Risk Factors

At the end of the school year there is always a little show, no matter where you live.  It is always the same thing for the primary kids.  A little song, maybe a dance and of course, all the parents video taping their child as they stumble through a song. Well  things are almost the same here in France......

We were invited to the Fete de Saint Jean for the primary school year end show in Sauve.  We arrived a half hour late and were still not "late".  We watched the children of the school sing their songs on the outdoor stage and then sat down for dinner and wine and waited for the real show to begin.....after dark

 

Elodie and Carol   telling some tall tale!

Now this is the time that I want to talk about risk factors.  All the parents out there know about the stack of papers you receive each time your child is going to do anything besides pick up a pencil at school.  The risks are all spelled out for you,  things like tripping if they are walking somewhere,  and you sign it to ensure that everyone understand that there is risk involved in life....Oh I mean field trips!

Here they just accept that there is risk and enjoy it.  As we wait for dark the woman beside Carol calls the principal on his cell to tease him about when the fire is going to be lit.  10:30 pm !!! but this year he isn't doing it because he can't stay the whole night, but it is usually him, THE PRINCIPAL.

Garden hose for safety!

Let the fun begin!

The Fete de Saint Jean begins and all the kids start to chatter and the buzz of the crowd starts to get louder and louder

 

 

Jack be nimble Jack be quick Jack jump over the candle stick....Vicki is the first one over!

                                                          Vicki talks Blaire into it.

Terror or Joy ...What do you see on Blaire's face?
Blaire and Vicki

Same Question ....Terror or Joy?
Carol and Elodie


So to all the Canadians out there,  How many risk forms do you think you would get for a year end school party like this?
Loved it!!!!

Thanks to the Cushings for the great night out!

Look Again

It is so easy to forget how beautiful a place is when you have been there a while. I am afraid we are guilty of this crime.

When I said the number of days left out loud it kind of shocked me into reality.... 46 days left.... I need to do all the things I love about france and fast...

Yesterday I went for a run on the coutach, a hill near our house, in the winter it was beautiful because it was stark with all the vines not having leaves. Now it is almost wild with growth...and full of les papillons ( butterflies). So the girls and I took a petite randonnée. The sun was shining, a whopping 33 degrees and les papillons didn't disappoint. Now we are home for some fun in the pool.

I am going to miss this!

I think I found the wicked witch!

Have a look and a laugh... And if you have a minute tell your best rendition of what happened!

Carol's First Ambulance Ride

So we've joined the local climbing club "Escaladonf" and have been out climbing as a family two nights a week. The club is a fantastic place to meet some great people and climb with other families. Another wonderful aspect of life in France that creates community.

 Carol bustin' moves on a corner route.

 Dad starting out on the final climb of the March competition.

Kali "topping out".

So at the last competition, Carol was belaying me when I was bucked off an overhanging climb. Because I had pulled out some rope in preparation to clip into the next bolt, there was alot of slack, so when I fell, there was a long fall (7m) before the rope began to arrest the plunge. Carol was standing underneath me and I managed to knock her over on the way by. Because she heard a snap and was numb on one side, we suspected a spinal injury and called the "Pompiers". They are the local firemen, paramedics, etc and do it all. They were very professional but super-relaxed and very efficient and had Carol stabilized with the latest technology in no time. She was whisked off to the nearby hospital and thoroughly scanned for any damage. After reviewing the results, the Doctor said I wasn't heavy enough to do any damage and that she was fine. A little stiff though.

We were extremely fortunate to have a good friend and nurse, Elodie, there to interpret and keep everything   under control. She made the worrisome situation much more easy to deal with.

The Pompiers

I'm O.K.!

Blaire's Third Mountain Bike Race

 Another uphill start on a gravel fireroad. This was a particularly well-organized event held in an ancient limestone quarry. Blaire is getting better with each race.

The girl in the Background is Blaire's mentor, Vicky, ranked 3rd in France (FSGT). The girl on the left is ranked first in France (FSGT) in Blaire's catagorie.

Here is the start!

On the podium again. How are we going to get all these trophies home?

Illegal activities

Caught in the act: 6-year-old juvenile delinquent buying 10 litres of excellent wine in a French "Cave".

 Just when you thought it couldn't get any better. The wine is even more financially accessible if you bring in your own container. This "wine station" next to the till works exactly like a gas station with each nozzle suppling a different "Grade" of wine with the prices listed on the board above.

It gets worse.

Unpasteurized Brie aged less than 30 days.

 Jail time will result if you are caught selling this substance in Canada.

"Start the car!, start the car!!"

Suspect leaving the scene with a fresh, hot baguette.

Fresh butter croissants and croquise for breakfast. 

The following items should be illegal.

Fresh Macaroons

Chocolate exposition

Macaroons

Chocolate art

Nougat

"Muskrat houses"

Chocolate fountain

Every day I', shufllin!!!! For the other runners out there

A friend said to me " enjoy the training, the race will be over too fast". Thanks for the great advice.... A new way to look at RUNNING.  

 Here are a few photos from my 27 km trail race.

Pretty happy...huh...Haven't started yet.....

Not the biggest run I have ever done but pretty cool to have your neighbors cheer you on!

Can't complain about the view!

It is ok to slow down some times

C'est beau!

Still smiling and almost finished

EVERYDAY I'M SHUFFLIN  .... and I wasn't last...fifth last but not last!
PARTY ROCK IS IN THE HOUSE TONITE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQ6zr6kCPj8
I REALLY HAD THE MOVES DOWN BY THE END...SHUFFLING

Merci Madame Balai!

KEEP ON SHUFFLIN ......and look around.......even stop.....

.THE FINISH ISN'T ALWAYS THE GOAL

MERCI TAGYN ;)