Boltonian fun in the sun Part 2: Toulouse

Well, when I last wrote we were on the train to Toulouse, so I think it's only right and proper that I fill you in on our exploits there...just to gloss over things (given that it is now 2 weeks ago and I have since had another awesome weekend about which I am yet to write...) we initially went to the tourist office to decide on how we were going to spend our time there, which actually wasn't that long given that we were taking the train back to Pau that evening and it soon transpired that we wouldn't be able to do some of what we had hoped to do due to having to book. We initially decided to do the boat tour of the city that afternoon (the weather merited it as it was gorgeous yet again!), although as we had a few hours beforehand to do our own thing we went round to try and find somewhere where Mandy could buy a pair of trainers as her feet were, in her own words 'killing her' and she needed a pair of comfy shoes for the following day anyway. We soon managed to find some and then after having eaten decided that instead of going on the boat tour, to get some bikes ('Velo', same system as Vélib in Paris) and go round the city ourselves as that way we'd probably have a lot more fun and also be able to go where we wanted instead of having to follow the boat's course.




We were slightly apprehensive about going on the roads, but as more often than not there were cycle lanes it could have been worse! Was so nice and relaxing just going round taking everything in at our own pace :)Had a walk through one of the parks pushing our bikes at one point too as you weren't allowed to ride through...nice though even though the bike was hardly what I'd call light, so having to hold 2 at once so Mandy could take a photo and do some filming was what I'd call a mission, which I in part failed with!



Soon enough it was time for us to head back to the station to catch our train back and I think all three of us were glad when we were able to have the cabin all to ourselves on the way back as we could have got some rather funny looks due to the games we were playing had we been sharing with people!

Definitely going to head back to Toulouse to do everything else, although next time I think a weekend would be better because as with any city there is so much to do! :)

Went out to meet my friends again when we arrived back, although given that Sunday was going to be another busy day and after either having travelled down from Paris or got up at 5.30 that morning we all soon agreed to call it a night

Boltonian fun in the sun! Part 1: Conspiracy

I realise it is a while since I last wrote, but that was purely because nothing overly special happened and given that I don't have a free weekend from now until I go back home to England for Easter in a month, I knew that I'd have many a story to tell, which is where this weekend comes in...what a weekend! I had two of my friends from home (one is on a year abroad like me, being an assistant in Paris) over, Mandy and Kris. Mandy rather spontaneously decided to book tickets a month ago, not having been out of the country nor flown before, and Kris rather spontanously booked tickets last Thursday to arrive early Saturday morning...now you see where my spontaneity comes from! haha.

