Tag Archives: French

A long soak (Rousse)

The Manor House bathroom overlooked the grounds towards the bay. Here JM and I took a long afternoon soak. Meanwhile TPR was elsewhere (most likely working on code). When it was finally time to get out, a French student brought … Continue reading

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Lobbying the Scottish Government: in person, on a Sunday, face-to-face, in French (Rousse)

So impressed were we of RG’s athletic feat that we lobbied the Head of the Scottish Government – in person, on a Sunday, face-to-face, in French – to mark her achievement with a line of text carved in stone at … Continue reading

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George Clooney and a Sisters of Mercy lookalike above the snow line (Rousse)

We were going camping with our French friends above the snow line in the north west of Scotland. Access to the site was via Forestry Commission trails, first on the dirt track along the shoreline of the loch, then up … Continue reading

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Distracted by next season’s fashion must-haves and Harry Potter in French (Rousse)

At the height of summer I was living in North Berwick and working in Edinburgh, desperate to finish the data analysis and write-up of my second PhD. On the days that I couldn’t cadge a lift along the by-pass with … Continue reading

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Belle and Rousse to reunite (Rousse)

Belle plotted to return to her old job and arrange for me to join her. I explained that I would need at least a year to prepare for my return to London. There was the small issue of my degree … Continue reading

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French at the University of Birmingham (Rousse)

The Birmingham University campus was unrecognisable. It was so hi tech – and the main library had been flattened. SH was still top of the class, and I a complete dunce. I wondered whether there would be time for me … Continue reading

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A French language refresher course in Paris (Rousse)

I accepted the offer of a place in Paris to undertake a six-month long refresher course in French. Although downhearted at the prospect of a long time apart, TPR kindly accompanied me to France to help me settle in. The … Continue reading

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Full moon in seaside spectacle (Rousse)

TPR was impatient that we leave as soon as possible so as not to miss the spectacle of the full moon over the sea. I packed my bikini and a spare jumper then jumped into the back of the car … Continue reading

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Secrets of Sir Ian Brindley’s affair hidden in porridge (Rousse)

My cousin B finally revealed the solemn secret that she had been harbouring for years. During the war my grandfather had been in a relationship with Sir Ian Brindley. ‘There’s further information in there’, she said, pointing to the museum. … Continue reading

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Paris waves freeze on last day of finals (Rousse)

I took my last final exam on the day that the Paris waves froze. My entire cohort was gathered there in summer dresses – even DM, slim and beautiful in red, yellow and blue. I had done no revision at … Continue reading

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