Seams French

Springtime is brilliant with colour on the streets of Montpellier. The first blossoms to appear in February are the blazing yellow flowers of the Mimosa tree. By now, they are long gone, and the yellow has been replaced with a profusion of purple, as the Judas tree displays its splendour.

First order of business on relocation, is always "greening up" our home. In Montpellier that means plants on the terrace, olive oils and olive products from our favourite olive mill, and enjoying the general "green scene" that is everywhere in early spring.

Le Grau-du-Roi on a sunny, warm day in early spring is the perfect spot to sample the local seafood for Sunday lunch. Driving south east of Montpellier, on the secondary roads along the Mediterranean coast, takes you through the "Camargue". The "Camargue" is about 300 square miles of protected marshlands that gives shelter to more then 400 species of birds. Among the favourites are the flamboyant pink flamingos, which display their finery to visitors of the region for most of the year. Le Grau-du-Roi has been an important fishing village in the "Camargue" region since the 16th century, and although there is still a vibrant local fishing industry, the town has, in the 20th century, become a magnet for sun worhippers offering its long expanse of sandy beach. Le Grau is the Occitan word for sand bar and the town lives up to its name. After a lunch of very fresh, local seafood, we followed the locals out for a leisurely stroll down the pier, and enjoyed the...

Having arrived back in Montpellier on Thursday March 17th, St Patrick's Day, we were well rested and in fine walking form by Saturday to head to the weekly market (marche) under the Arceaux. "Les Arceaux" is an 18th century aqueduct built to carry water from a nearby spring to the city. Every Saturday, local farmers and producers set up their stalls under these grand arches and provide the residents of Montpellier with the freshest, most flavourful products available in the region. Although the "hypermarche" has become a popular shopping venue here, it is still very easy to purchase fresh, flavourful local produce on a daily basis. "Asperges" (asparagus) and garriguettes (strawberries) were the main attraction for the shoppers on this particular Saturday, as they are the first regional crops of the spring. The vibrant colours, the enticing aromas and the lively sounds seduce both the seasoned, long time residents as well as the transplanted "et...

After a few days without the steady rains that have been persistant this winter, and with the sun shining, the walking shoes were summoned up from the back of the closet this afternoon. Signs of spring are visible everywhere. A little bit of colour is making it's way through the debris of last autumns fallen leaves and brightening the landscape in the form of irises, daffodils, tulips, etc.

Being a born and bred Prairie girl, my fascination with the close proximity to water that Vancouver offers, still hasn't lost its novelty for me. A recent ferry ride to Victoria on Vancouver Island provided a fantastic view as well as a good time with good friends.

A little cookie "trapunto" on Valentines Day!