Lessons & Excursions

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Hi Everyone

Well this is my second attempt at doing this blog. I spent 45 minutes this morning, only to find my internet connection had dropped out, and I lost the lot! So, as I should do, I will write, copy and paste.

I have finished my formal classroom lessons, and along with my fellow classmates, had a big sigh of relief. We were getting into the past and future tenses - I have difficulty putting a sentence together in the present tense, let alone others! The afternoon excursions were great. On Thursday we went to Le Château de Puymartin, a lovely castle still owned by descendants of the original owners, and one of the chateaux not destroyed or taken over during the Revolution. Some of the paintings and tapestries date back to the 17th century. Our guide was very entertaining, and even though it was all in French, he did very well. The roof of chateaux in this area consist of stones stacked almost horizontally, thus the weight can be between 500 - 900 kilos per square metre (see photos). This is a very ‘girl’ explanation but I know Sean would be interested in that fact.

On Friday afternoon, we had a cruise up the Dordogne River near Beynac on a gabare, a type of barge boat. Very picturesque, as you can see by the photos. It was quite warm and sunny, perfect for finishing off formal lessons!

On Saturday afternoon, I went for a BBQ at a fellow classmates’ place, in a nearby village. Terry and his wife Anne, along with other village folk are renovating the local derelict chateau. It is a huge job, and very expensive. It was very hot outside and walking inside this chateau was like walking into air conditioning. Some of the walls are 8 feet thick! (Imagine winter!) The dungeon is rumoured to be where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned, but as Terry said, if every rumour was true about having Richard in ‘their dungeon’, he was captive for a very long time!

I am having an hour a day private lessons this week, and have homework to do. I am a very slow learner, so this will equate to being able to speak 5 perfect sentences in French by the end of the week!

I don’t like wishing my holiday away, but I really can’t wait until Friday, when I go back to Paris to meet up with Sean. Then the holiday can slow down!

I don’t know if anyone is putting comments on my blog. Thanks Pamela, for yours. Sean has tried but it hasn’t come up like Pamela’s did so could everyone try? Yes, this includes you RHIANNON! By the way, did the kid’s get the postcards?

Au revoir

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Photos

Peyrilles
Anne, Terry, Martin and Rio the Lab

Comments

[Alex]

Hi mum Sounds like you are having a very interesting time. I am so jealous ....you r very lucky to be there and good on you for just doing it! Cant wait for you to get back I am not having such a good time at the moment And would love a mummy cuddle. Miss you love you Alex xoxoxo

[Pamela]

Yay my name was in the blog....
Hope this works. So love seeing the pictures and reading the stories. Look forward to the next one. Chow for now. Pamela