Ice skating

There might not be enough snow to ski, but the lakes are frozen around here. So we went ice skating this week end. First time for me on a real lake! Sam is an expert...

We skated the entire afternoon, while others prefered to have "fondue" on the lake.

In case you're wondering, I discovered a great hipstamatic app on the iphone. As you can tell, I put it on random and I'm having fun!

Nordic Combined. World Cup (2)

As planned, we went to the Nordic Combined World Cup last week end. It was in Chaux Neuve, just a few kilometers from where we spent a lot of our week ends. Nordic Combined is Ski Jumping and Cross Country Skiing. The cross country ski start is based on the results of the jumps results. Our local star, Jason Lamy Chappuis (pic above), jumped so far that he started first with 37 seconds ahead of the second. The race was 10kms and he finished first. Jason is french and american. He was born in the US and grew up in Le Jura. 10000 fans were there to support him and his teammates. It was a fun day!


I had to take a few a few pics of the fans...

"Go Jez"!!!









This is Jason's mum. She is american, very sweet lady. I spoke with her this summer. I really like her attitude. She helps translate of course during these international races. She's also good friend with the Nordic Combined American team. She was very happy and proud of her son last sunday!

At the end of the day, once Sam was done with his interviews, we went at the top of the jump hill.

It's high and dangerous!! The metallic bar on the right is where the jumper sits for take off! The person on the left is an old champion. Sylvain Guillaume also got a olympic medal back in 92. He was giving a small tour of the new facilities! Really nice guy too.

View of Chaux Neuve from the top of the jump hill.

Seb Lacroix (french team, finished 9 on Sunday) with Sylvain Guillaume. I asked them to pose and here is the result.

We could see the cross country ski loop where they raced in the afternoon from far above. What a day!

Le Letelet et la Jaique

I went cross country skiing this week end. Passed a couple of nice old farms...

Nordic Combined - World Cup at home !

We're going to a Nordic Combined World Cup this week end right in our backyard! Nordic Combined is sport in which athletes compete in both ski jumping and cross country skiing. And since we have a local favorite: Jason Lamy Chappuis (who came back with a gold medal from the last Olympics), there should be quite a crowd at the bottom of the ski jumping hill to see the guys fly!!

I probably won't be able to take this kind of pic this week end with my on-its-way-to-the-grave camera. So I stole it on the web.

These are the three french favorites with their ugly national french team suits. They look like salamenders. The only good thing: can't miss them amongst all the other athletes.

Marilyn dans le Haut Doubs?!

The movie Poupoupidou is coming out today in France. Some parts of the movie takes place in le Haut Doubs... where we hang out so often on the week ends. We read that they shot it last winter and the crew stayed at L'Hotel du Lac where we regularly stop by for the delicious ice cream "Berthillon" during the summer. Can't wait to see it!!

it's all about attitude...

A couple of week ends ago, we were in La Clusaz (in the French Alps) for a World Cup cross country ski race. The best x country skiers from all over the world came to compete. We were there to support the french team... they had it tough against Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Russia, etc.

I took a picture of the norvegian truck that follows their team everywhere. They couldn't do a better job at representing the attitude of the team when they are skiing. No wonder they win...

Du Mont d'Or. (From the Golden Peak).

This last Saturday, we went for a short hike looking for Sam's cousins. They took a longer hike than us and Marie-Pierre snapped these beautiful shots. We were at the top of the Jura mountains admiring the Alpes and La Vallee de Joux right below. It's official, the snow is here! soon we'll be skiing...

Correspondances de Manosque 2010

Last week end was that time of year again when we go down to Manosque for a literary festival and hang out with friends. While Anne-Celine, Maxence, Jerome and Veronique are getting interviewed on their impression of the festival, Sam is chatting with Arnaud Catherine few tables further down.

Manosque 2010.

I had to post this picture of A.C. since I got the same one last year. The only difference... a bigger belly!

Manosque 2009.

Col d'Izoard. Sep 2010

During our vacation in Pontis, close to Embrun and Gap, by the lake of Serre Poncon in Les Alpes de Haute Provence, Sam rode up le Col d'Izoard.

Love the vintage cycling outfit!