Anyway, as Mandy had never flown before she was shall we say, petrified. My attempts to reassure her weren't exactly successful as she was very apprehensive about the whole thing. She had to take the plane from Birmingham to Biarritz as annoyingly none of the routes from Manchester are actually up and running yet, so on Friday I had to jump on the train to go and meet her. Was such a gorgeous day, wish I could have stayed in Biarritz and gone to the beach, but wasn't to be, plus there'll be other occasions! Got the train from Pau to Bayonne and then had to jump on a bus to the airport...sounds easy, actually wasn't! Had to ask at the bus terminus with regards to which bus to get to the airport and either I completely misunderstood (which I doubt) or the woman wasn't explicit with her instructions...I am pretty sure that 'town hall' without specifying in which town is not explicit! Anyway, I managed to jump on the right bus etc no problem and it was only once I realised we were getting close to Biarritz town centre that some doubts started to set in, so got off the bus at what I thought (wrongly) was the Town Hall and asked some passers by for help. While all this was going on I got a phone call from Mandy to say she was at Biarritz airport as the plane had arrived 20 minutes early...the one time I was praying for it to be delayed it was early! Since when have planes ever arrived early? It just doesn't happen! After realising I was waiting for the bus on the wrong side of the road and then having to wait another 10 minutes on top of the half hour I'd already waited and then once on the bus I had to sit through 12 stops. I felt so bad given that it was the first time she had flown and at this point she was alone in a country where she couldn't speak the language, I apologised on arriving at the airport and finding her as you can imagine! Got a taxi from the airport to Biarritz station (which I found to be much nearer the airport than Bayonne, I asked a mate so was misinformed) and found that we had an hour and a half wait until the next train we could get. Drawing up a rather spontaneous contingency plan, I suggested that as the bus to Bayonne station was outside the station, to get on that and then get the train as it arrived in Bayonne...the buses let me down for the second time! There was a bridge being repaired so quite a big diversion near the centre of Bayonne so we missed the train. It wasn't too bad though as we only had 40 minutes to wait and in that time we decided to get food in order to be able to head straight out into Pau when we arrived back. Was so funny listening to Mandy's first impressions of being abroad, for example, feeling like she needed to close her eyes and hope for the best as we were travelling on the opposite side of the road and how euros seemed like toy money, haha! Bless her!
When we arrived back in Pau we decided to take a taxi back from Pau station given that Mandy had been up since 4.30 in the morning (out of choice- I think possibly due to nerves about the flight), the fact she had her suitcase and bag, and also I wanted to get home after having set off around 8 hours previously. After having changed, shown Mandy round and got her settled in we headed back out into Pau to meet up with some of my friends- probably worked out for the best that they were all English given that Mandy speaks very little French. We came home earlier than normal as we had to be up for her 'surprise' at 5.30am on Saturday morning, which she was led to believe was the time we had to be up to catch the 6.30 train to Toulouse...little did she know me and Kris had been conspiring! Our plan could literally have not worked better! We got up at 5.40 to go and meet Kris from Pau station (or to get the train to Toulouse as I had lead Mandy to believe). She was clearly tired and wanted to stay in bed though as she asked me 'Is there anywhere closer we can go instead of Toulouse?' to which I had to seriously reply 'No, it'll be worth it, believe me', which made her leave the confines of the bed and duvet. The funiculaire wasn't running as you'd expect for ridiculous o clock in the morning, so we had to do the whole journey on foot. Kris texted me as we were walking down the Boulevard to let me know he'd arrived safely....that and to tell us to hurry up! I told Mandy that the text was from my phone company to say my credit was almost up and then once we got to the station Kris stepped out fron behind one of the SNCF machines and all was revealed...couldn't have panned out better, I swear me and Kris could give the Gunpowder plotters a run for their money when it comes to conspiracy! As we had to be back at the station for 8.13 in order to catch the actual train to Toulouse, we then ran home so that Kris could dump his bags and headed back to the station, stopping off for breakfast at La Mie Caline en route...I love that place, the chocolatines are heavenly :)Train was on time so it was all good and soon we were on our way! :)

Laughing out loud at an Egg fight...

Today as my lessons were cancelled due to my students having to sit mock exams I decided to go to the cinema and see LOL, a French film I had wanted to see since my last visit to the cinema when I saw the trailer...was worth waiting for! I really liked it...granted I didn't understand every word, but almost. As with the last time when I talked about my visit to see Slumdog and Inkheart I won't go into detail about the plot so as not to ruin it for anyone who may want to see the film for themselves...but again, highly recommended! It was nice to actually see a French film and not and English/American one that had been dubbed. I must say though that French films are really underrated- having studied a module on French Cinema at uni last year I learnt that French Cinema used to be the equivalent of Hollywood, producing many a classic film due to pioneers such as the Lumiere Brothers and Melies, and the reason as to why it no longer is escapes me...it may be something to do with one or both world wars, but I can't remember. People are missing a trick seriously just because they can't be bothered to read the subtitles if they don't understand...it seems in a way many classics unfortunately will remain unrecognised and potentially undiscovered which is a tragedy in my opinion.

Being at the cinema today has also taught me that I still stand out as being English which is annoying after having lived here for five months...ah well you have to laugh it off, at least he didn't change language though and continued speaking to me in French unlike some people. I suppose it'd be the same with a French person in England, people would automatically be able to tell the difference...ah well, I can but try and improve my accent I suppose or something I don't know...suggestions welcome!

