lunchtime treat

It was christmas lunch at the institute today. We all enjoyed a huge and delicious meal, while my colleagues (Yannis, Karine)



(Valerie, Christine, Phil)



patiently explained the jokes in the crackers to me about 20 times!

Malham

A few weeks ago I had a research meeting in Malham, England. We stayed in the grounds of Malham Tarn (shown here with one of our research students, Olivier).



And the hard work continued late into the night, typified with Dunja, Roger, Stuart and Yannis debating Muller's ratchet at the Tögelihoschte...

Such a beautiful horizon....

Barcelona!

only a Fatima Whitbred stones-throw from Montpellier is the magical capital of Catalunya. Richard and I decided to meet up there in mid-November.

After paying due homage to Gaudi....



...we explored the waterfront part of the city known as Barcelonetta.



Richard braved a paddle in the November waters.



And we both braved the heights of the Sagrada Familia.



A fab trip!

Saint-Guilhem le Désert

A short drive from Montpellier, is the lovely St. Guilhem with it's surprisingly hikeable terrain. Ana, Olivia, Sylvain, Richard and I visited on a sunny day in November.



Olivia led the way, with mum and dad trying to keep up!




In spite of our 'sauvage' efforts to live off the local berries....



....we relented and headed for the charming main square and enjoyed some crêpes and cidre.