Still In South France.

Well it is time to change our dining room table in Beauvallon, which we have had since, we think, 34 years and that has well served its purpose. In fact we never really liked the table, but the Saporiti table we wanted was too expensive and we decided to get the cheaper version. 

So we have used almost a week looking and driving around. In the end settled for the nice Sifas shop close to St Tropez. We had looked at two of its Oak wood tables and after a few visits and loads of discussions, we decided for the larger version, which could be extended in a smart way. We went back to the shop for the X number of times and as we entered the door we were told that the table had sold only 30 min before. S... and we then settled for the second choice, which was Chris’s first choice, but can’t be extended and is slightly narrower. So deal done and the table should be delivered on Friday.

Last night we had a strong Mistral for the third time in the ten days we have been in Beauvallon. It was hauling most of the night, but by morning it was again calm. When I got up and looked out on the windows, we had received five cm snow and everything was white. Soon the sun came and it reminded us more of the Swish mountains or Luxembourg and was far from the view we used to have in Beauvallon.

It is Truffe season and Sunday 20 January, as soon as the strong wind and rain stopped we went to Grimaud Village, where they also had this week-end a Truffe market. As the weather had been poor the last days, we were almost the only visitors, but a while later more people showed up. Again the Truffe cost EUR 1.000/kg and we bought a small one of 15 g thus costing EUR 15. 

At the centre of the market they had a dog that was trained to find the Truffe. The chap dug into the sand three Truffe and within a few minutes the dog had found the Truffe. Apparently the dog don’t like to eat the Truffe and gladly gave the chap what it had found. There are no special Truffe dogs and he told me that any dog could be trained up to find Truffe, but that it was best done when the puppies are about 3-6 months old.