We are not far from the major centre of Toulouse and access is easy by rail or autoroute. As a university town and a city with a large aerospace focus, things are always quite lively and the city is growing. There is a good range of shops, plenty of good eating places and the central market is always quite an easy place to obtain any produce we particularly want.
For a now somewhat old fashioned Randall (Yvonne tells me that he is getting worse as time goes by), this area is close to Rugby heaven. Sensibly France has retained a regional based approach to domestic rugby and, like UK football, there is a promotion/relegation system operating which encourages continual competition over the whole season. No nonsensical US based naming conventions here which is also pleasing and watching rugby is so enjoyable that Yvonne encouraged Randall to take her to the Top 14 Montauban-Toulon game last weekend and we are on the lookout for other good games to go to.
First level teams operate out of nearby cities of Albi, Toulouse, Montauban and Castres and so there is a great choice of games to go to. There is a bit of an old fashioned feel to the matches of competing for the sake and pleasure of the game. Plus there is a welcome absence of the commercial entertainment that is so evident in US/Australian football. Last weekend’s game also had one abnormal break due to the hot weather where the players were invited to break for a few minutes and to take on some drinks. Yvonne was shocked but it showed part of an overall approach to life here where relationships are everything. Whilst the players were taking this break the public address system was advising the public to ensure that any children with them should also be keeping up with water and staying out of the sun if possible; something very unfamiliar to Aussie sports attendance, in my experience.
For a now somewhat old fashioned Randall (Yvonne tells me that he is getting worse as time goes by), this area is close to Rugby heaven. Sensibly France has retained a regional based approach to domestic rugby and, like UK football, there is a promotion/relegation system operating which encourages continual competition over the whole season. No nonsensical US based naming conventions here which is also pleasing and watching rugby is so enjoyable that Yvonne encouraged Randall to take her to the Top 14 Montauban-Toulon game last weekend and we are on the lookout for other good games to go to.
First level teams operate out of nearby cities of Albi, Toulouse, Montauban and Castres and so there is a great choice of games to go to. There is a bit of an old fashioned feel to the matches of competing for the sake and pleasure of the game. Plus there is a welcome absence of the commercial entertainment that is so evident in US/Australian football. Last weekend’s game also had one abnormal break due to the hot weather where the players were invited to break for a few minutes and to take on some drinks. Yvonne was shocked but it showed part of an overall approach to life here where relationships are everything. Whilst the players were taking this break the public address system was advising the public to ensure that any children with them should also be keeping up with water and staying out of the sun if possible; something very unfamiliar to Aussie sports attendance, in my experience.
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