Avignon

Samedi, j'ai passe toute la journee en Avignon. Le petit train m'a emenee autour de la ville, dans les petites ruelles et le guide etait tres interessant. Avignon est une vieille ville du moyen age et on peut voir les murs qui protegaient les peuples de cet epoque. Ce qui m'a donne beaucoup de plasir, fut ma visite au Palais des Papes et apres j'ai marche sur le Pont d'Avignon. Non, je n'ai pas danse, mais j'ai chante. C'etait super formidable, toute la journee. Quelle belle ville!
I accepted a lift from my hostess to Avignon on Saturday and spent a fabulous day wandering around this amazing town. There are signs of Roman, middle ages and modern buildings functioning together side by side. I was particularly fascinated by the way the builders in 1300s just built on top of huge rocks, as seen in the Popes' Palace, and nearby there were apartments on top of another rock. I loved wandering around the palace, learning about its history and seeing the huge rooms and imagining all the people going about their business there. We were directed to the top of one of the towers. The view was spectacular. I have included quite a lot of photos of this visit, as it was hard to decide what to leave out.
 A short distance by foot took me to the famous bridge. Very interesting how this bridge came to be built. It would be worth your while to google it and read about its history. Its real name is "Pont Saint-Benezet" and there are still signs of its original Roman predecessor.

At the end of the movie, you see windows with people. Actually it is a "trompe de l'oeil", which means it is an optical illusion, as the windows and people are actually painted on a flat wall.
A quick train trip and a tram ride to ease my aching feet, and I was home. What a fabulous day!

Lycee Joffre

This is Lycee Joffre, the high school I visited on Tuesday. It's an amazing place for a school and has quite a history. it used to be a citadelle centuries ago, where the soldiers lived. Then it became a military academy before being a school. It is huge and takes a long time to go from one class to the next. In the distance you can see the entrance to the school. with its white gates closed to anyone who is not meant to be there. Students must show their ID cards before being allowed in. I felt very privileged  to be welcomed here. On Tuesday I visited a Premiere class of 12 girls. They listened attentively while I spoke about my school and were honest in their opinions of a school without boys and also about having to wear uniforms. Some thought both conditions had merit. They are very keen to have pen pals in NZ and I will pass their email addresses on to those of you who would like to write to them. Yes I do have boys too, from another school and will be returning to this school after their mid-term break. School has been going for 6 weeks and now will have a 2 week break.

The House and the Bridge

Here's a look inside the house. The bedrooms are on the third floor and lounge and kitchen on the middle. It was warm and comfortable.

There is a fabulous viewing point for the bridge and just to prove I was there....

Some of the most beautiful villages in France

These are some of my favourite photos of this area..So many stone houses have been renovated in the old style and look really beautiful. I love the old stone steps and took lots of photos of them. Then I was fascinated by the  doors and windows. The river runs through the village where I stayed. It looked quite harmless now but I was told it floods regularly, reaching right up to the second level. The people just clean out the basement, which is not used to sleep in, and get on with their life. The house I stayed in looks like one of those old houses you see in a historic village or museum, not allowed to touch. Here I was living in one, sleeping in one of those beds and looking out one of those tiny windows. Our house is the one with green shutters. Also see if you can spot the two cats. You can see inside a courtyard and the date on the outside is 1032. This gives you an idea of the age of this place.
I enjoyed the walks along the banks of the River Lot and we picked up some last walnuts left behind after the harvest. The market was charming, offering produce from the area. The streets were narrow but everyone seemed to manage. We visited a cemetery and I enclose a photo. The flowers are all artificial and it looks like a competition to see who can put the most memorial plaques on the tomb stones. The area is famous for its trout and salmon fishing. The fishing competition going over two days attracted many participants and viewers.
On the way home, my hostess had a special treat in store. We went over the famous Millau viaduct. This part of the motorway spans the two hills above the town of Millau and is higher than the Eiffel Tower in places. I was so excited to go over it.

I am back at Language School and this week and the special course for teachers has started. It  was great today and I already have so many interesting ideas to try out on my classes next year. We five students enjoyed the activities. The programme involves both morning and afternoon for two weeks. Hope you enjoy the photos. If you go into Google maps and zoom to maximum, you too can drive over the Millau viaduct. Let me know what you think.
Till next time.

En Route pour Aveyron

I spent a wonderful week end with my hostess at her family home in a small village in Aveyron. However, first of all I'd like to share with you some of the fascinating things I saw on the way there. Try to follow on a map the road through the mountains from Montpellier north. We went past amazing scenery and quaint little villages that looked like time had forgotten. But nothing prepared me for the splendour of the Gorges de la Jonte and the Gorges du Tarn. Find Meyrueis. Go west along the river Jonte until Peyreleau. Turn north east along the river Tarn all the way to the beautiful village of Enimie. There is an amazing bridge there and I just had to cross it. Hope you enjoy the photos. The height of these rocks was incredible and I am running out of adjectives to describe the view. Next time I'll tell you more about the villages we visited.

Swim and Evening Stroll at Palavas

My hostess suggested a swim and picnic this afternoon. It was 32 degrees today so a swim was very welcome. The sky was blue and I have almost forgotten what a cloud looks like. The water was cool and refreshing. I am impressed by the clarity of the water and sand for miles. Although the beach is only 15 minutes by car from Montpellier, few people go there, I'm told. It was certainly quiet there today.

Then a walk along the canals, taking photos that you see made into jigsaw puzzles. We saw the sun going down behind the mountain, its reflection burning on the water of an "etang", pond does not really do it justice. The sky was brilliant red and orange, above the water and the pink flamingoes were quietly going about their business. It was very peaceful.

We had a wonderful time learning to play the French version of bowling, back-handed. In spite of Jean-Paul joining our team part way through, and he is a good player, it was too late to prevent our losing 14-2. Never mind, it was all good fun, especially the location. We played in an area "reserve pour les boulistes", under the arches of the old viaduct. In the photos, you can see Jean-Paul getting out his measuring string to check which "boule" is closest to the little white ball. Afterwards we went to a local cafe for refreshments. I am meeting so many interesting people here. Enjoy the photos-"Sous les Arceaux"