Week 16: 25 Sep-1 Oct; Volleyball, Food, Ikea & My Birthday!

Something quite amazing happened this week: I went to volleyball training! I'd got chatting to Karen at Emma's baby shower last week and she told me that she had contacted a volleyball team to see if they were looking for new players. Turns out, they were, and invited her along. So she invited me and Paris. Karen hadn't played before and just wanted to give it a go so I thought, "well at least I've played a little". It wasn't lost on me, however, that recreational volleyball in France could well have been quite a different standard to recreational volleyball in Scotland! But, I went. And it was bloody marvellous! Apart from the fact that in my excitement, I tried to play like I was pre-baby, 26, and fit. So I pulled a muscle in my jacksie! It was great though, even though I couldn't speak the language. I definitely plan to keep going so watch this space for more volleyball updates. 

It's been great getting out on the bike and enjoying a different pace of life in Pau. Here I am in the main square, Place Clemenceau, enjoying the famous french aperitif ...

Now that I'm getting into the swing of our house, I'm also getting back into a bit of proper cooking again. This week involved some slow roasted ribs, finished on the BBQ, with homemade avocado salad. I also did a banana loaf but I'm not impressed with this patisserie flour mix. It just didn't rise. More experimenting required.

In William news, he's absolute crack-up. Still, we resist the inaugural haircut. I took him to IKEA again this week as we needed to get some house things for the arrival the inlaws next week and Heather and the girls in a few weeks. I got a metal unit for our room so that my hairdryer etc finally have a place to live and lots of bedding for the sleep-out. William was so good, enjoying playing in all the rooms up stairs and hilariously climbing out of the trolley downstairs when he spotted a perfect (private) spot for the toilet.

To top off the week, I also celebrated turning 38. There's definitely something right about my birthday being in autumn. Its just how its meant to be. Cheers.

LM :)