#caturday morning visit from the neighbours

Such bizarre weather this afternoon and evening. A massive storm south across the mountains all the way to the Med gets stuck on the edge of town and advances no further. Here, a couple of Kms away it’s blazing sunshine and mid-20s temperatures.

Over the col and through tunnels to Italy on the first coffee run of this year 🇮🇹

“So you lift weights. Should they be heavier?” All things in moderation, I say

Lots of these old Citroën Traction Avants on the normally quiet valley road yesterday. Presumably all the cols are now open for the rally routes to the south coast.

Warm afternoon

Hilly ride today. The new gravel bike is a revelation, so many previously unknown routes are now accessible.

Diligently on sentry duty in case of a swooping attack by the sparrows.

We saw Adam Yates out training today near Montgenevre, a week after crashing out of the Giro.

Rain

Incoming rain

Bluesky serendipity

It’s that time of year again where a global collective of field recorders stream the dawn chorus and a radio broadcast follows the wave round the world. Currently in New Zealand. soundtent.org/reveil/#/

Lots of day-trip visitors from Italy here today, but I took a little known passage way stair down into the moat — it’s a haven of tranquility and sheltered from the stiff afternoon breeze blowing down the valley.

Watching the Boat Race, my old ‘hood between Putney and Chiswick, and find the French commentary much more lively and passionate than the old BBC’s.

Looking towards Vallouise-Pelvoux.

I went high today exploring forest trails in the remote Fournel valley. My side of the valley was nice and warm, with only a few icy parts but the north-facing slopes opposite looked chilly.

Spring blossom in the forest

First pair of swifts spotted circling and swooping between the houses.

Winter and spring in one view

Forest ride slightly interrupted by avalanche crossings.

There’s are proper one of these in town near the railway station — bar, cafe, tabac and betting shop all in one, plus lodgings upstairs for seasonal workers.

He loves his little watchtower, out of reach of big dogs.

Post your favorite film from the year you turned 18

I have managed to get the projector working!

The col du Galibier road (thzt thin diagonal line across the distant slope) won’t be open for another couple of months.

It may be a while before spring arrives here.

Despite appearances it was low 20° until i reached the col and was riding into a chilling headwind blowing over the top.

Today was a bike ride to the big mountains at Col du Lauteret.

I guess I’ll be delaying planting the geraniums this year

Time to get up.

Morning moon

Let’s see how far i can get today in the Mediterranean sunshine.

Someone sent me this.

In-text plate (colophon) from Poésie de mots inconnus https://botfrens.com/collections/111/contents/1142273

Winter’s not quite done 🥶

Today's mission accomplished. A day trip to Gap to pick up my new 10-year carte de sejour, then to the garden centres there for spring plants and pots.

I see from TV coverage that RN's Jordan Bardella is actually a leftie. Left-handed, that is.

Happy fat #Caturday from the the restaurant’s resident.

Over the past two weeks I’ve occasionally thought about that $400 million plane Doha gifted Trump, and what the Qataris must be thinking now.

About time to get the fire going

Looks like the contest for the next sport coat & jeans clad town official is imminent.

Huskies!

Sometimes the snow is almost waist deep but the snowshoes only sink 20-20cm. When off an obvious pathway it feel a bit like swimming in derp water.

Following a mostly hidden river Durance down from Montgenevre

Snowshoeing weather!

Full colour photo

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