Media Blackout - ENDED!

Bonjour tout le monde!

Wow it's been so long since my last post, I don't know where to begin...

Our tour started in Voiron 10-days ago and I have not had any decent internet connections to do my daily posts - nor did I have the luxury of time to figure out a solution.

For that I offer my sincere apologies and plan to give you some samples of what a magnificent experience I have just had. Amazing really.

The first five days were a blur.

Operating on an average of four hours sleep, we've been hosting a fabulous bunch of New Zealanders and have had a brilliant time. We've experienced a diversity of culture, scenery and culinary delights - not to mention the excitement that is Le Tour de France.

We then spent four nights in Lourdes where I was certain I'd have time to catch up on my blog, but alas - the internet was worse than ever (and no miracle manifested despite pleading with the universe). Yesterday we did a super-long transfer to Bordeaux via Saint Emilion, which you might remember is were I had the moules mariniere during our 'rekky'.

I am now in my hotel room, catching up on what I call 'administration'. At 4:45pm this afternoon we board a TGV train bound for Paris, where Le Tour concludes tomorrow - and ours the day after. I have to say, I'm a bit sad about that.

I'll leave you with this link that features your's truly being interviewed for a national Belgian sports programme called SPORZA. We were exploring Chateau de Foix in the south of France when I was asked whether I'd mind answering a few questions. Well, you know me and my fondness for cameras and microphones - how could I say no.

Untill tomorrow, may you find it in your heart to forgive my absence.

Grace xx

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Coffee Break French

Yesterday I was in the thermal spa town of Bagnères-de-Luchon, nestled in the stunning Pyrenees (pictured right).

After the waiter delivered my café au lait, I made an in joke with my husband about us taking a 'coffee break French'.

Coffee Break French is a free podcast that we'd been listening to daily leading up to our trip. Hosted by a Scottish duo, we were certain we'd learned to speak French with a Aussie-Scottish accent that made us impossible to understand.

We also concurred that it was easier to practice French in the privacy of our own home, than what it was to the native speakers of France... or members of the French Conversation in Melbourne Group for that matter. I had strategically joined said group prior to my trip but never managed to attend a meetup (tut tut tut).

I was so ashamed of my minuscule vocabulary and poor grammar that I thought I needed to learn more before inflicting myself onto others. When I first arrived here, I avoided speaking French at all costs (despite having spent $500 at Melbourne's Lyceum Language Centre earlier this year). At first I would flush bright red and utter "je parle un petit peu de francais" before attempting to get to the point.

Oh how silly. How vain.

Fast forward a month and I'm happy to report that I'm well chuffed with how my French is coming along. This has become especially evident when communicating with those who speak not a word of anglais. Now I dive in head first, faux pas' and all!

I realised how cute it is when someone is learning English. The difficult-to-comprehend accent and all the little nuances that get lost in translation, just makes it endearing. So if people with petit peu English are endearing to me, then perhaps I might be endearing to the French?

One can hope.

I've had nothing but great fun doing my very best (which might sound like your very worst) in speaking the local lingo. In almost all cases, everybody loves to see me try - and they give me space to do so before rescuing me with English, or sign language.

Until tomorrow, if you're avoiding doing something new because you're not perfect - give yourself a break... a coffee break French even.

Grace xx

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MicMacs

What started as a simple ride in today's perfect autumn weather to have coffee and practice French with a fellow Francophile, turned into an all day affair that culminated in a French film called MicMacs.

Directed by Jean-Piere Jeunet (Delicatessen, City of Lost Children, Amélie), this is a must see for anyone who loves quirky French cinema.

I LOVED IT!

It was beautifully shot, the music was deliciously French and by the end, I was holding my stomach laughing at the total absurdity of it all.

Just my cup of tea.

One of my favourite characters is the contortionist (pictured top right), who reminded me just how good it is to be flexible.

Until tomorrow, turn a simple activity into an all day adventure.

Grace xx

Pseudo foods

Isn't it funny how we still want to consume what we love minus the things that make them considered 'bad', thus rendering them unlovable... and yet we go ahead and order them anyway.

Skinny soy decaf latte with sweetener translates into something like 'I love coffee, but know I shouldn't have caffeine, dairy, fat or sugar... so I'll render it to something of it's former self in an attempt to satisfy my palate whilst playing by the rules'.

Why do we do this?

It's NOTHING like what we love, and yet we're prepared to settle for it.

Why not opt for moderation and have a small amount of what we love with all its deliciousness and naughtiness?

Perhaps it's the moderation part that stumps me... maybe I don't know what moderation is with 'illicit' foods. Perhaps saying I can have a little is like a 'get out of jail free card' and I treat is as an 'all you can eat' allowance because tomorrow I'm going back to being 'good'.

Why oh why oh why do we torture ourselves?

I'm hoping my upcoming sojourn to France will reveal how they manage to balance cheese, patisseries, coffee and wine into their svelte stylish selves.

Until tomorrow, may you enjoy cream with your coffee minus the guilt.

Grace xx

Fringe benefits

Not sure if you know, but I'm studying French at the moment. I'm off to France in July to host a tour of non-riding New Zealanders at the one and only Le Tour de France - I'm so excited!

I've been watching French films, practising French phrases and researching French properties for sale. I'm hooked.

This brings me to my hairstyle.

I love bobs (hairstyles, not breasts - read it again). My mum was a hairdresser and I had a keen eye for stylish do's and in her era of beehives and French rolls, the bob really did rock.

I've had bobs at various stages throughout my life and I have to say, I'm always happier when I'm donning one. They're short enough to be practical and long enough to feel feminine. Perfectly me.

I went one step further with my latest 'do and had a very short fringe cut (well, actually, I cut my own fringe... then had the hairdresser tidy it up). People have commented saying it takes courage, it was a gutsy move, they wish they could do that to their hair and so on. But truly, what's the big deal? It's only hair - it'll grow back!

Then it got me thinking...

Maybe I am a lot braver than I think I am. My decision to have a bob with a short fringe was primarily a practical one; less hair equals less products, reduced washing and drying time and no-frills maintenance. Too easy. But yet for some, the benefits do not outweigh the risks.

If you (or your partner) have been held back by fear when it comes to your ideal hairdo - take it from me, the risks are worth taking. If it all goes pear-shaped, so what? It will grow back (BTW when I lived in London, mine went mushroom-shaped and I became known as Champignon, which I think is kind of cute... and French). Worse case scenario - get a wig!

By being 'brave', I've got a practical, easy to manage hairdo that I love... and the fact that it looks très chic is a bonus... one might say, is a fringe benefit. I know, I know.... I know.

Until tomorrow,

Grace :-)

ps. I want to acknowledge two amazing and SUPER-brave women who did The World's Greatest Shave this year - Marilyn who dyed her hair green and Nikki who did a 'Sinead O'Connor' and lopped off all her dreads to go completely bald - you girls are amazing!