NewsletterJune 2007

Family Outing

This is a photo I took during a recent trip to my wife’s family farm in Burgundy. One of the farm’s pigs gave birth to 9 piglets. The piglets took their first walk the day we arrived!
More photos can be seen here.

Up Coming French Events:

Fête de la musique June 21st 2007 - Yearly music festival that takes place throughout France, when I say throughout I mean throughout. Just about every city, town and village will have some type of concert. For more information see About Fête de la Musique.

Discovering the French Alps

I’ve never been much of a mountain man. I grew up in Los Angeles and spent most of my life at sea level. But when you live next to the French Alps what’s a city boy to do? Not only have I done a number of hikes and ‘climbed’ a mountain. I’ve taken many photos along the way.

Over the year and a half we’ve lived near the French Alps we reached the top of the Mole at 1,863 meters or 6,112 feet. The numbers make it seem higher than it really is. We didn’t start at sea level but at around 1,300 meters or 4,265 feet. But it was a long hike and took us over three hours to reach the top. The we includes: my son who was 5 at the time and my wife.

One of the nicer hikes we went on during our first year in the Alps was to Lac Benit (Lake Benit). The lake sits at the foot of the Bargy Mountain Chain and is at about 1,452 meters – 4,763 feet. It took about two hours to get to Lac Benit. The trail itself was not that nice, mostly dirt road and open pastures that double as ski slopes in the winter. But once we arrived at the lake it was beautiful! The mountainside the lake is up against is flat and has eyes that look at you. The lake is surrounded in parts by trees and is very relaxing if not somewhat cold! You can see photos I took during our hike.

A few weeks ago we hiked on the other side of the Bargy Mountain Chain near the Col de la Colombière (Colombière pass). Our goal was to reach Lac de Peyre (Peyre Lake). But because of the cold weather, there was still snow in some places; we never made it to the lake. We would like to go back in the summer. But our hike was not a total waste. The hike offered a wonderful view of the Alps and we were able to see many bouquetins - wild goats.

More recently we hiked near the village of Thuy along a circuit des cascades – a waterfall trail. The hike isn’t long about two hours in total. Seeing the many waterfalls and views of the local mountains makes the hike worthwhile. See the photos I took here.

Expat Support Revisited

In last month’s newsletter, I mentioned Sarah Dixon's expat support in Avignon. Sarah handles cultural and other like issues. If you need help dealing with administrative or other more concrete matters, Finn Skovgaard, also in Avignon, will complement Sarah's services. Examples: car import and registration, translations (English, French, Danish), phone and Internet connection, renting or buying an apartment or house, insurance and tax. For more information please see - Skovgaard Europe: Expat & Relocation Services France. Finn is the Weekly Telegraph's mentor for France.

When Finn is not helping expats, he may be driving small groups of tourists or business travelers from the airport (Marseille, Nîmes, Avignon) to their hotel or taking them on excursions in Provence. Finn is licensed and insured. For more information please see - Skovgaard Europe: Minibus Limousine Transportation in Provence, France.

This month’s Newsletter is brought to you by:

Photo/Writing Workshops

Explore your Creativity in the Heart of Provence
Live for a glorious week in a 16th Century chateau, write and take photos under the guidance of international artists. Enjoy fabulous meals, fetes, excursions, meet interesting people.
Journaling: June 16-22
Photo Workshop and Personal Writing: June 30-July 7
Photo Workshop and Women's Spiritual Writing: July 14-21
Fall Sessions and Creative Retreats. Group Discounts.
Booking now for the summer!

Heart of Provence Workshops: Writing and Photography Workshops in France

8 DAY WORKSHOP in French Conversation

For adults in Biarritz, SW France.
Includes lodging in a central hotel overlooking the Atlantic ocean, half board (breakfast and dinner), daily classes, discussions with other teachers/city officials, local visits, private tutoring.
All in French - Single accommodation: $1,275.00 / Double-occupancy: $975.00.
Side trips available: Typical Basque villages, Lourdes, Bilbao Guggenheim museum (Spain), etc.
OCT. 13 - 20, 2007: Intermediate
OCT. 27 - NOV. 3, 2007: Advanced
Immediate reservation for a small group only.
Contact:
(707)644-3421

Follow @jeffsteiner