A Postcard from Antony - do they exist?!

So Antony's Christmas lights are up and I must admit, they look poor. Though the Champs Elysees - "Greatest Street in the World" - also have theirs up and, while I haven't been in to see them, I imagine they're of another level. This snow is not going anywhere, in fact it might be turning to ice as the temperature is really falling. I have a kicking session this afternoon and then possibly up to Colombes for training with the team. Though a text from my coach would suggest otherwise, if I've got it right...

I saw my crazy South African friend the other day on the bus, which is of course the only place I do see her. Thankfully she didn't see me, the advantages of wearing two scarves and a hat. For those of you who aren't aware of this lady's existence, we met at a bus stop, she recognised my foreign-ness simply from watching me give up my seat to an old lady (manners). She then made full use of the opportunity to speak English as she launched herself into a tirade against the French. She's been living here 15 years, married to a frenchman. She lambasted the French press for their portrayal of Africa when Paris' northern slums are just as bad. After she calmed down, she began trying to weasel an invitation to meet Francois Steyn, who she appears to have a deep passion for. I said she should hang around outside the training ground... So I am now extra vigilant when taking the bus, who knows when she'll pop up and ask me round to tea, or to borrow some english books.

The French are obsessed with Handball... To me, this was a fun part of the PE curriculum aged 13 but the French take it very seriously, advertising the national team like they're taking on the world. The US Metro handball players come into the gym in the evenings and work on strengthening their throwing arm. Maybe by the time the year is out I can attend a Handball match. I know what you're thinking, I shouldn't be talking about bigging up obscure sports, I'm the guy who stays up late listening to cricket on the radio...

Just as I come to the end of my time at the Alliance Francaise, I have discovered another wonderful boulangerie just round the corner. I've been very happy with my normal one, where I have become such a regular that they start putting my 'ficelles avec lardons et fromage' in a bag as soon as I walk in. However, recently i've become frustrated with the way i come across unpleasant bits of other flavours of ficelles as I bite into them, a product of cooking them side-by-side and I've had enough of the not knowing what i'm going to sink my teeth into. So I can heartily recommend the wee boulangerie just round the corner from Rue de Vaugirard, next to Metro St Placide, just past the Fromagerie and the Chinoiserie.

And finally, the Clermont Auvergne match has been re-arranged for next Sunday which is fantastic news.