Poitiers Day 2

Bonjour mes amis, In fqct Im not in Poitiers proper, Im in Buxerolles, which you can see on the previous map. Yesterdqy Jean, my host "father" took me to some friends' place for lunch. They were lovely people and very hospitable. I then had a nap then Jean took me for a tiki tour, although I hqve a strong suspicion they dont call them that here! :-) (I didnt ever think I was a touch typist, but you sure get used to where certain keys are! )There seemed to be nobody about at all - mind you, it was very very hot - but then when we got into the old city centre, well, there they all were. Sitting round in zillions of cafés just as you'd expect. Stunningly beautiful setting.
I watched some awful thing on CNN about African news, just for the sake of heqring some English. Jean doesnt spek any English so its been trying and difficult. But he did like his Nez Zealqnd cap I gave him. Oh, and I got to see le rugby stade yesyterday! Jean has gone to Orleans today to help his daughter shift house, and at 11.30 someone is picking me up and taking me out for lunch. Its nice having a wee bit of time this morning and I can unpack. Jeans wife Thérèse comes back from her weekend retreat tonight.
I will try to download some photos next time. Hilary, did you and Neil get prizes for your costumes? :-)
Love from Alison.

In Poitiers

Well, Im in France. The first leg of the flight over with Singqpore Air was greqt, but Singapore to Frankfurt with Lufthansa was reql cattle class stuff. Awful. The last little stretch was fine.
You will see that French keyboards are different and I cant use my laptop at the moment as the charger doesnt fit. I seem to have brought over the wrong one! So pls excuse mistakes. Anyway, it has been trying and also some bits have been good. We had a day in Paris yesterday which was good. This morning I got the TGV to Poitiers and was met by 4 people at the station! Just catching it by myself in the first place was a bit of a mission.
As expected I have been terribly homesick. Im sure I'll work my way through it, but I am reminded of why I only applied for 1 month in the first place! I don't seem to do "away from NZ on my own" very well. But of course it's early days and I'm tired. It will be OK.
I am going out for lunch so had better get off the computer. I miss you all! xxx

Last day in Papatoetoe for a while.

This must be the only blog ever to have 10 posts about life in another country before even getting there. But anyway, all things being equal, and even if they're not, I'm off tomorrow! My visa arrived last Friday and the e-ticket and itinerary on Saturday. I have been very stressed indeed trying to fit all my stuff into a 20kg suitcase space. I think I will have to get Nadean to post over some winter stuff. I mean, for me, I have been positively spartan in my packing, and the case is still slighly over 20kgs and that's before toiletries! Oh dear. I will be fine I'm sure! It will be interesting at the airport tomorrow too, as the Olympians arrive back around about the time we are checking in. It could be a bit crowded.
I am quite nervous, but really looking forward to this. I'm sure it will be good. It kind of has to be really, as I have to have something to write about in my blog! I will miss my wee granddaughters, but hopefully we can talk on the phone or Skype. Well, I don't imagine that Isla is quite ready for that yet but she won't be far off!
A bientot!

In Nelson

I'm in Nelson for a quick weekend visit, catching up with friends before I go away. It is stunningly beautiful here today. Snow down quite low on the hills and a clear blue sky - fabulous. What isn't so fabulous is that yesterday I got a little parcel from the French embassy - my passport and paperwork returned with a letter saying that I have to apply in person and there is a 2 - 3 month waiting list! Tiffany from Alexandra had the same thing, and I guess Anna, who is also going for a year, did too. Unbelievable! We are due to fly out in just over 2 weeks....

Not long!

Just so that you can read something
I'd really like to say
That I hardly can believe it
But it's just 3 weeks today!