be a problem. The road I usually travel to get out and onto the Bord Sur Mer was blocked by police so I was instructed to drive another way which put me right into Nice itself. The old town is wight on the edge, right on the sea, so easy to get in and out of if you know how. This would be the 2nd time that the Mardi Gras threw me a curve. At one point I realized I was driving on a sidewalk and I immediately made for the road. The car crashed over the curb. Luckily, this was in an area in the Port completely empty because no cars could get through that road....yikes...I found a street that looked right and just dove in. I drove and drove. You have to drive on the left side of the one way streets as there is a barrier for the bus to drive on the right. I followed other people. I was pleased to realize that I had easily found my way out and to the other side of Nice past the road blocks. So I get to know Nice a little more each time.

Mobile Sushi

I could always stay in and order Sushi...no thank you.

Carnival Almost too

So I wandered around talking pictures. Nothing too exciting but it is really beautiful in Old Nice. There are many many restaurants to go to. I find it hard to walk in alone even though I would like to.

I walked up to the Square where the Carnival was to be held. It was freezing and windy. People were lining up to buy tickets to get into the closed off area that was all lit in blue. I would have had to wait 3 hours or so before the event started. It was empty inside. I would have waited in a nice warm cozy restaurant with the other people, but they were nowhere to be found.
I don't know why they start everything so late here. I got home around 9.

Carnival, Almost

I had every intention of meeting up with the Meet Up People to go in a group to photograph the last night of Carnival. It had been raining all day and about 36 degrees. I got all bundled up and went into old Nice early. I had found a restaurant that I wanted to go to. I planned on eating first and meeting them at 7. I got into Nice, parked and walked over to the area where the restaurants are and wouldn't you know it, the restaurant was closed...private party.
I will go there eventually, it looks really nice.
So I wandered around and found myself at my old standard place Phil , which was surprisingly open. I ordered socca and wine. I wanted lasagna, but they did not have it. I sat down at a table and what do I hear next to me, American accents. So I struck up a conversation with a really nice couple from Pennsylvania that is living in Rome. The husband is a history teacher and is on a transfer program. They have been taking weekend trips to various locations. They picked a crappy weekend to come to Nice. 2 days of miserable weather.
Anyway we got to talking about Italy and the time went by and suddenly, it was 7:30 and I missed the group.

Socca Under the Heat Lamps

Hell!

Some things I have seen.

I have to comment on how openly affectionate men are here in France. Men seem so much more involved with their children. I see solo men picking  up their children from school, pushing baby carriages , strolling with their children, shopping with their children....and they seem happy to do it.
I saw a man retying  his daughters pig tail in the middle of the supermarket. I see many older men holding their wife's arm as they walk. I saw a man openly hugging and kissing his little dog. I see families, including the father, walking together along the river. I saw an old man yesterday with his arms filled with branches of bright yellow mimosa. It's ok for men to love flowers, animals, children, and each other here. It  feels so different to me than what I am used to with American men.

Also, men are very affectionate with each other. When 2 men meet and greet each other with a kiss to both cheeks, it is not rushed , perfunctory , it is sincere. It seems as though the men in France are not in denial of their feminine side. Perhaps it makes women more able to display their masculine side. Women seems to be truly equal to men here, and in a good positive way.

The gym that I joined is very interesting. It's quiet big with all kinds of activities. They even have spinning that is done in the pool. You and the bike are submerged up to your shoulders. The mens and the women's locker room connect to a big Turkish that is lit with blue light. You wear your bathing suit to go in. I don't think I'm ready for that yet.
 At this club, you can get your hair done and have a tanning session. They also have a big restaurant. Their daily specials are things like Beef Bourguignon  , not the healthiest fare but they seem unconcerned with that part of health. In California they would be serving baby lettuces and wheat grass. When you first walk in to the club there is a circular bar where they serve espresso, wine and  beer. There is a huge video screen over hear with music videos going on all the time.
I like it.

The french don't name their animals ordinary people names. My dog walkers dogs are named Slash, Baloo, Betty Boop, M. L's dog is named Chanel. C's dog is Thangkha and now that I think of it, I think it is the same in Italy. I know a Negroni, a Napoleon , a Diamanté, a Bonnie , a  Clyde, a Petula and a Aenas. They think it is odd to have a dog named Kate, or Emile.


Another thing I have noticed is that there are very few car accidents. The driving is definitely more precarious. There are dangerous rotaries in some places that its hard to believe there are not constant accidents on, but no. Everyone seems to know how to traverse safely. I think that because everyone is driving manual, you are more connected to the car and therefore more aware.
I love driving standard here. It's fun and really feels like driving as opposed to the easy lull of an automatic.

Everyone parked Face Out. 

I mentioned that everyone parks face out. I don't know why this is but it is rampant. Perhaps people are early and want to leave fast. I don't know. I see it especially in parking garages where the spaces are so small. Often in these garages, the floor is squeaky and you can hear echoes of  little cars turning around and backing in.

Also, cleaning is always being done. At the supermarket, a man drives around in a big Zamboni type machine with a long stick to pick up trash. He drives around cleaning the floor even at the most crowded time. He's like a big kid on a toy and you better not get in his way....he is dead serious.
The roads are always being cleaned and worked on. I have seen them use big brooms that look like they are made of rough branches to sweep the streets with.

I am lacking this skill...after a certain part of the day, one switches from bonjour to bonsoir. I miss it every time. I will be at a store buying something , I will say bonjour ...and damned if I am in bonsoir time and I am subtlety corrected. I can't seem to get the hang of switching over. In the US, we just say hello all  24 hours....

Me with the red "Temporary"  Plate parked in. 

New Work