Tuesday 13th May

Started the day with what I thought would be a quick trip to Cafe Cheri to sort insurance. Ha, I ended up being there for 3 hours, and having a cafe frappe, a diabolo and a croque monsieur. And then when I’d finally sorted the insurance nothing came through in my email to confirm it, so I waited as long as I could until the laptop ran out of battery. Looks like i’ll be going back tomorrow. I then popped into to FNAC to print off some photos and buy a french dictionary for my work, went to the art shop to buy PVA but they didn’t have any (I don’t think france uses glue!) and then headed for the art school to collect the girls paintings. I first got Grace’s which had been taken off the wall and chucked on a pile of stuff and then went to the attic studio. The two finished paintings came off the wall nice and easily and I rolled them up and tied them with a piece of string. Then I tackled Mary’s big painting which was slightly stuck to the wall but came off without too much effort. Finally it was Liz’s big painting. It took about 15 minutes to get off the board. The paint had gone through the fabric and acted like a glue. There was another student working nearby and he must have thought I was crazy tugging this painting off the wall. Eventually it came off, and with only a couple of tears and I rolled it up with bits of board still stuck to it. Then I had to get back home. I had my bag, my laptop, 5 rolled up paintings, an i-pod dock, a bag of paints and the stuff i’d bought from FNAC. It was trés interessant, and I had lots of funny stares as I walked home. I spent the evening doing some more work, sorting out washing (I may as well head home with some clean clothes) and started packing. Dad arrives tomorrow evening - that seems so weird.

Monday 12th May

Well, I think todays entry will be a little shorter than yesterdays! My first job of the day was to collect Mary and Liz and Grace’s paintings from the art school which they hadn’t been able to do because the school was closed on friday. And guess what, the door was locked again. I am trés confused and hope that it is open tomorrow. I can’t think of a reason why it would be closed. Feeling a bit bewilded I wandered home, intending to walk past the Melville to see if there were any films on I wanted to see. Halfway there a man, who looked a little lost, came up to me and babbled away in french. I just thought he was asking for diections so said ‘je ne comprend pas, je suis anglais’, and he then proceeded to ask me why I was in Rouen (why does that always happen). I said I had been studying here for three months and added that I was leaving tomorrow because he seem a bit stalkerish, and started to walk towards home. He followed me and then he said in a mixture of french and english ‘I am 26, quel age a tu? Café?’ Oh dear god, how to get out of this one. ‘Non, merci. I have a lot of work to do’. ‘Where do you work?’ Yep, a stalker. ‘Pardon, I must go, au revoir’ I said and briskly walked towards Cathedral square and the crowds. I never did find out what was on at the cinema. Later that day, as I was doing some work, Dad sent a text saying I needed to sort insurance for the car asap and so I headed out to Cafe Cheri. It was closed too. Very strange. Maybe it was a bank holiday I didn’t know about? Anyway, not to waste a trip outside I went and sat in my little square and read a book in the sun for about 45 minutes, before home, tea, work and bed.

