Jeudi le 20 novembre- escargots!

I was off to work early at the college – started at 9:45! Went to a History lesson with the 5eme, 13 year olds. They were studying the history of King Louis XIV and how he changed the French economy – I surprised myself and actually understood some of it, well I think I did! After this to a French class with the 6eme – 12 year olds. This was about culture and they had a famous painting they were interpreting and excerpts of literature – Les Miserables and Jack London’s ‘White Fang’. Not sure if they were making comparisons or not. It was good to see their text book – our children learn nothing like this at school. It is very formal and prescriptive, not sure yet which system is ‘better’. The French way definitely has merits as does ours! Home for lunch and then back for the afternoon at the college – we took all the 6eme to the ‘Fete de Sciences’ at the university. This was a huge promotion for science and a little like the science roadshow but not as well done- this could be because of my lack of French especially scientific language! We walked there, this reminded me of APS. It took 40 mins each way. Went to collect ‘the letter’ and informed the head honcho has it – so not sure what that means – is he just signing it / or stopping it? I can’t work out the big deal about it as we are living at the premises (at the moment) it needs to just verify our address not be a guarantor for us!
While I was hard at work, Nev was entertaining our guests. I believe they were all slow to get started. After lunch they wandered into town and walked up to the lookout at the Citadelle.
About 5 we walked to the supermarket to get food and supplies – Kerry and Hermione stayed behind and got absorbed in a computer game. A new one to us and it is great, has had everyone intrigued and really thinking.
For tea we tried the 5 course thing and tried to be slightly traditional (as much as I know, anyhow) – kiwi too start – chips and peanuts, then we had an aperitif with little French muse bouches (pastries that fit into your mouth complete, to amuse the taste buds!), then came escargots (snails!) for the main we had roast chicken and salad and French fries, then long after we finished with cheese!
The snails were a first for me to cook – not exactly sure what to do but I asked a lovely lady who was standing near us in the aisle at the supermarket what to do. She explained how to make the sauce – butter, garlic, parsley and salt (for those of you who would like to try!) and how to prepare them. So home we went and I tried my best. They smelt delicious! 36 snails in their shell for consumption – 6 each! The little blighters were hard to get out – you had to get a fork tine and try to grab and twist it loose. The girls faces were delightful…Seph had a good go but unfortunately she got a chewy one and was put off having another.

Hermione had 2 snails and then decided that it was the thought that it was a ‘snail’ that put her off having another. Everyone else finished them off!
A good bottle of €1 red to go with our meal finished the scenario perfectly. It was the first time we had entertained in a long time and it was a great feeling – also the only time I had had company for a meal in nearly 3 months!