My Fat Rabbit?
David Smith | Wednesday 29th March, 2006
David Smith |   |
Apologies for the bizarre title but please bare with me as this is a slightly amusing anecdote...at my expense that is! I failed to mention in my first update from France that since arriving I have been staying with the club secretary, Christiane and her husband Daniel both retired as of four years. They have both been very welcoming and are two of the kindest people I have met in my time as a bike rider, sometimes too kind....
As of next Tuesday I should have my own appartement, we have already moved most of the neccessaries, bed, fridge, sofa etc. and am just awaiting the electricity to be connected! And not before time because to be frank I have nearly forgotten how to do anything for myself! I have yet to prepare myself a single meal, turn on a washing machine, iron anything, wash any dishes, in fact I haven't done anything domestically related whatsoever. I have often asked Christiane if she'd like me to cook a meal or do my laundry myself and she looks at me as if I'm ill! As for Daniel, I don't think he can quite believe what he's hearing, in 40years of marriage I get the impression he hasn't done too much housework!
Anyway, now for the rabbit connection. After a few weeks of this regal treatment I was beginning to understand why most French men don't leave home till they're at least thirty, it's scary how quick you get used to it. Needless to say I was beginning to feel somewhat like an adopted son and the following episode only confirmed my suspicions. The director sportif came to pick me up a the other weekend and to make matters worse my team mates Ludo and Damien were in the car already. As she was waving me goodbye Christiane said,
'adieu mon gros lapin,' translated 'farewell my fat rabbit'
Instantly I had images of me at forty years of age in therapy still trying to come to terms with the embaressment, mortifying was not the word. Being the joker of the team, Damien had a regular field day with that one and I am now universally known as 'le gros lapin!' Still its all in good humour, at least I hope it is!
To say my diet has been varied would be an understatement, everyday I'm treated to a fully prepared breakfast and two three course meals that have included such delicacies as rabbit (of course!), frogs legs (believe it or not!), crayfish, duck and various other animal entrails of which tripe was THE worst (I had to pass on that one) washed down with a fortifying 'Cotes de Rhone' or 'Beaujolais' not to mention the assorted cheeses which follow. This all comes in quantities far greater than could possibly be consumed by a human (a sizeable farm animal might manage) and I am yet to finish a single meal much to Christiane's bemusement!,
'ooo you haven't eaten very much!'
'no sorry I ran out of steam after the third kilo of potatoes!'
Still, all this has helped to make me feel very welcome and I think I'll have to buy them a nice bottle of champagne or something to say thankyou. All that remains now is to get some results, only trouble is I now weigh 120kg!
à bientot.
