I’ve been busy this week. Busy with fun! I watched a pétanque tournament, went to a rugby match and spent an afternoon at the beach. It felt good to have no tasks or goals and to step out of my head for a change. The blog this week is mostly just photos – I have a feeling this will become the norm for the next few months. I hope so. Summer is upon us and it’s time for fun!
Petanque
Last weekend, Pézenas hosted a pétanque (also known as boules) tournament with hundreds of teams participating. Apparently there were women’s teams but I didn’t see them so the photos are only of the men who were playing. I still need to learn the rules, but I admired the players’ form and loved the slow and thoughtful nature of the game.
Rugby
My experience as a spectator of sport can be summed as follows: The 1980 World Series (on tv), the 2008 Rogers Cup semi-finals with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal (in person), and one entire afternoon lying on my sofa watching golf due to shear inertia. Watching sports has just never been my thing, but my life is all about new beginnings and rugby has grabbed my attention.
The match was energetic and fun. And loud! I watched some videos before I went to get a high level understanding of the rules and was quickly swept up in the excitement and on my feet cheering. And we won! The same teams play again this Sunday at an away game. If we win, there will be another game here in a week. Fingers crossed!
As much as I enjoyed watching the match, I loved seeing the involvement of so many children. Next gen ruby players.
Back to the beach!
Forty weeks ago – not long after I arrived – I took the bus to Mèze and sat on the beach. I had been retired for less than 2 months and, with my brain still in commuter mode, marvelled that I could leave home and be sitting on the beach in the same amount of time it took me to get to work. I pictured myself filling a thermos with coffee and catching an early morning bus several times a week to sit in the sand, have a swim and enjoy the view.
Then life got in the way and the heat was oppressive and autumn flew by faster than I expected and it just didn’t happen. This week, a friend invited me to join her for a beach afternoon and it took me back to my desires of last year. As I floated in the water and took in my surroundings, I was stuck again by the fact that I live in the south of France!
I enjoyed spending the afternoon with a friend and look forward to more of the same, but I’ve resurrected my plan to weave early morning trips to the beach into my routine this summer. Sometimes I still can’t believe this is my life.
Song of the week
This week was the 4th anniversary of the passing of Dagny, my little pup. She lived a long and very happy life and brought immense joy to the world around her. This song is for you, sweet pea.
À bientôt .
Beautiful pup. What a smile!
Bonjour Sue!
I love hearing about the community activities you experience, they all seem like so much fun and most importantly, accessible for all to enjoy!
I recognize the playground in Dagny’s photo! What sweet smile 😊
Thanks for sharing your journey. It is inspiring.