Now to the second part of the title of this blog- the egg fight. Yesterday Lycée Barthou and Lycée Saint-Cricq both had an egg-fight for the Mardi Gras of the Carnaval held in Pau a few weeks ago- only managed to see three days of it due to my trip to Grenoble. In truth the actually day of the Mardi Gras was last Tuesday although as everyone was still on school holidays they had a 'fake' one yesterday in order to not let the occasion pass unmarked. As I have to work on Tuesday afternoons and seriously didn't want to be smelling of egg for the rest of the week I declined to participate though went over to Parc Beaumont to watch- it was one of the maddest things I think I have ever born witness to! That said it did seem to be quite dangerous at times with people running across the road etc, but as with all things of this nature the police showed up (some killjoy must have called them!). Saw some of my students there who wereb't participating but had gone to watch anyway like me and they caught the wrath of a stray waterbomb as did I! Made my day somewhat more interesting I have to say, was so glad it was just water and not an egg though- had it been an egg I may well not have laughed it off, but even so. Something different to take back to England with me :)...

More than 24h in Le Mans (part 3)

Saturday, again had another sneaky few minutes (by that I mean around half an hour to an hour, I don't remember exactly) sleep after hearing my alarm go off before finally rolling out of bed. As I hadn't managed to get to the Préfecture yesterday which I didn't actually manage to see last time either (a first!) that was my first port of call. It was another goregeous day, so even though there was a bus stop not five minutes walk from the hostel, I didn't use it once. I didn't see the point given that I was so close to town anyway, but the weather was glorious which made it a pleasure to walk. To be typically English and talk about the weather yet again, the weather in Le Mans was totally not how I anticipated it to be, I thought the North was going to be a lot colder than in the South, more in keeping with the weather at home as opposed to Mediterranean climes...how wrong was I! Hadn't come completely unprepared though, had t-shirts as well as long-sleeved tops, so hadn't shot myself in the foot :) Walked the same route as the previous day (meant I got to walk down Rue de Bolton, which I walked down quite a number of times during my stay! :P) although once I got to Place de la République I decided to take the tram even though it was only a few more minutes walk...lazy I know, but my reasoning was that on arriving in Le Mans I had bought a ticket for 10 journeys on the tram thinking I may need them in case the hostel was further away than it was or whatever, and I wanted to use as many of the 10 as possible before I came back to Pau, in order to have not having wasted money. Having received a text from Sarah saying they hadn't yet got up and so weren't going to make the 2pm meeting time we had arranged the night before I decided to take my time. Arrived at the Préfecture and again did the whole touristy thing of taking photos...I was slowly but surely coming to the conclusion that as much as you try and blend in with the locals the fact you have a map in one hand and your camera in the other will never quite cut it!

The Préfecture



Something else I was starting to realise was that town halls/council buildings in France are so much nicer looking than at home, give or take the odd one or two. They just look a lot prouder with the national flag flying outside and for the most part they are striking buldings. Don't get me wrong, that isn't to say that I don't think that my fellow countrymen and women aren't patriotic, quite the contrary in fact, but I do think that there is a distinct lack of such things at home, well except for when the World Cup is being contested and you see flags absolutely everywhere!

After having done my photocall at the Préfecture I rang Sarah to find out what was going on and found out that they were on the tram on their way into town, decided to go to the tram stop to wait for them and even then we managed to miss each other! Once we had all met up we went for a wander round the town, as the others hadn't already had the chance to due to being at the conference on Friday and given that the Leeds people wanted a bit of time to do their own thing they had re-arranged to meet up with the French people in the evening. Just going to brush over the afternoon as not too much to speak of, after having wandered round for a bit we met up with the rest of the Leeds lot (who had gone off for a look round as well) and soaked up some of the sun sat in a café in Place de la République.




