First day

Today was the first day I had one of the boys on my own, yesterday L was with me all day and this morning F was home before work. It was nice to finally see how I would cope alone without any help and to be honest it wasn't as scary as I thought it would be! One thing I will say though is...by god these kids have energy. After dropping N at school J and I did some painting (four big pictures) and I taught him how to do the butterfly trick which he loved. Then we had some lunch, fresh hot chicken that F brought home from la supermarche and mash potato which over here they call "puree" which at first confused the hell out of me.

J was desperate to get back out on his bike as he is currently trying to learn to ride without stabilisers and is getting better everyday, won't be long until the come off! We went for an hour and a half bike ride but as the back break on mine is still broken and we are waiting for a new part I had to run along side, thank god I wore trainers and shorts as it was really warm here today. J did really well on his bike and only fell a few times, then we came home for a cup of tea and a bit of night at the museum 2 which J loved, before heading off to collect N from school.

Note to self don't take J on the bike next time, it was much much busier because of the end of school, there were cars everywhere and although J is very sensible it made me very nervous! After standing at the wrong gate for a while we eventually found N. I met one English au pair but typically she is leaving tomorrow, there is a Canadian and an American girl though apparently. I have seen the Canadian girl, she seems nice so will have to try and speak to her tomorrow.

The boys only have school in the morning tomorrow and L is off so if I get some time off I am going to explore ML, buy some stuff for my room and maybe visit la bibliotechque. Right now however I am absolutely shattered and am going to have an expresso followed by a large bubble bath and bed with a film. Bliss.

A demain...x

Maisons-Laffitte

We finally arrived last night (the previous post was actually from Thursday 26th) and although anxious I was so happy to see L again. We had a lovely dinner followed by some wine and champagne - we are in France remember, it is expected! Popped to town to get my new sim card sorted so I am now officially living in France with a new mobile number. For all my English friends don't worry my English sim still works but I only check it in the evening.

This morning I said goodbye to mum and dad, of course mum got a little upset but was much more reassured after seeing the town and meeting L. L and I then went to town to get some bread from the boulangerie and buy my train tickets to Paris for the next few weeks. After a delicious salad for lunch L went to collect the boys and F from the airport as they have been in the South of France with their grandparents for almost a month. I took the opportunity of this free time to unpack my room properly and get settled in. Everything is now unpacked and I am feeling much more at home! I have such a big room it was hard to know where to put things...

Tomorrow L has the day off so we are going to get the boys sorted so that they are ready to begin school again on Tuesday and Wednesday. I don't start French lessons in Paris until September 27th so I will mainly be exploring this week. I have already found an english cinema so that when Yasmin arrives we can go and watch some movies!

Right the boys are here and J has just come to my door to say hello, au revoir for now xxx

The journey begins!

And so the journey begins...we have just left the family home in Teignmouth which was a bit harder than I thought it would be. It's strange, somehow going away to university for three years didn't feel like much of a challenge compared to this. I suppose it's because when we finished our A levels we were all going off in similar directions - university or travelling. Now most of us have graduated (and the majority returned home for jobs or to remain financially stable until we find a job) it is harder to move away again. At first I was apprehensive but I seemed to slip back into life at home with my friends so easily and I have to say if you lot are reading this you really are amazing! I have so many good memories of this summer - meals with you all, cinema trips, nights out, stepbrothers banter but most of all just being in each other's company. I am very lucky to have such incredible friends and lets hope I meet some more just like you in Paris so I'm not too lonely!

And my little sister, yes we both have our moments but she really is the best sister a girl could ask for. I will really miss her in the next few months and saying bye to her and Callum was really really hard. Excuse me for a second it appears I have some grit caught in my eye...

Anyway, on a happier note...I am on the way to Paris, or the city of Love as it is more commonly known! Our ferry leaves at 11pm - the time now being 9.45pm and we are en route. I am listening to a French song called "Alors on danse" which was kindly recommended to me by someone who appreciates music as much as I do! I am attempting to translate it and also get into the French music scene, it actually seems to be improving now I am beginning to understand the content of the song! I am looking forward to finally getting on the ferry, we have some sort of Club Cabin which has beds in, a tv and a bathroom so looks like we are set for a good night's kip! It feels far too long since I went on a ferry, we always seem to fly everywhere, sometimes I wonder why everyone is in such a hurry to get everywhere nowadays? I love ferries...well it's more the water

aspect of the trip that I enjoy so much. You can't beat standing on the deck of a ferry with the wind in your face and your ipod in your ears watching the sea unfold around you. Pure bliss honestly, if you haven't tried it before, give it a go.

Looks like we are already nearly in Plymouth as most of you who know me well know my dad likes to drive quickly (and safely I must add to be fair to him). Note to Lyds...if you ever want to get somewhere faster than would seem possible - go with Dad, he's got this driving thing sussed. Didn't manage to get all my music onto my ipod so the corners of my bags are now filled with extras, wishing I had "Sitting on the Dock of the bay" on it already as it would seem appropriate for what I will be doing shortly. Instead will have to settle for Mumford&Sons...something introduced to me by my good friend Gabriella who insisted that I should give the band a chance (so thankyou). To add to my earlier note about nearly being in Plymouth, we are but unfortunately there are road works so Dad is lost which is, of course, Mum's fault. I haven't got a clue where we are but to be honest I just want to get into the cabin now and get comfortable in bed...me, myself and my new iPod.

This is my first real blog so apologies if I am a bit rusty...will write again tomorrow.

Bon nuit mes amis xxx