Je suis en France evidemment!

Let me say at the outset, I love France.  It is one of my favourite countries to visit - I love the variety in culture, architecture, geography, food and wine that the various regions offer.  However, one cannot ignore the quirkiness of this country when you are here, particular its tendency to strike, to hold protests, to ignore rules, and to do just what suits them at times.  That happened today.

The view from my table
at the Good Mood Café


Okay, so I went to the creperie a couple of doors down from my flat to order what I thought would not be “exceptionelle” - a crepe!  Well, the crepe machine at the Good Mood Café is apparently broken and, because it is the end of the season, it isn't going to be replaced.  That didn't exactly put me in a good mood!  I ordered an omelette instead.  It came with chips (yes, the Nalley's kind not frites) and a huge salad, neither of which I wanted.  To be clear, I didn't want the cheese omelette either!  At least the rose wine I had was lovely and a very good price.  Jokingly, the waiter told me I couldn't leave until I had finished all my meal.  He relented on that when I ordered a second glass of wine.  It was quite lovely sitting by the Med watching the boats in the bay and the people walking by.  The bonus:  the waiter was fun!

Next, I walked to the Casino which is the local grocery store and this one is located nearby in the village not up on the main road.  So, I could avoid walking up the steep hill.  However, it was closed - for “un jour exceptionel” - I asked at another store about that and was told the owner just decided he wanted to close today.  Really!!!  So then I went to the bus stop to catch the little bus up the hill but guess what - it was running on time so I missed it by 1 minute!  It would be easy to think I was paranoid.  Oh, just heard on the radio that there is going to be a train strike starting tomorrow morning for 24 hours!  What is wrong with this blessed country!  Everyone seems to do what they want when they want!  So, I went back to the apartment.  There were a few more yachts in the bay than yesterday and lots of people on the beach taking advantage of the sun. 

View of the yachts from my balcony - these are "serious" ones!

View of the beach and the people on it.  Still nice weather in le Sud.  Yippee!

However, in spite of the frustration, sitting by the sea sipping rose wine could not have been better - except that I’d wanted to have it with a crepe au citron not a cheese omelette!  So, my next big decision is whether to take a later bus up the hill to buy some wine and groceries or just go out for dinner and do all that in the morning.  The former is obviously more cost efficient but the latter is way easier!  Oh dear!  What to do?