The weather today was very changeable. It was rainy, partly sunny, very windy but actually mild. It had rained most of the night – I can tell as I can hear it on the skylights and roof. I thought it was going to be cold when I went out but it was actually very mild for November.

I went out to lunch as it is a running group day and I have lunch at a restaurant those days so I do not have to cook dinner later at night when I get back from the run. I went to Le Petit Quai. It is a very small restaurant may 15 seats that I had lunch at previously. The food is fantastic and the price at lunch is very reasonable. I had a starter, entree and glass of wine for $23. The starter was lentil stew and the main was a veal stew over rice.

After lunch I walked along the Garonne, one of my favorite things to do in Toulouse. The river bank was very empty compared to usual because of the weather but for me it was still a very nice walk. I realized the mountains I was at sunset were actually real not something of my imagination as I was able to see them again this afternoon. Not sure why I have missed them previously but it might be that clouds obscure them regularly as clouds were hanging above them today.

I needed some wine for dinner so I wandered over to the wine store. I had forgotten that November was Beaujolais Nouveau release month but had read about it while here. The day was November 21st which was today. The wine shop was having a tasting of the Beaujolais Nouveau and a regional wine that is released not the same day. The wine seller and I discussed the Beaujolais Nouveau release and she said it used to be a much bigger event in France but it has become more low-key now. I ended up buying the local wine release for dinner. I am trying to stick to local wine while I am in Toulouse.

The better late than never part comes from the running group. I am finally meeting people and having real conversations with other runners. I met a young man who speaks incredibly good English with an English accent (Elliot) even though he is completely French and learned his English in French schools and through the Internet. I would have guessed he was English if he had not told me. He is from Nantes, a city further north than Toulouse, but has lived in Toulouse for the last 3 years. He works in IT (AI) and would like to emigrate abroad. His first choice is Vancouver but would be happy anywhere in the English speaking world. The other young man is Belgium/German (Timo) and has only been in Toulouse for the same amount of time I have. He works for an aerospace company. He is well integrated in the running group, young hip kids. He speaks good English but definitely with a French accent. He was very inquisitive about why I was in Toulouse and asked me many personal questions. His first question when asked why I was in Toulouse was if a woman was involved which I thought was amusing. I have two more runs and will have someone to talk to for those runs which makes it better late than never.