Settling in Antibes

Well, here we are in France. We stayed in corporate housing for almost two weeks before moving into an apartment. Our place is less than a 15-minute walk into the old town. Kari can catch several buses to work withing a 5-minute walk from our door. There is a market, a boulangiere, news stand , pharmacy, a hair salon, a barber, and two sandwich shops on the ground floor of the building. The area is quiet, especially at night, and there are several restaurants nearby. In the town center you have a load of different shops, cafes, restaurants, and a very impressive farmers market. We are less than a 10-minute walk to the train station and a major bus stop where at least 10 different lines stop. So far we have taken the train to Nice, Cannes and Monaco, and when we had the rental car we drove through the surrounding countryside. There is a large swimming stadium across the street, a running track withing a 10-minute walk, and last night we joined the gym which is also within a 10-minute walk. So far so good.

There are some negative points also, but so far the good outweighs the bad. The bad points? Well the drivers are nutters, dog shit on the sidewalks (guess they haven't heard of pooper scoopers or plastic bags - don't wear shoes into the house!); they can burn the yard clippings which creates some breathing discomfort; and alcohol at the bars is very expensive. At The Plough in Ashby, you could get a pint of quality English ale (which I already miss) for about 3 pounds. I paid 6.40 Euros (E) for a pint of Murphy's, and E10.60 for a pint and a Coke (the Coke was about E3.60). But most disturbing, if not frightening of all, swim trunks are not allowed in French pools. No, this does not mean skinny dipping, but almost as bad: speedos. Yes, as a man, you wear a speedo in the pool. Don't worry, there WILL NOT be photos of Kevin in a speedo (you will have to join the pay site for those;).

Pictures from the top: The harbor with yachts as big as the ferries on the Bay; Old town wall of Antibes from the Mediterranean; kitchen; shower (the toilet is in a seperate closet); living room; bedroom; and one of our two terraces.