Sunday 11th May

Check in for the girls flight was at 8.50 so we had an early start. We checked out and had to wait 20 minutes for the next shuttle. We got talking to two texans who had spent the week in france. Eventually the bus arrived and we were heading for the airport, where we found the easy jet check in and the girls got in line. They were at the desk for ages and Grace chucked me this green gel stuff that she couldn’t take on board (I still don’t know what it is). Both Mary and Graces bags were overweight so they had to pay charges. While I was waiting, two horrible americans who looked as though they were quite rich and didn’t care about anyone but themselves, had a go at the airline man about how their flight had been closed. Well you should have gotten to the airport on time you stupid americans. I gave them an evil stare as they walked past! After the girls had finished checking in, we said good bye and they went through security. I, on the other hand, headed towards the RER and my day out in Paris. The day didn’t start too well. It turns out you can’t use the normal metro tickets for getting into Paris so I had to queue in a long line for the ticket machine. And then, when I got to the front it turned out the card machine wasn’t working and you can’t use notes and I didn’t have enough change so I had to queue again at another machine. Luckily this one accepted cards and armed with my ticket I headed through the barrier and onto the RER. My first stop was a walking tour of Montmartre which i’d found in my guidebook. It started at Blanche metro station where I saw the Moulin Rouge (a bit disappointing) and wound its way through the beautiful cobbled streets, and staircases to the Sacré Coeur and the amazing view over Paris. My God it was busy though. I practically had to push my way though the hoards of tourists to the steps and I made my was down to the bottom, avoiding all the salesmen selling tacky tourist souvenirs. Today was boiling (about 28’c) and I realised I hadn’t had anything to eat (it was now about 1pm) so I had a delicious ice-cream to cool me down before heading to Abbesses Metro station (with the famous sign above it) and to Gare St Lazare. No, I wasn’t going home yet but wanted to check that the trains were running. Yep they were, phew, so I bought a ticket for 8pm ce soir. My next stop was The Grand Boulevards, which my guide book had said had some nice shops, especially ones which contained old books which is what I need for my project. Unfortunately I forgot it was Sunday so there wasn’t a lot open. Oh well, it was nice to see a different bit of Paris. After this I caught the metro to the Arc de Triomphe and had a wander down the Champs-Élysées. By this point my feet were killing me and after a look at them I discovered I had aquired several blisters - nice. It was time for a rest. A minute later I was sitting in the first Starbucks i’d seen in France eating a Croque Monsieur and drinking a cafe frappucino. You may ask why I didn’t go to a proper french cafe. The truth is I feel a lot more comfortable in somewhere I recognise when sitting on my own, and many of the smaller cafes were packed anyway. What did get me annoyed is that after I had ordered in french, the waitress answered in english - is my french really that bad?! After the grateful fuel stop, I walked a little further down the Champs-Élysées to the next metro stop, and headed to St Paul where I had read about a Photography gallery. I nearly didn’t go because of my feet, but i’m glad I did. It was a lovely gallery set on 4 floors and had two large exhibitions by different photographers. It was also lovely and cool. Then I got back on the metro and took a trip to the Centre Pompidou. I didn’t bother going inside, the queue was ginormous, but I think the outside looked very unique and interesting. The square surrounding it was covered in sunbathing people eating ice-creams and I considered joining them but then I saw a sign to Halles and I followed that instead. At the Forum des Halles I stopped of at a cafe for a refreshing Diabolo and to rest my feet, and then it was on to Église St-Eustache where I sat in the sun for nearly an hour, watching kids play on the massive stone head outside the church and in the water feature. Not sure that is such a good idea though as the water seemed very icky. I decided I had done enough for the day and headed back to St Lazare where there was another Starbucks (I hadn’t seen it last time I went to Paris) and so I had a bagel and a cafe glacé while doing some sketching. Then it was back to Rouen. In france you have to put your ticket in a yellow machine before you board the train. Usually the machine will make a whirring noise and the date and time will get printed on the ticket. Mine didn’t make any noise, and when the conductor came round he noticed and looked at me quizzically. ‘I did it, but it didn’t work’ I said in english, so I could pretend I was new in france if need be. He then looked at me in way that said ‘I will let you off this time’ and proceeded on his way. I don’t understand why you put it in the machine to start with. They still punch a hole in the ticket on their way round. Anyway, after an eventful day I finally got home, nursed my feet, spoke to mum who rang, and headed for bed.

Saturday 10th May

Had a fairly quiet morning, packing for my one night away and reading. Got a downer when Grace rang and said there maybe only one car going and so I mite not be able to join them. Luckily for me, there was no way that they could fit four people and all their luggage in one car so two had to be taken. At 2.00, the girls came over and dropped a few bags off that they couldn’t take with them, and we all raced back to help Grace finish tiding the flat before Martin and Stan arrived at 2.30. At about 2.20, Kevin arrived to collect the key but we weren’t ready and he had to catch a train so Grace arranged to drop it through his letterbox. 15 minutes later we were sitting in the cars (Liz, Grace and I in Martin’s car and Mary and the bags in Stan’s), on the way to Paris. It took about an hour to get to the holiday Inn. Well it did for us anyway. Stan and Mary got lost. While we waited we checked ourselves in and after Mary had arrived took all the bags up to the room. It was a lovely room with two double beds, a tv, and a big bathroom. Then it was back downstairs to Martin and Stan and we went to look for a cafe. There was nothing open, and it was a saturday. Very weird. We did pass a big wedding though so came to the conclusion maybe everyone was there! So after saying goodbye, and giving them some petrol money we went and relaxed before heading back down for some supper an hour later. Oh, and dad rang, he’s found a sliver seicento in good condition so I should have a car when I return. It was a very posh supper to. The hotel restaurant had silver cutlery, white table cloths and waiters in jackets. We drank posh white wine which was place in a stand on the floor ice bucket, and Liz and I had stuffed chicken with potatoes and asparagus which was in a tempura batter, while Mary and Grace had a large bowl of salad, a cheese plate and some frites. The restaurant didn’t actually have any vegetarian main course. We decided not to have a dessert at that point, as we very stuffed, but thought we might order it on room service later. Instead, we went and changed and head to the fitness centre in the hotel and spent a good hour in the whirlpool and sauna, before heading back upstairs and watching half of ‘The Island’. It turned out we were all exhausted and couldn’t keep our eyes open so switched off the film and went to sleep pretty early at about midnight.

