Whats been happening..... the days are ticking along, the weather started off really gloomy and so cold for the 1st week, we just rugged up like Michelin men and went out, thanks to Jules & Andy with the use of their vests and range of Jackets we kept dry and warm. Dakota and India are real characters, one wants to be first racing along - the young pup and the other old dame India quite happy to take of the rear, sniffing and finding treasures along the way as we go. We have got into a rhythm with our new found pooches. Dakota likes to watch TV it so funny, I have seen a dog look at TV's when there are animals or something but she really sits and watches whether its a nature programme or a drama its hilarious.

Rod is keeping himself busy by rebuilding a well, this has meant quite a few trips to the builders yard and practicing french and sorting out products to use. He is now 18% fluent according the Duolingo the language learning app that he religiously practices everyday.

We have had a tease of spring with 5 days, it was lovely, flowers were springing up, I got to sit in the sun for an hour reading my book it was lovely.

We ventured to the cinema in Preyret le Chateau to see the film LA LA Land, it was in english with french subtitles, I found myself wanting to read the sub-titles to see if I could get the translation. Can't say it was the best movie I have even seen, it was just light entertainment. I was waiting for the scenes in Cave de la Huchette - the Jazz club in Paris and yes finally there is was.

Our wonderful friends Melanie & Vincent from Bayonne drove 4 hours out of their way to deliver our bikes to us and spend the evening before they flew out to Tenerife for some R&R. They came bearing lots of Basque gifts, honey, pate, chocolate, wine and of course a cake like no other Basque Cake!! - it is sooo good, we have nothing like this is New Zealand. they were in New Zealand exactly one year ago - time flys.

So our spring weather didn't last and the temperatures plummeted and it started raining and the grey skies have been with us for over a week - ho hum grey days and rain, then excitement while out walking Dakota one morning, it was really cold and raining and then it turned to snow, it was magical and so pretty while walking through the forest, the contrast of colours, the green moss, red leaves and white snow flakes, kicked myself I didn't have my camera with me.

So we both have not been feeling the best, sore backs, then my knee, out of control hair making us feel like hill billies. Rod met an Oesto when out walking with India and made us both appointments, he was only 25 minutes away in another village. We visited and he sorted my back & my knee out, he was AMAZING, then more excitement the mobile hairdresser came, yipeee Rod & I got makeovers, we now look 5 years younger, well at least we think we do. Lastly my glasses had broken on the flight from Buenos Aires, think someone stood on them, I managed to get a cheap new pair with quite a bit of effort, a new retro look, they will do the job until I get home.

Better & warmer weather is apparently on the horizon, we really need to get in some km's and get our butts ready for this mammoth cycle challenge we have set ourselves - feeling a bit freaked out!!!