At 6, we went down to Place de l'Éperon to meet the French people like yesterday, although not all of them were able to make it for various reasons which was a shame and then as we were waiting Sarah received a text from her teacher saying they had to go for a debrief- talk about no warning! Given that I was the only one among us not to have been at the seminar I didn't need to go, although as Sarah had forgotten to bring my shopping with her which I left at her hotel and they didn't know how long they'd be needed for, she suggested I run back up to the hotel to retrieve it given that they had to leave earlier than me to come home the following morning. Knew roughly where I was going from when Sarah came to meet me on Friday night, although I can't have paid much attention given that the first thing I did was get off the tram at the wrong stop! Clever...then had to negotiate my way through the uni to get back to where I needed to be and consequently find the hotel, which I managed to do fairly easily after I had found where I needed to be! Then jumped back on the tram to go and meet them all. It was on my way back that I receieved my phone call from Sandrine (my friend from orchestra) with info about us meeting up, so had a better idea as to what was going on...I'm really not the type of person who likes to be kept in the dark...

Went back to find the others as there was an hour and a quarter until Sandrine would come to find me in Place de la Rép and I knew I wouldn't get to see Sarah and the others after that given that they had to leave at 9 whereas I had my train at midday.
Stayed with them in the restaurant where they had eaten until everyone moved to a bar in the Old Town opposite the Town Hall taking many a photo en route!

Us with the Le Mans 24 statuette



Once at the bar I literally stayed two minutes as I had to head back to wait for Sandrine to come and find me and then go to a bar where another of the orchestra people from 2005 was celebrating his birthday, so it turned out to be quite a reunion! :) In all, there was Sandrine, Cecile (who both stayed with me in Bolton), Guillaume, Gildas and Thibault (who was the one celebrating his birthday). Was so nice to see them all and be able to catch up! Sandrine paid me the biggest compliment ever too which was good by saying 'tu parles commme une francaise' (you speak like a French woman)...evidently all my hard work and effort hasn't been in vain! Had a great night and saw how the French party, which was great. The only disappointment of the night in all honesty was that I had to leave before the end as I had to get back to the hostel to pack up my things and sleep ready to check-out early and then travel back to Pau. Definitely an awesome few days! :)



Won't bore you about the journey back, not much I can say of any interest about 9 and a half hours on a train, but I was knackered when I arrived back on Sunday night...a memorable weekend seeing old friends, making new ones and having lots of fun! :)

More than 24h in Le Mans (part 2)

After having found the Palais de Congrès and reminiscing for a few minutes I decided to wander back into the town centre to try and find the Cathedral which had been eluding me all day...given that it is probably one of the biggest structures/buildings in Le Mans it's quite a difficult thing to do by all accounts! Had a bit of a detour into the Centre de Jacobins Shopping Centre en route though, which again reminded me of when I was there last and after a good mooch round I continued with Operation:Find Cathedral. It was on this mission that I seemed to stumble upon everything at once, the Cathedral, the Hotel de Ville and Avenue de Paderborn which I felt the need to find given that it is our other twin town...sad I know.

Le Mans Cathedral



Even though Aurore (one of the double-bassists from IYP who hosted me during our brief stay in Le Mans in 2005) had taken me round before, I decided to have a look round the Cathedral as again I wanted to take photos due to me forgetting my camera. I wouldnt say I enjoy looking round churches per se, but I love the stained-glass windows, particularly on nice days as it was, when the sun shines through and lights them up. Lit a candle while I was there too :)

One of the many...



One of Le Mans tourist attractions (apart from the race...)



After having looked round the Cathedral I crossed the road to see the Hotel de Ville. When we were with orchestra we had a reception there with the Mayor of Le Mans and some other important people (I forget exactly who as they were so important...), I remember having to translate his speech for some of my friends, although they conveniently understood when they said that the buffet they had put on for us was open...we had a group photo taken outside too maybe for the local newspaper, I don't remember now.