Friday 9th May

This evening we were invited to a leaving party the boys were throwing at Guilliums house. Someone forgot to tell me that the time we were meeting had changed so I arrived at Graces two hours early, only to walk home again. It was back to Graces at 9.45 and at about 10.15 we walked over to Gus’s house, getting a little lost on the way. Never mind, its good to be late to your own party! There were about 20 people there, half I knew. half I didn’t, wine, couscous, music. One girl was very drunk and ended up falling into the bushes. Then we found out that there were no trains running tomorrow, so we had no way of getting to Paris. Luckily Martin and a guy called Stan came to the rescue and offered to drive us to Paris. Grace left before us, she hadn’t even started packing, at about 2.15, while Mary, Liz and I stayed on, before we all and leave because the neighbour had complained about the noise to the police - oops. We had a very eventful walk into town. Mika and his friend Alex decided to try flying and do piggy backs on each other and there were a few tumbles. Mika ended up cutting his hand. Then two others proceeded to climb into a cardboard box and walk down the road, then they ripped the box and pretended to protest about something, and then Mika decided to put a another ox on his head. It was eventful. And at the same time, Me, Liz and Mary kept trying to say goodbye bye to Mika but he wouldn’t let us and kept running away. Eventually we agrees to walk to the river and say goodbye there, so me, Liz, Mary, Mika, Charlie, Gus and a nameless one (sorry really bad at names), walked down to the river, and sat in a playground, which was occupied by a homeless man who asked if he could have a cigarette and the nameless one had a chat with him. It turns out he has lived in quite a few countries. At about 4.30 we decided to go home and we walked back towards my house. At the square we got stopped by some drunken holiday makers, who were speaking french but could have been from africa. They showed us there bum wiggling dancing and we ended up in a ‘where is Brian?’ conversation. ‘He is in the kitchen!’. We finally made to to my door at 5am.

Thursday 8th May

Got woken up at 9.00 this morning by a disco going on downstairs. Seeing that I didn’t get to bed until 6.15am yesterday I was not pleased. It was like having my laptop music on as loud as it will go and place right by my ear. The problem was that it was too hot to close the windows so I just had to put up with it. Actually its happening again right now while i’m writing this. Oh God, they’re playing the same music as well. Maybe i’ll have a who can play their music the loudest contest! There we go, i’ve drowned out their music with a bit of the beach boys. Only problem now is that I cant hear myself think. By jove, I think it worked - they have turned it down! Well after properly getting up at 12.30 I have done some washing, started my essay and done some more sketchbook. Damn now they have turned it up again. I think in a bit I will take my book and go and sit in the sun while its still in the sky. I’m getting a nice watch mark! AHHGGGHHHH, TURN IT DOWN!!! I think I need to get out just for some peace and quiet!!

