The secret to winning Petanque!

Thats right we are back in Aix and back to school. We are learning more french, actually in my case I am learning the same french over again. Yoly of course is speeding off into the distance learning about advanced usages of the language. While I might understand what the train conductor in upset about, Yoly will be able to able to explain our interpretation of the rail pass contract. She should at least be able to talk her way out of a fine, I think these french lessons are money in the bank!

I was still shaken from the last time I played against Yolanda. As you recall the men's team was resting on the laurels of winning the first Partie of Petanque and were well ahead in our match with Yolanda's team when she started to play her game and trounced us. Well this time around I was paired with a super competitive Australian lady. We handily beat the first team to come our way and I was quite confident of the outcome of our Championship Partie against Yolanda's team. Once again my team and I were trounced. 

The secret to winning Petanque? Three things, first and foremost you need to be close to the ground, Yoly had us all beat. Second you need to get control of the Cochonnet, Yoly' team started with the 

cochonette (the small jack ball that serves as a taget). Once Yoly has the cochonette all she has to do is use her advantage of being close to the ground to play the cochonette into the parts of the Pétanque terrain where she can see the lay of the terrain. Since we are taller and can't see the nuances of the piste we have no idea why our balls do the things they do. Third, short arms improve the accuracy and consistency of the throw. So to summarise, be short, have short arms, and use your head. I think it is the use of her last strategy, where the rest of us are too far behind.

Oh!, The little fine print! 

I guess this day had to come. I promise myself a pair of sexier glasses for when I get back home.

We tasted the traditional and most delicious Gallette du Roi with tea and had a great visit with the owners of our previous appartment.

Have you ever seen a cooking competition on TV? Al and I took a cooking class in 30 minutes and I have a feeling that included eating it. We prepared a Thai Style Prawns with noodles. We were shown how to cut the snow peas, pumpkin, radishes, mushrooms, clean and undress the prawns, grate the fresh ginger, squiz the lime, chop the cilantro and finally sauté the prawns and add it all together adding  soya sause and agridulce salsa verde.

This is what suppose to look like. 

This is Al's creation. We both had a awesome time at this workshop along with other fellow students. But the best was yet to come.

We did a great job following directions and preparing our quick lunch.

L'atelier des Chefs is a great place to learn and broad your cooking skills. They offer regional, traditional, and international cooking classes including the art of pastries. There are classes that take 30 minutes to 4 hours.

Some of my dreams have come true, during our 30 minute school recess we go to the outdoor markets for fresh and local produce.

Sorry, I could'd help pointing at my winning ball. My team partner also agrees.

Al's desperate strategy is to knock some of my balls away from the cochonnet.

We used a purse strap to accurately measure the distance of the balls. 

Oh, oh! Looks like i've done it again. Yoly's team wins! 13 to 6

Well, at the end it's just a fun game. Shake hand and move on. Until the next time.

Cool brass sink.

Plaza of the Four Dolphins

One of these days, we are going to follow the Paul Cezanne Route here in town.