It May Have Hit 60!

Yes, you heard it right! It may have actually hit 60 degrees Farenheit today! On the way home from school, we were admiring the sunny skies, and actually stopped (yes, it was warm enough to stop moving on the way home!), and peered over the bridge to look at the rushing river below us that we cross over each day on our way home. It was very beautiful. The water was so clear that you could see the rocks on the bottom. And while we stood there, we saw a beautiful little bird with a bright yellow belly and black/grey wings swoop over the water, land on a rock and being bathing. It reminded me of spring.

By the time we got home, and made lunch (tuna sandwich for Rob, faux hot dog sandwich and mandarin oranges for Karen), we decided to try sitting on our balcony. So we pulled out some folding chairs, put them in the sun, and indulged in the warmth! We really thing it may have been nearly 80 degrees in the direct sunlight, with a nice cool breeze. Ah! So nice! Please note, the beautiful blue skies!

Us on the balcony today, in short sleeves!

Cruisin!

Well, we're gonna be cruising the streets of Chambery soon, in our very own CAR! Yes, folks, we finally decided that it would be worth the time and money to buy a car for the remainder of our time in France. The number of times that we've trudged through the rain and snow to and from school, lugged whatever groceries we could hold in our arms and on our backs, fallen over on the bus after a sudden start, missed church because no busses run on Sundays, or paid way too much money for the ridiculously priced train tickets to other cities, we decided that it would be worth it.

Rob diligently began searching in the paper for a used car in our price range. The first day, we went and saw a 1995 Peugot 306 in midnight blue. It wasn't bad. It had 240,000 km on it, had only had two previous owners, the only major cosmetic problem was some stains on the seats, worn paint and the side-view mirror which was taped on with duct tape, but it was a solid car. The lady was very nice and even said we should come over to dinner some time, and practice French with her (even if we didn't buy the car). We were tempted to buy it just because she was so nice, but we were determined to not buy the first thing that we saw.

By the evening, we hadn't been able to see any other cars. Until at 6:30 I saw an ad that we hadn't called yet, for a car 2 years newer and 200 euros cheaper! We went for a rendez-vous at 7:30pm to see this lovely 1997 Ford Escort Sport. It had no major mechanical problems, it was very well kept, had only 90,000 km on it, and came with a set of snow tires, and a brand new set of summer tires! We took it for a test drive and it ran like a champ! By 8:00pm we had made an offer, and now, we own this wonderful car! The improvements in the conditions of the car mean that we can hopefully sell it for close to what we bought it for when we leave next January!

Karen next to the new beaut!















Sweet side shot















Yes, we now have a European licsence plate!