Wednesday 7th May

Started today with an early trip to Cafe Cheri where we booked the Holiday Inn at Charles De Gaulle airport for saturday night. The girls are have an early flight home on sunday and so have decided to go to Paris the night before and I decided to join them and then have a day in Paris on Sunday. See a bit more of Paris before I go home. So, after Cafe Cheri, we had a quick look in the art museum and then moi and Mary had an appointment with Patricia to look over our french talks. It went well and she said we are welcome back anytime if we want to come to Rouen again. Most definitely. Grace, Liz and I then spent the rest of the afternoon sitting on the island playing cards and sketching. As part of their assessment the other girls have to exhibit their work in some way or another and so it was decided that a private view/leaving party hosted at Grace’s would be the best thing to do. So, this evening we all put up their work, got some nibbles and wine and had a gathering of people including John and Annabel (who we met at the Go! Team concert), Mika, Charlie, Timotei, Martin, Morgane, another Timotei, Lorraine, and Kevin. It was basically another guitar night, punch, beer, and a very late night. Me, Mary and Mika finally went home at about 5.30am, leaving only John and Liz still there. Walking home, I think the sun was actually rising and the birds had started singing.

Tuesday 6th May

English class! Well, more of a how was your holiday, here are some questions i’ve translated, and come to a gathering at 5.00pm for wine and cake. It was nice seeing some of the art students again though, even if briefly. After the short meeting Mary, Grace and I (Liz is in bed ill), went and sat by the river. It was boiling today and sitting by the water seemed to make the air cooler - or not. There was no wind at all so the heat was like a blanket. We are all a lot browner tonight. When we started to feel dizzy from the heat we went and and had a diabolo (lemonade and grenadine) in a cafe to cool down before heading over to the art school for the tea party. It was lovely. Lots of students we knew were there, Patricia and Christine. There was wine and beer and loads of cakes, biscuits etc. We had bought two meringues, five crispy cakes and 12 croquettes ourselves. Christine gave us a little present of black cat brooches and said we must go and have a cup of tea with her before we go. We will go tomorrow and take petite cadeau. As we were dispersing to go home we gave Patricia a thank you card and a present of chocolates I had bought this morning from my nearby chocolate shop. She loved them, and said we must keep in touch with her. Then this evening we had a night at Graces listening to music, eating cheese and bread and playing the guitar with the windows wide open. Back home I had front row tickets to a Muse concert. It was being played loudly in the flat opposite, and with their window open and mine I could hear everything.

Monday 5th May

Went to Cafe Cheri this morning, and met Mary and Liz. Liz has a sore throat. Then I went back to the flat and tried to do some work. I couldn’t concentrate so I ended up listening to podcasts and having a nap. My head was feeling all groggy, almost like a migraine. It could have been the weather. It was really warm and humid - the air felt heavy. At about 4.30 I decided that some fresh air might do me good and set out on a mission to find some jeans or other trousers. One pair of mine have just died. The mission didn’t go very well. Found some perfect jeans but they had them in the wrong sizes, so I ended up buying a top instead. It will be really nice for the summer. I wish i had my floppy linen trousers ad flip-flops here. Thats what I need in this heat. Back at the flat I had a light tea of veg and fruit and settled down to watch ‘Erin Brockovitch’ - oh yeah, i bought a new dvd too, and went to bed at 10, which is the earliest night yet in Rouen.

Sunday 4th May

We had decided to go and visit the Monet Gardens at Giverney today, and had arranged to catch the 10:09 train. However, Mary and Grace went to a barbecue at Guilliums last night and didn’t get home until 7.00am. Grace was up in time but Mary had slept through her alarm, and we couldn’t get hold of Liz at all. This meant we missed the first train but undeterred we bought tickets for the next train, and nearly ended up somewhere far away because the ticket lady had heard us wrong. Then we had a hot chocolate sitting outside (it was very hot again, not so sunny but really humid), and caught the 12:00 instead. It was 40 minutes to Vernon, where we hired bikes from a jolly cafe owner, who gave them to us cheaper, and we set out on the short ride to Giverney. We got lost at first, and missed the cycle path we were meant to go on and ended up heading up a really steep rock path in a wood. At the top of the path we came to a road and headed back into Vernon to start again. I’d seen a sign for the museum earlier so we followed this, but it also didn’t seem right as it was on a main-ish road. Half way there we found the right cycle path. We had probably cycled straight past the entrance. 10 minutes later we arrived in Giverney and decided to have a spot of lunch before going to the gardens. Mary chose a B+B who did lunches. It was a beautiful place. A really old house surrounded by a beautiful garden, complete with a stream and bridges, 3 peacocks (two which were white) and two wallaby’s. Mary overheard some aussies saying ‘D’you think thats a kangaroo? No, I think its a wallaby mate’. We had a lovely lunch of homemade salads sitting at a little iron table on a gravel courtyard overlooking the stream. We could have stayed there all day. However we had come to see the gardens so headed onto the car park and chained up the bikes. The queue was ginormous for the Monet stuff so we left it for the time being so we had an ice-cream and had a look in the American Art Museum. It was actually just nice to be out of the heat and in a cool building. By the time we came out, the queue for the Monet gardens was much shorter and we went in. Its very beautiful. One side is very formal, with little paths amongst rows of flower beds. And the other is quite tropical looking, with the lily ponds, bamboo trees and japanese type bridges. It was definitely my favourite of the two. After this we headed back to Vernon and lazed on a grassy bank on the edge of the Seine. Our train wasn’t until 8.45 so we had a while. At about 7.15 we took the bikes back to the cafe and had a drink and some chips before catching the train back to Rouen. Back in Rouen we all went home to drop of our stuff and we rang Liz and we all met up by the Cathedral for a walk along the river. Its very beautiful in the dark and it was so warm still. I didn’t even need a jumper. An hour later, Liz was hungry and hadn’t eaten so we went to QUICK (like a McDonalds), which wasn’t very quick and she got some food, and Grace, Mary and I got milkshakes and we went back to my room for an hour looking at photos and chatting.