By the time I had finished retracing my steps, it was more or less time to go and meet my penfriend back at the shopping centre. While en route I got a text from Sarah saying that their conference had finished and asking where I was/what I was doing etc, so given that I thought I'd only see her on Saturday, another turn up for the books! When I arrived at Place des Jacobins where Leslie and I had arranged to meet I had a fair idea of who to look for given that I had seen photos, but even when I spotted a potential 'Leslie' I still wasnt 100%, she rang my phone though so problem solved. Was nice to finally meet after having corresponded for around 5 years. We walked and talked as we went back up to Place de la République, before she decided to show me her favourite shop. On leaving the shop she told me we were off to meet her friend who she usually meets on Fridays at the time she was with me and then all three of us went to the patisserie to buy a pastry to have a mini picnic in the park. We stayed there until it started to get cool and the girls had to shoot off to be elsewhere, but they gave me a lift up to the university which was next to the hotel where Sarah and the others were staying which was nice. Really glad to have finally been able to meet up and hopefully will meet up again soon if I get the chance to head back up North before heading home :)

Sarah came to meet me and bless her, she hadn't brought a coat so was freezing when I arrived! So we rather quickly walked back to the hotel where the others were getting ready to go out, I on the other hand hadnt been back to my hostel since leaving that morning so wasn't exactly looking my best, but never mind. Used some of Sarah's perfume, brushed my hair etc, so could have been worse. Once sorted, we all convened in James' room given that for some reason it seemed to be bigger than all the others...there's always one! It was the same when I was in halls at my uni a few years ago!

Given that there was already arrangements, I relied on them all to let me know what was what, the first being that we were going to a restaurant in town with the French people from the seminar. We got on the tram to Place de l'Epéron which was the designated meeting place (where I had also been earlier in the day by coincidence) and the French people were there waiting for us, where I had to be introduced to everyone yet again as I was the only one there who hadn't been at the seminar during the day...I'm pretty sure Sarah got fed up of having to repeat herself! Had a great meal at the restaurant, conversation was interesting I have to say! haha :) Learnt some new french words/phrases from the French people too which is always useful!

Dash, Sarah and Me in Le Bistro



After settling the bill, we reconvened outside to decide where to go for drinks. Given that I had only been to one bar in Le Mans, I, just like all the other Leeds people relied on the locals as to where to go. They initially decided to take us to an Irish bar on Place de la République given that it was virtually on the doorstep of the restuarant and then decide whether to go somewhere else afterwards. Once we had made one huge table out of more or less all the little tables in the room and had all bought a beverage of some variety, James decided to teach the French that good old English game of trying to throw a coin into someone's glass, initially he didn't let on as to what he was doing, but people soon realised and joined in...always good for a laugh, especially if people really aren't anticipating it! :)

After that we went to another bar before calling it a night and making arrangements as to what we were going to do on Saturday, as there were a number of us who decided to leave at once Mégan, being the gentleman that he is drove the other girls back to their hotel given that they had missed the last tram and I walked back to the hostel on strict instruction from Sarah to text her when I arrived to let her know I was back safely. Retired to bed tired, though feeling quite accomplished having had an awesome day :)

More than 24h in Le Mans! (part 1)

Last night I arrived back from Le Mans where I spent the weekend and it was brilliant! :) Weird as it sounds it was kind of planned but also kind of spontaneous (I fully realise that this is a contradiction in terms)...I'll explain, in January I received a letter from Sarah, one of my friends from university saying she had to go to a conference in Le Mans at the end of February and did I fancy a weekend up there to see her/catch-up, so I agreed (hence the kind of planned bit. The spontaneity was that it ended up depending on whether I got paid in time which fortunately I did when I checked my account at midnight last Wednesday night, a rather excitable phone call to Sarah followed, and then I hurriedly booked train tickets/accommodation given that I had to be up at 7 and by the time I had finished sorting it all out extremely last minute it was half one, so didnt get that much sleep which isnt good when travelling.

