I’m back from my final fortnight of holidays before heading back home. When will I next get two weeks of (paid) holidays every six weeks? Not for a while methinks.
Annecy, Passy and Les Frasserands, Haute-Savoie
I spent the first five days with the family and managed to see pretty much the lot of ‘em to say au revoir, on se renverra en australie.
My super teammate Théo starting off another round of pétanque. The gravel driveway at Chantal’s place provided the perfect pitch for the late arvo showdown. Apparently the French are the world champs…funny, that.
Another fondue. Slightly out of season but I didn’t complain. I lost my bread mid-swirl yet managed to avoid its punishment – a round the house nudie run.
Théo and Enzo at Le Lac de Passy. It was refreshing to see the valley toute-verte this time round, as the last few times had been during the blanket white heights of winter.
With Enzo at his football training. He’s as passionate about football as I was about league when I was his age. He’s a Lyon man and knows the measurements, weights and scoring history of everyone in the French national team. Including the manager!
Valérie and I having a chat while watching Enzo.
The last night in Haute-Savoie, in Annecy. Left to right: Cousins Valérie, Enzo, Babou, Bruno, Théo, le cousin australien.
Ireland with Jayse
Started in Belfast, given EasyJet only flew there. We managed to get around a bit but an extra couple of days would have been ideal. Failed in my mission to find someone who could say 'three' without thinking they were talking about horticulture.
We headed north on the coast road, which provided us with a nice scenic drive.
Here’s one of the few shots I managed to get of J-Mar both facing me and without his camera glued to his face.
The next stop for our first pints and lunch was The Anzac Bar in Ballycastle.
Giant’s Causeway. A section of the northern coastline comprised of heaps of mostly hexagonal basalt columns of differing heights that serve as stepping stones for heaps of tourists.
The causeway is most popular tourist attraction in Northern Ireland, apparently. We spent the night in Londonderry - had its fair quota of Vicki Pollards stalking the streets.
Monday was Donegal County day. This is the remote, wild, north-western part of Ireland proper. We eventually reached the cliffs around Slieve League - massive sheer cliffs leading to deep blue bays and secluded caves and inlets below. Was well worth the windy, sheep obstructing, car journey.
A big thing smack bang in the middle of Trinity College, Dublin. We caught a movie, In Bruges, in the cinema on O'Connell Street and hit Temple Bar for a few beers that night.
Final day before the bum rush back to Belfast International – the Silent Valley Reservoir back in the North.
Lunch pit-stop in Annalong. The fish was so good that Jayse went for the chicken burger.
Best meal: La Pierrade @ Collette’s place. In which you cook your own strips of duck, beef and chicken on a table top hot stone contraption.
The weather: Gradually warming up – kinda the same conditions as a typical Brisbane/Coast winter’s day.
On the Pod:
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds – Hold On To Yourself. Jayse’s pick of the litter.
Elliott Smith – Division Day. A piece of the puzzle – maybe.
Custard – Kinder Whore. So they could throw a punch at the heart after all.
Weezer – December. Thanks for your suffering, Rivers - it’s a sweet melody.
Jens Lekman – Shirin. Personally, I prefer ABBA.
Jarvis Cocker – Disney Time. Cheap, cheap, cheap.
à tout de suite!
Above: The Grade 6 students (Year 7/8 in Aus) after the force-fed vegemite-tasting session. Don't tell me they didn't love it!
