On the five or six minute walk from my office to the restaurant of the hotel Petit Mercure where I met my friend Didier (of Sainte Victoire fame) for lunch, I crossed La Bouillide, a small river that flows through the park of Sophia Antipolis before merging with the Brague between Valbonne and Biot. With all the rain we’ve had recently, La Bouillide is fairly vocal; in the summer, on the other hand, it all but dries up completely. Footpaths follow the river through the park, and it’s pleasant to be able to escape into this kind of environment at a moment’s notice. Having scenery like this a mere few minutes outside one’s office is one of the great things about working in this area. And before I forget: Thanks for lunch, Didier. I look forward to La Camargue!