Don't call me Scarface!

Don't call me Scarface.

Introducing Tigra. A stray cat which has managed to worm its way into our boat for food and shelter.

Truffle temptations

We visited Beaune market on Saturday and planned to do a little Christmas shopping. The boys were bemused by a particular stall which seemed to be selling gnarly brown lumps of dirt for lots of money. Their entrepreneurial spirit took hold and they were keen to set up a stall of their own with some clods of earth taken from a flower pot. Easy money.

I had to explain to them that these ugly lumps were highly sought after gourmet items called "truffles".

They were selling at 490 Euros per kilo. Bargain considering I have heard that Black Truffle currently sells at 1250 Euros per kilo and the White Truffle at 5800 Euros per kilo.

We didn't buy any.

What's in a name? Baaaaaa!

In the parents' language class there is a wonderful and varied selection of names : Lavinia, Palma, Afize, Nazli, Abdullah, Madgboule, Bathir, Zahira and Siobhan. Unfortunately it is the last name, and my name, which is proving to be the most difficult for the class to pronounce. So I have given them my nickname - Shiv.
Shiv has slowly morphed into "chev" which, with a French accent, is rather close to "chevre" and happens to be French for "goat". I don't mind. I'm just not looking forward to the lesson when they actually learn that word and the looks that they will give me once the penny drops!