Anyway, now that I have explained all that I can get on with writing about the weekend itself...this could be quite a long post, haha! :)

Arrived in Le Mans late Thursday afternoon after having taken three trains (one of which I'd have missed if it wasn't for the fact it was running late) and travelling for 9 hours. Had very little idea as to where my hostel actually was, although I knew from having rang while I was in Nantes that I had to take the tram to République...having said that, my first thought was that I seriously didn't remember there being a tram when I was there four years ago! Ah well, anyway, following the instructions I managed to get to République, but then completely forgot the directions they had given me from there, so had to make another phone call and then not long after had checked in, got my room (which I had to myself even though there were two beds!). After having a look round the hostel to find my bearings I ventured back out into Le Mans given that I was only 10-15 minutes walk from the centre and it was still light. Wasn't long before I considered bed given that I was so tired from not that much sleep the previous night and a long time travelling, plus I wanted to get up to re-trace my steps around Le Mans on Friday morning! As a rule I refuse to lie-in when I visit somewhere, I don't see the point in paying to be somewhere if you're just going to spend the majority of the time you're there in bed! Anyway, got into bed and was just drifting off to sleep when I got a text from one of my French friends saying she was around and wanted to meet up! Was so excited given that the last time we saw each other was when we were on tour 4 years ago (will explain this in more detail further on...), so a good end to a tiring day!

Friday, got up, albeit not at my alarm (snatched another hour's sleep, I needed it!). Was a gorgeous day, so in order to be able to retrace my steps from my last visit I made my way to the tourist office on foot to pick up some info and a map (this seems to have become a habit of mine when I go places...) and thus my trip down memory lane began! It didn't take long before I came across something familiar...the shopping centre opposite the tourist office I remembered visiting during my last visit, so I knew everything else had to be close by. I continued down the side streets by the centre and then found the Le Mans 24 Statuette, which again I remembered...well given that the 24 hour race is one of the things Le Mans is famous for, if not the most famous thing, it would be quite difficult to forget about it.




There were also plaques of the hand and foot prints of previous winners of the race



I had a list of places I wanted to revisit given that when I was on tour and we did a concert in Le Mans in 2005 I left my camera at home...genius! When I say on tour, I don't mean singing or dancing or whatever, I doubt anyone would come if that was the case. Every two years, the orchestras of Bolton and it's two twin towns, Le Mans (France) and Paderborn (Germany) unite for two weeks and tour the three towns performing a concert in each and I had the opportunity to be part of the International Youth Philharmonic Orchestra (or IYP for short) where I played the viola in 2005, hence my previous visit to Le Mans. Given that we had to rehearse and prepare for our concert it would be fair to say that I didnt get to appreciate the town that much when I was there in 2005, it was literally a whistle-stop tour of the town as we only had two days before we had to leave and travel to Paderborn to perform.

My first port-of-call I intended to be the Cathedral, which I initially found quite difficult to find. That said, I thought I had found it until I looked at the map and realised that what I had found was the Eglise de la Visitation in the Old Town- I admit it did take me a while to realise that it wasn't actually the Cathedral...



Given that I was already in the Old Town I decided to explore as not only am I majorly interested in History, I also thought that the place had a lot of character. I found a Tudor-style (I have forgotten the techincal term, so that'll do :P) house that I loved. Just to show you how contrary a person I actually am, I would either have as my ideal house/home an old house with a lot of history or a brand new chic apartment...from one extreme to the other...

I then decided to go in search of the place where we performed our concert in Le Mans, the Palais de Congres as I saw some signs for it, so knew I must be nearby, again, wasn't as easy as I thought but soon managed it. I do actually miss being on stage, there was something about concerts, the adrenaline and the buzz you get from performing that I loved. If time allowed I'm sure I'd still play now, that and if the musicians at uni weren't as snobby as they are...fond memories nontheless though and I do still play when I get chance :)



Whilst I was looking for the Palais de Congres I got a reply to a message I had sent to one of my penfriends the night before who is from Le Mans (well, obviously) saying that she was available and wanted to meet up a few hours later, which was great. We have been penfriends for around five years though never met, so was quite excited at the prospect I have to say!