Host Fail

     When you invite someone to stay with you halfway around the world and then, soon after they arrive, they have to beat a retreat away from you because you pose a danger to their health . . . that's called "host fail."

     It happened to this fine family -- our close friends, Alison and Steve, and their two sons, Nathan and Cole:

     We've known Alison and Steve since law school.  Don't they look nice?  They are.  They came all the way from Portland to stay with us for about 5 days as part of their summer trip to France.  Yet, soon after they arrived, Ed was attacked by a nasty stomach virus . . . and it wouldn't stop.  It was the kind of illness that makes cohabitation unwise at best and impossible at worst.  So Steve and Alison rounded up their kids and headed for the hills.  Literally.  To a hill town about 10 kilometers away where, miraculously, they were able to find hastily-arranged replacement accommodations.  

      We felt bad about it.

     There was a silver lining.  Le General and the Budge kids were not nearly as affected by this French super-bug as Ed.  So, a 10-kilometer buffer zone having been established, the seven of them were able to get together for field trips while Ed slipped in and out of delirium in a dark room.  Here are photographs demonstrating the nice times they had together:

Nyons Water Park

Alison and Ford -- Dinner out the night of Fete de la Musique

Dessert at "Pascal's" cannot be beat

Cole

Nathan

Water Rat

Bike Ride

     After a week (Steve and Alison had moved on, as pre-planned, to several towns south of Vaison by now-- Roussillon and St. Remy) Ed was finally getting better.  So we all got together for one more outing.  The Pont du Gard of course!

Steve and Alison, come back soon . . . . if you dare!