Six Semaines Ici
We've hit the six-week mark here in Biarritz, and it's crazy how fast time is going now. Nearly four months since we left California for this adventure, and we've explored, but there's still a whole lot more to discover and learn. Here are some recent accomplishments, funny stories, and eyebrow-raising moments:
First off, I am now a fish-filleting ninja. Filleting a fish marks another transition to independence – no more relying on Gabe for this task. Additionally, I've finally mustered up the confidence to drive alone, even if it involves parking. It's a step forward for me, but here's to hoping I can pull it off without leaving any accidental scratches on our car. Eek!
We had a breakthrough at Lobita (our morning coffee stop). The other morning, one of the girls struck up a conversation with us. We shared our reasons for being in Biarritz, exchanged stories, and introduced ourselves, learning each other's names. In the midst of our conversation, there was a moment when I needed a quick clarification from Gabe about a particular aspect of the discussion that had me stumped. It was at this point that one of the girls in the group said, "Oh, you speak English. You should have mentioned it; I tend to speak French rather rapidly." In response, I politely emphasized my commitment to learning and practicing the French language. Then they were trying to tell me about the differences of some words in French. For instance, "poche" or "sac" for "bag" in French. It was like a showdown with one girl saying sac and another declaring it's poche, all depending on where you come from. I just sat there, snickering into my coffee. Then came the term "chocolatine" and not "pain au chocolat." Laurent, the dude who runs Belza surf shop, looked at us laughing and said, "It's poche and chocolatine. That's it." Okay, je vais acheter une chocolatine et la mettre dans ma poche!
Sheila, Gabe, and I made our way to Hossegor/Capbreton. We were excited to show Sheila around our summer “home” and eat at Monsieur Mouette. Here I had the "La Tartine Fiasco." I ordered what I saw on the menu: "La Tartine." However, when the food arrived, they served me a croque with jambon. I said, "Désolé mais j'ai commandé La Tartine." Annoyed, the server snatched the plate and disappeared. Time crawled, and they brought out another dish. But no, it still wasn't what I ordered; this time, it was a hummus platter. Gabe was like, "They've already botched it twice, don't risk it." So, I ended up with hummus for lunch, instead of the rillette de poisson. Sheila and Gabe's meals were 'meh' as well. I don’t think we will be back to eat there again. That being said, I have to admit, I might need to work on my French accent – because that could explain why I ended up with something other than what I ordered. 😂
Friday brought a shift in weather. It was our first taste of wild, blustery, rainy conditions. The wind was so strong to the point where Luke had to call us from the roundabout at the top of our street because he couldn't make it back home. The gusts were so strong they could've whisked away his bike, or maybe even him! Gabe rushed up to help him and even managed to capture a video of Luke trying to cross the street. He clung to a signpost, gathered his courage, then dashed across the street to grab onto another one. A few people on the street were nearly leaning sideways because of the sheer strength of the wind. Luke got drenched, but his grin stretched from ear to ear – pure adrenaline. As if the wind wasn’t enough, the waves were BIG. Some claim they hit 7 meters (25 feet) – I can't vouch for the exact height, but they were undeniably massive.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month in France
We're on our first two-week school break, although it's bittersweet as this also marks Sheila's final week with us. To kick off the vacation, we were invited by Trish Taylor to her home in Oloron-Sainte-Marie, a town nestled at the crossroads of the Aspe and Ossau valleys in Béarn. Trish went all out, treating us to a spread that felt like Christmas: pâté, a cheese platter, tomato salad, smoked salmon, mâche salad, accompanied by wine and a cozy wood-burning fire. As Trish put it, "Easy Peasy." We shared not only good food but also wonderful stories. Our arrival at night was just the beginning. The morning revealed a breathtaking view of the Pyrenees. Some of the peaks sported snow-capped summits, while cows roamed the lush, rolling foothills. The mountain range seemed to stretch endlessly in both directions. Before Trish left for her home in Salies de Béarn (about a 45-minute drive away), she laid out another breakfast feast. We spent the morning engrossed in our books, the afternoon exploring Oloron's centre ville, and later, we found a charming French restaurant for dinner. It was the kind of restful countryside getaway we needed.
The following day, Trish invited us to her home in Salies de Béarn, where she treated us to a delicious lunch. What a blast! Salies is a pretty little village that we're looking forward to revisiting in the spring, especially to indulge in the thermal baths. We made it back to Biarritz just in time for Luke's Sauvetage Coutier (ocean safety) – talk about perfect timing!
October 23, our hearts are full of sadness. We learned that Scout was struck by a car. The weight of devastation hangs heavy upon us. In the week leading up to this unfortunate incident, Jenn had to rush him to the emergency vet due to an extended seizure. The vet prescribed medication, but Scout's behavior had taken a peculiar turn ever since. Travis noted that he just wasn't quite himself and started acting oddly. They were even keeping the driveway gate closed to ensure his safety. However, today, Scout darted through a gap in the gate with such swiftness that he ran into the back tires of a moving car. Angie bore witness to this event, and one can only imagine the anguish she must have felt.
I feel so bad for the Nolans as they deal with this tragedy, a pain we all share. Scout was cherished by everyone, and his absence will be felt. Charlie, in particular, has been hit hard by this loss, as Scout was not only his first dog but a constant presence throughout his life. Scout, you were the best, and your absence leaves a void in our hearts.
Heading back home will be an undeniably strange experience without Scout, our beloved welcome wagon.
