VI NATIONS - THIRD WEEK-END

This week-end, it was a tale of two poor matches and one good one. It's becoming exasperatingly repetitive but, once again, Italy could have won their match. Against Wales, Mirco, who is becoming more and more of a hothead, lost his mojo and missed a lot of kicks (11 points of them to be exact). On a much brighter note, England and France were pretty evenly matched in the first half, each trading catch-up penalties, however, the first few minutes of the second half was when the tide began to turn and from then on, you felt that England were never really in much danger. Some lucky sausage was there enjoying it live, absorbing the atmosphere and under strict instructions to take photos! I think the excitement got the better of that last one!

VEGAN?

© amazon

I have recently made a rare and fascinating discovery - A FRENCH RECIPE BOOK FOR VEGANS! This may seem like a total contradiction, even a heresy for the French, and certainly seeing the words vegan cassoulet together makes you blink twice but the recipes I've tried are actually really tasty, I admit even I was surprised! Vive la gastronomie (sans animaux)!

GOOD VIBRATIONS

A beautiful spring day and look what I found in my garden!

GLASGOW BOYS

© ngs

In case you think I spend all my time studying or watching rugby, here's proof that I can, and do, do other things: I recently went to the Glasgow Boys exhibition at the Royal Academy - whoever would have thought that cabbages could be so interesting? Certainly not me and yet, there was so much to admire in this exhibition, fascinating landscapes, characterful faces, amazing wildlife, even a pattern for a future dress?

VALENTINE'S!

VI NATIONS - SECOND WEEK-END

Sometimes, it is VERY dispiriting to support Italy at rugby. After their last week's, even their last year's, performance, I thought it might be a close-run thing against England. I certainly didn't expect the thumping they got: eight tries and a final score of 59-13; consequently, they spent a lot of time standing behind the posts (see below). Even Mirco-flag made not one jot of difference and I'm beginning to think a change of tactic (one of total indifference) is called for. Anyway, the good thing from the week-end is that all the teams I wanted to won, which means that the England-France bête noire game in two weeks' time will be even bigger than usual, maybe even the Grand Slam decider. Nailbiting stuff!

VI NATIONS - FIRST WEEK-END

© rbs6nations

VI Nations alert! It is here! You have been warned! You may want to return here after 19th March! With this caveat out of the way, I can tell you that it has been a great start to the Tournament. But for a drop goal, it was very nearly a stupendous, mind-blowing, brilliant start. England, although not awesome, won very well in Wales 26-19 and France, also not awesome, won quite well against Scotland 34-21. There was something of the air of inevitability as Ireland limped to their 13-11 win against Italy but I feel it's only a matter of time before Italy win against them. Maybe even next year. Meantime, my players to watch are: Mirco (naturellement), Richie Gray (all 6'10" of him) and Maxime 'lambchops' Medard. Roll on next week!

NEW MONTH

Well, what to say about January, except that it passed by mostly in a blur of revision and exams? To be honest, I am still slightly traumatised at the memory of being instructed in my practical exam to palpate the (obviously imaginary) ovaries on a man. But February is here and already with it promises of better things: the days are getting longer, the plants are coming back to life, it's Mirco's birthday this month and the VI Nations begins! My ticket to the England-Italy match is already in my hand and Mirco flag is at the ready! In the meantime, more Parisian hugs ;p