'Rat'atouille & Bibendum

View from the bridge near our apartment

The bridge near our apartment

These old gentlemen gather daily in the park to play "Pétanque," a traditional French ball game. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pétanque)

I like this part from the "Glossary of Special Terms" section of the Wikipedia page:

• to fanny (mettre fanny in French)

To win a game without the opposing team scoring any points; a shutout game. When a player loses 13 to 0, he is said to fanny ("il est fanny", he's fanny, or "il a fait fanny", he made fanny) and must kiss the bottom of a girl named Fanny. Virtually everywhere in Provence where pétanque is played, you will find a picture, woodcarving, or pottery figure of a bare-bottomed lass named Fanny. Often, the team that made "fanny" has to buy a round of drinks for the winning team ("Fanny paie à boire!", "the fanny pays for the drinks!").

 The Vichy Pétanque Club is located a few blocks from us, along the river.

I could retire in Vichy and hang out with other old dudes drinking the magic water, eating croissants, playing Pétanque, and strolling along the river with Sam.

Speaking of strolling along the river

Douglas and I have become shopping buddies, frequenting the grocery store almost on a daily basis.

"Hey Dad, I think we have a visitor!"

"I will flush him out."

"Okay, he's flushed out.  Now what?"  It's not every day that you see a large rat on the playground.  And he wasn't too afraid of people, unfortunately.

The romantic walkway along the river.

The lamps change color every few minutes.

We took the 30-minute train ride through the city.  Douglas didn't want to cooperate for the photo.  He's getting tired of having a camera pointed at him.

So now I have to be quick with the button before he can turn away from the camera.

Doogles thought it was hilarious that the ducks were eating his bread.

The Michelin Tire Company started out in Clermont-Ferrand, which is located 45 minutes from Vichy.  We visited the Michelin Museum this week.

Douglas enjoyed the little train.

 He also enjoyed the video game, of course.

 The French refer to the Michelin Man as "Bibendum".

 He did not enjoy the photo.  He covered his mouth so he wouldn't have to smile.

Another crepe (galette) for me.  Sam did a baked potato this time.  At one point during dinner Sam turned to Douglas and said, "You're being such a silly boy."  Douglas replied, "I'm being an awesome boy."  He constantly makes us laugh.