Today was my first English class after our hols and I’ve found it really hard to get my head around preparing the lesson this week. But after several hours of head scratching and internet searching, I finally came up with a lesson plan I was happy with. We were doing the future tense, so, having covered the weather, past, present and future, I introduced the topic of the upcoming French presidential elections. The French all have strong political opinions, so I thought this was something that would interest them; it certainly did…… however, they were so animated by the subject that they completely neglected the whole point of the class, ie, to speak English! In spite of my repeated reminders, the majority of the class was conducted in French!!!!! (note to self – learn to be more assertive)

But who could be cross with such lovely people; Nick was using the car today, so I cycled into Nogaro for class, to the horror of my students, who wouldn’t contemplate going out on a bike in such cold weather. Maithée, my hardest-working student and fellow cyclist then insisted on giving me her silk gloves for under my thick gloves, so that my hands stayed warm on the return trip, assuring me that they were her spare pair. Thank you, Maithée.

When I got home, I discovered that the grey bedroom, which we’ve been using as a store-room, study and general dumping ground is now empty, in preparation for its conversion to a second bathroom. The computer is on the landing, which feels very strange; a subtle hint, perhaps, that I need to get on with decorating the yellow bedroom. Perhaps I can sneak a radiator in there before I start; I know I’m a wimp, but I’d rather be sitting by the fire than working in about 3-5ºC, which is as warm as most of the house gets at the moment.

Roll on spring!