.. and the conclusion of the MTP month: mixed bag of weather, but some high spots!

The weather did improve, and one of the first experiences was a session of bowling organised by Neil - the Australian we had met through Inter Nations. Only five of us were there - and his dog! We went by tram and had a bit of a walk through unknown industrial area! Ruth didn't play (nor did the dog) and Bob won both games, making it worth wearing jeans and shoes! We had a long and interesting chart afterwards and got a lift back to the tram, (Which was nice!!)

Delights of eating in France!

And in another event that is hardly French, we went to try for fish and chips at The Beehive, believing it to be open all day, but it wasn't! But we did go back on a later date, and as a result of the disappointment went down to see what had happened to a third English pub we remembered.  The Robin Hood is now a small brasserie - open all hours and serving Thai/Vietnamese dishes. It merited a Trip Advisor entry and a second visit! Other gastronomic delights included Sunday lunch at the Moroccan place in Port Ariane in  Lattes. We had cycled there - a major outing for Ruth - to find it not only open but happy to serve us at a rather late hour, so we spent several hours there in the sun and left our glasses outside as agreed! Ruth went back on the tram! Next day things didn't seem right, and we later discovered this was a week's holiday for all French schools, so places were a bit packed, but not the swimming pool!

On the Wednesday we met in Carnon - the third nearby resort we like. Ruth went by tram and (very crowded) bus, and Bob cycled. It soon became clear that there was a very strong wind, which had made his ride a struggle, and - having met at the marina where there are dozens of restaurants - we did another post-2.30 job and found ourselves with no prospect of the desired moules, nor indeed anything else warming! Tant pis! We relaxed in a bar after a take-away baguette and the headed back. Ruth's bus was packed - of course - having come from Palavas, and there was a long wait for the tram, then suddenly there was a bell, and Bob appeared having decided enough was enough and would take the bike back on the tram!

The wind had dropped by next day, and it was looking as if the good weather would be with us until departure. We even had another joint bike ride, first to look at some potential rentals for April, and then to explore the Marché du Lez. We have been seeing how crowded the car park here is a s it has been developing from old industrial/commercial buildings beside the river. but we had no idea what it was like. Think Camden Lock -French style! Quirky shops, old vehicles, pop-up street food and trendy restaurants. The food looked great and after looking around and some beer we headed for some, but it was nearly 2.30, so "foiled again"! It is definitely on the list for next time!

The deterioration in weather over the next few days will be described in the next post as part of a soggy return, but worthy of particular note was an exhibition we had toured earlier. In the Spring of 2017 a bizarre coincidence was three activities with the theme of Slavery. This month saw two on the theme of Civil Rights. A major exhibition (and free!) of photographs from the south of USA  in the Sixties was utterly engaging. A matter of days later we were at Utopia to see BlackKlansman:- semi-biographical and with so many resonances. add to that the current state of USA and it is another trio!