Day 9... The volunteering day at La Giraudiere began at 8 again today. In order to keep his volunteers happy the work day is substantially altered of late to prevent us from working in the intense afternoon heat.This just shows how concerned, understanding and friendly Paul is. However today I was awoken before 07h by clashes and bangs of crazy thunder, followed by quick, bright and dry lightning. Something I had never ever woken up to, also I had never been to...

Day 8... Ma première journée de travaille, finalement! Finally my first day of work, and the volunteering begins... I started off with a relatively nice job, housekeeping. Nothing too bizarre or challenging in anybodies book. The plan was to start early at 8 and finish early at lunch time which was the only possible way we could function in forty degree heat. Crois-moi (Believe me) I was delighted to be inside washing floors, dressing beds etc. After I clean...

Day 7... Today I went to the Chalais market which was my first real experience of the town and a french market. It was a very good market in my eyes, a town half the size of my hometown with a market three times the size of the market that is usually at home. The french know how to do their markets! There was stalls for clothes, makeup, accessories and also FOOD, comme des crêpes (yummy) and frommage. Unfortunately I was reeled into tasting lots of different ch...

Day 6... Today at La Giraudiere started with saying goodbye to two of our best ones! It was très triste but we know they are continuing or finishing their journeys so it's good to move on. Dehydration and fatigue from the heat and sun took it's toll on me today unfortunately but after a refreshing and fun dip in the lake I was most revived. A bike ride in Brossac is not complete without une plongée dans le lac (ou L'étang ici). Since it was another one of t...

Day 5 A lazy Saturday in La Giraudiere consisted of a grasse matinée (a sleep in) which was badly needed and a sociable afternoon of board games. Some of us went on a randonné on Saturday in a town nearby. It consisted of a 12km hike up and down the rolling hills of the French countryside. After a few kilometres there would be a course. So on registering and paying for the soirée we got our Apéritif which consisted of orange or rosé and peanuts. We then ...