Saturday 3rd May

Morgane told me that the art school was having an open day so Mary and I went to check it out this morning. Liz and Grace had gone on an impromptu trip with Mika to a house party in Paris last night! On the way there I passed some english woman who said while looking at the Gros Horloge, ‘it’s a bit like Chester isn’t it dear, only french stylie’. That made my morning! The open day was basically like any other day at the art school. Students working in their studios etc, but there were lots of people wandering about and a drinks stall in the courtyard. We had a quick look around and then decided to go and have a drink and a bite to eat, so we went to a cafe in the little square near mine and I had a Croque Madam and Mary had a cheese salad. Did I tell you it was amazingly hot and sunny today. The paper said it was going to be 23 degrees and I think it was. I ended up actually burning my shoulders. After lunch we walked down to the river and spent a couple of hours sitting in the grass sunning ourselves. And guess who appeared out of no-where. Roller boy with the foot fetish. Because he had already seen my feet (‘Ah, oui, L’hotel de Ville, non?), it was Mary’s turn. It was funny watching the change in her expression from ‘this is not too bad’ to ‘Ok, this is getting very weird’ just as mine had probably done. After a while we made our excuses, and went to a cafe to get another drink followed by a little bit of shopping. Then we went back to our separate flats to have a bite to eat and a shower, and met up again at Le Melville where we went to see ‘The Darjeeling Limited’. Yep, for the second time, but it was just as funny. And now i’m back at the flat, writing this blog having just done some guitar practise, and will probably try and finish watching ‘Howard’s End’ later. Its only taken 3 days!

Friday 2nd May

The weather was beautiful today. Really warm and sunny, so I did my chores, photos at FNAC and water from Monoprix (which took ages because the girl on the cash desk was learning), and then took my sketchbook and sat by the river, doing some work while watching roller bladers, cyclists and passers by. When I felt like I might get heat stroke, I went back to the flat for a bit and played the guitar, and then took my book and sat on my wall in the square. The kids were there again with the tiny dog, which nearly got run over by a van. Back home I had supper and then got settled with a cup of tea and began to watch ‘Howards End’ again. This time I managed to get about half way through when Morgane knocked on the door and said would I like to join her party. The film would have to wait! She had about 10 people there, some who i’d met at the last party and some who I recognised from the art school. One, who i didn’t recognise but goes to the art school, did an exchange to Norwich last year so we had a chat about city. At 11.40, the new neighbour came and knocked on the door and said could we turn the music down because they were trying to sleep. They are probably the only ones asleep at that time in the whole of Rouen. I also had a nice chat with Morgane and she told me about the trip to New York. Apparently they went into the Apple store drunk and one girl was sick on the security mans shoe. They blamed it on a dodgy burger! I finally gave up trying to stay awake at 2am, but I think the party continued for a while after that.

