It was an earth ball type thing in a wood (above Alet-les-Bains) size of a walnut and currently smelling deliciously of earth and leaves, firm but with a blue/lilac coloured inside.
gossip from a small french town - NEW IMPROVED VERSION has gone to www.esperazafollies.blogspot.com since I am no longer able to put photos on Tilling.... the gossip stream continues there.