FIN DU MOIS

Occasionally, I look back at what blog and I were up to this time last year and I realise that essentially each March revolves around the same things, namely: VI Nations, springtime (still illicitly gathering seeds), watching films and going to galleries. Curiously, I notice that Mauro was banned last year for naughtiness and had to sit on the sidelines. And that I had been watching Les Témoins (a Christmas present this year). This March, though, I seem to be spending a lot more time writing essays and reading fairly unenjoyable books with symbols like this:

© herbalchem.net

EARTH HOUR

© earthhour

Today is Earth Hour day - when we're supposed to turn off our lights (and presumably our radios and our computers and our televisions .. ) for an hour at 8.00 p.m. in order to try to help the Earth. Go on, it's only for an hour, and there are loads of earth-friendly things you can do without electricity, like: yoga in the dark, moonlight gardening, talking with friends, reading a book by (non-polluting) candlelight ..

SF - TOULOUSE

© cécile

VI Nations over and it's back to business for Stade. On Saturday, they played Toulouse and won with 29 unanswered points!

EASTER

© savagechickens

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Il n'est pas grave d'échouer,
il est plus grave de ne pas avoir essayé.

VI NATIONS - FINAL WEEK-END

© bbc

You may well be forgiven for thinking that it has taken me all this time to recover from last week-end's thrilling finish to the VI Nations. Truth is, blog and I part company sometimes to do our own things but we're back together to chew the cud again. So, what a topsy-turvy tournament it's been this year, where Wales looked like worthy winners of the Grand Slam from the start, blink and England finished second, and best of all, Italy won their match against Scotland! (see above) Some questions arising: why didn't Mirco score a try this year? Does he miss his Mirco flag? Was Marc Lièvremont really using this as a test year? Will David Strettle play more than 10 minutes in an international match again? Who will Ireland's coach be now? Will next year's tournament be more exciting? And will I be able to get tickets to Twickenham?

VI NATIONS - IV

© sixnations

This has to have been the second most boring week-end of the VI Nations so far. The only match I only really got (mildly) excited about was the Ireland-Wales one – two yellow cards for Wales and they still won! But I was glad to see Mirco save the day when he held up Aurelien Rougerie + rugby ball on the tryline – what a boy! Stade apparently gave a really poor showing at home against Perpignan (they lost). Just hope next week-end’s going to be more enthralling.

I ♥ HEART STONES

© josieiselin.com

Many years ago, I found my first heart-shaped stone on a beach. Now, I’ve discovered that I am not the only one with this idle past time and there’s even a little book about them!

KEW

Kew is always a nice place to visit and for a couple of months now there have been various Henry Moore sculptures dotted around the gardens. Against the backdrop of the spring flowers and the sunny blue skies, it’s quite an amazing feeling.

SUSPENSION

© sixnations

So, the news about Mauro is that he has been given a 13-week ban. Which means he will miss the rest of the VI Nations and quite a lot of the TOP14 season. Bad news.

YOGA - III

© yogajournal

These yoga poses don't get any easier ..