Catch-up

At the end of my last post, I mentioned that I was studying Python, a computer language. I've never done anything like it before (although now I come to think of it, learning Arabic was quite as tortuous), so it's tough pounding it into my brain (which is obviously full of incredibly useless useful other stuff...).

Still, headway is being made; I finished the first course, Python for Everybody (even me) - and I'm now on the second of the five-part course - Data. Helping me learn is the Anki app, in their own words:

Anki is a program which makes remembering things easy. Because it's a lot more efficient than traditional study methods, you can either greatly decrease your time spent studying, or greatly increase the amount you learn.

Anyone who needs to remember things in their daily life can benefit from Anki. Since it is content-agnostic and supports images, audio, videos and scientific markup (via LaTeX), the possibilities are endless.
For example:

• Learning a language
• Studying for medical and law exams
• Memorizing people's names and faces
• Brushing up on geography
• Mastering long poems
• Even practising guitar chords!

It's also open source and free. And it works.

Why Python? Why learn to code? Well, you never know what the future holds in store, and my current job could disappear, and as a developer, you can work anywhere in the world. Particularly in France where, when you hit 50, you're considered dead meat, unless you can code. Java programmers are never out of work apparently. I plan to go onto Java once I've got the hang of the more straightforward language Python.

Also, I got a promotional email from Coursera in which a woman who had been in admin retrained as a programmer starting with the Python for Everybody course. If she can do it...

Let's just say that it's a challenge, and definitely keeping me on my toes!

I've been on my toes in more ways than one. Remember I mentioned that I was walking regularly during the week using the WalkActive technique, or as near as one can without going through the training programme? Well, it's taken inches off my waist and I can now get into trousers I was on the point of throwing out. My DB says it's very noticeable, so well done Joanna Hall (the founder).

I could definitely do with walking off work's Christmas lunch! I'm stuffed!! We had it at work and everyone brought something so there were lots of good things to eat including: boeuf bourguignon, lobster bisque tart, quiche, salads, charcuterie, luxury butter, fabulous cheeses, chocolate moelleux cake, chestnut log, buche, clementines, lichis and so on. Ouf.

We are all at work in the family this week. My youngest is doing his work experience at the local opticians' who are parents of a best buddy and very welcoming so he's having a lovely time. My eldest dropped law as being way too boring and with people he didn't get on with, and is now doing a sandwich course in marketing, and working at a local dynamic start-up with people he does appreciate and having a fab time. He's putting into practice all the theory and ideas he learns at college and at his age, having a job is a miracle! France is a rubbish country for jobs for the under 25s and over 50s and the unemployment statistics bear witness to my damning judgement. He got the job by networking - the only way these days, it seems - the CEO is the mother of a good buddy who he's known for years. She told him that he might not have the technical skills yet, but he has the human qualities she wants for her team. Was I proud?

So as the holiday season kicks off, I hope you all have a very merry Christmas, or at least the Christmas which suits you.

And if you need to send some Christmas ecards that are not cheesy, whimsical or nauseating, (and free), I can recommend jimpix.co.uk for cards such as this one:

jimpix.co.uk
*Merry Christmas*

Fresh air and mushrooms

Today is probably the last of the beautiful, mild days we've been enjoying all month. Tomorrow, the temperature is set to plummet by 10°C. I took the afternoon off to walk in one of my favourite local spots - Domaine de St Sauveur - get blown about a bit in the blustery wind and clear out any residual cobwebs. 

It was peaceful enough for me to do my version of Walkactive walking without feeling conspicuous. Soon it'll be dark when I get out of work, and my enthusiasm to walk will dwindle to nothing. I'm making the most of it while I can. While I walked, I thought about what a pleasure it's been this autumn being outside to enjoy life.

For example, sometimes, the weather is so perfect, you just have to jump onto (the back of) a bike and ride off into the hills. The day after our tour of l'étang de Ponant, we pursued our two-wheel weekend with a bike trip into the Cevennes to admire the glorious colours.

Sunny Cevennes 1 Nov 2015

It's not New England, but it's still a spectacular sight.

Cevennes 1 Nov 2015

We meandered along some tiny tiny roads, no wider than the width of a car, and took it carefully because sometimes there was nothing between the edge of the road and a sheer drop down. I sat very still on the back of the bike...

Cevennes 1 Nov 2015

It was so warm I just had my tee-shirt and jacket on, and even felt it was a bit much. In the shade, however, it was more obviously autumn and a lot chillier.

Cevennes 1 Nov 2015

We stopped for lunch at St Jean du Gard, from where the little steam train runs to Anduze. November 1 is a public holiday in France, so many places were shut. We were starting to get a little worried about our rumbling stomachs. After circling round the town three times, we decided to try the restaurant in the Routard guide, La Treille.

Cevennes 1 Nov 2015

We had wanted to sit outside in the sun, but as all the bars with terraces were shut, along with all the others, and the only other restaurant open had a terrace in the shade where everyone was wrapped up in coats, we thought La Treille inside was the best option.

Cevennes 1 Nov 2015

It was a good choice. It was warm and snug inside with a wonderfully cosy interior - lots of nooks and intimate spots. The crepes were delicious too. I had one made with 1/3 chestnut flour filled with a local pelardon cheese, and my DB had a regular crepe filled with potatoes, lardons and cheese. It was very hearty. We were very good and sensible and didn't have any cider or wine, the better to navigate the narrow winding roads.

Cevennes 1 Nov 2015

Every corner opened up different views of the hills, and the stunning sight of azure blue sky, as vibrant as anything you see on the Cote d'Azur!

Cevennes 1 Nov 2015

I was struck by the amazing contrast of the intense green on the terraces in the photo above compared to the rich golden colours of autumn and grey/greens of the pines elsewhere. Is it pasture or winter wheat?

Hunters with hunting dogs in the trailer

At one junction, we came across several trucks belonging to hunters, at what was obviously the end of their day's hunting. In the trailer were the dogs so I suppose it was a very well-organised group, maybe even professionals. Wild boar are a big problem in the region. Their numbers increase every year and they are extremely destructive.

Cevennes 1 Nov 2015

The wild boar would probably have been in heaven in some of the woods we passed through. In places, the strong fragrance of wild mushrooms was like riding through heaven, and had we been looking to go mushroom picking, I don't think we would have been disappointed.

As it was, we left them in peace, but I can still remember the delicious smell of damp humus and aromatic fungi.

That ride was one of the highlights of this month, appealing as it did to all our senses, but even local walks and another bike ride have been pure delight, and I feel so much the better for it all.

Ready indeed to face a winter of learning Python!