Vendredi le 24 octobre

The pancake making session.

The playground at lunchtime.

Hermione's class CM2 -

The girls were excited about school today – Hermione’s class were making pancakes with maple syrup – degustation. I sent her along to the class with the camera so I could show you what the class is like. I will send it with Seph next.

Seph’s class had 3 children turning 10 so the teacher bought a gateau and lollies and fizzy! They played games for a lot of the day which Seph loved.

Nev and I went into town to get train tickets but instead got sidelined by the 500 market stalls – the atmosphere was great and things seemed really cheap – woollen coats in various styles and numerous colours €30 and Nev got really good sunglasses for €10, normally €60. These markets were a lot cheaper than in Dijon. Saw heaps of kids clothes €5 and winter boots. Megan – heaps of Diesel jeans and IKKS children’s things marked down but still not cheap enough for me! You would be impressed with the shoes and clothes and the prices! I saw a very cool pair of boxers absolutely covered in a “cherry” design and immediately thought of these for Ian and Pete!

Met Ghislaine at CLA for my language practice and then she helped out at the ticket office for the train to get the best deal to go to Lyon.

It is so good having someone you can talk to and get advice from, as that is what is really hard knowing where to go or how to find the information you want.

Ghislaine suggested we better get in and book to go to Strasbourg for the Xmas markets – these are very famous and people travel to Strasbourg from all over France and Germany to go- Apparently the best in France. So home to search internet again for cheap accommodation – the Lonely Planet Guide did say accommodation is hard to find in Strasbourg and it was! Took ages and it wasn’t the fact of price at all –it was the matter of a room! December pretty much fully booked, every night and every hotel/hostel. Finally found a hostel -one that can take the 4 of us. So booked it quickly and now have to go to train office again! Mind you if we don’t keep planning and going then the year will whizz by. I have been here 2 months – who would have thought it has been that long already!

This is the "inside" play area for rainy and cold days - pretty sparse. On the ground is that spongey black playground matting stuff.