Thursday 1st May

Only 15 days till I go home. Half of me is happy and half of me is sad. I’ll miss my room, even if it was awkward, I will miss living on my own and the laid back culture, and Cafe Cheri, but I will be happy to see everyone again and not have to think about what i’m saying all the time. So, today I woke up late. Not surprising really and tried to do some critical studies. Then I ventured out thinking i’d pop into FNAC and print some photos and check my emails at Cafe Cheri. Ha, forgot it was a bank holiday. Yep, on a thursday, how weird is that? Everything was closed. However I remembered the power boats so I had a wander down to the river. Woah, I think everyone in Rouen was there. The quays were full of people, food stalls and fairground rides, and the two bridges were covered in people. On one bridge there was a big screen and a commentary was being played out over a big speaker. I got there at the right time and saw the end of the race, which was 24 hours round and round the island. I don’t know who won but at the end all the team members sat on top of the boats and did a slow lap waving flags and with everyone clapping. Then, because I had my laptop with me I went to Flunch, which was open, and checked my emails over a fruit salad. Back at the flat, after getting soaked by a downpour, I settled down to an evening of art. At 9pm I decided to watch ‘Howard’s End’ and had just got settled with a cup of tea when Liz phoned and said that they were going to the cinema at 9.30, would I like to join them. So I gulped down my tea and headed into the night to meet Mary, Liz, Grace, Mika, Charlie and Timotei. The film, we found out, didn’t actually start until 9.55 so I could have had a bit longer at home but oh well. We saw ‘Iron Man’ which is basically across between Transformers and Power Rangers, where a man who is very technological, creates a suit of iron and tries to save the world by ends up fighting his buddy instead. Apparently according to Charlie it was quite funny, but seeing that it was in french I didn’t get most of the jokes - will have to watch it in english. Outside the cinema we said goodbye to Mika and Timotei and Grace decided have a piggy back ride on Liz. It was all going well until they both fell backwards, Liz landing on Grace and Grace hitting her head on the pavement, ouch, and then laughing hysterically. It was time to go home!

Wednesday 30th April

Started today doing a lot of work. Doing more if the photo book and reading some critical studies texts. All morning though, I could hear an annoying buzzing sound which to me sounded like the speed boats you get on Oulton Broad. At lunchtime the others phoned and asked if I wanted to join them shopping so off I went out into the rain - yep, its raining again. After a little wander, and a bit of decision making outside Claire’s Accessories about ear piecing we went to the Tarte Tatin for a spot of lunch, forgetting we were going out to supper later. Apparently while I was in the toilet, Mary and Liz had dared Grace to put whipped cream on her face - and she did! Very full, we had another look around the shops before realising the time and rushing home to get changed. We all met at Grace’s at 6.30 (well, Mary and I did) to help clear up and get out glasses etc. After the meal we were coming back to Graces for a little party. Mika, who was meant to arrive at 7 eventually came at about 7.30 and we went to meet Charlie and a friend I had met yet lauren (?). Mika told us that there was a 24 hour speed boat race on the river - so I was right about the noise! We had supper at an Italian, where I think we made most of the noise, mostly made by trying to teach each other how to pronounce french and english words properly. Back at Grace’s, after I had attempted to talk to Lauren in french, some more people arrived. Timotei, Henri, and Jean-Philippe (J-P) who brought along a friend, a cousin and the cousins girlfriend, and it was basically an evening of guitar playing. Liz, Mary and I eventually left at about 4am, leaving Grace with Mika and J-P who were still playing the guitar. The power boats were still going so I decided to walk to the river and have a look. All the lights are so pretty on the river at night, the bridges turn blue. Couldn’t see the boats very well but I could see their lights and it was pretty noisy. I really like being out so early in the morning. Eventually got home at about 5am, to find party going on in the flat below - nice!

Tuesday 29th April

Went in to the art school again this morning, and did some more of my sketchbook, then I went home and started putting all the photos in to a home made book. My problem is that I still have over two weeks left and there will be photos from then so I can’t actually finish it until I get home. In the afternoon I took a rip to Cafe Cheri and guess who was also there? Yep, Mary, Liz and Grace. I checked the weather and Saturday is meant to be hot and sunny again so we might go and visit Monet’s Garden at Giverney. After leaving the cafe I went to Hotel L’Europa to book Dad a room for when he comes to pick me up. O can’t believe its so soon. The man on the desk remembered me from my visits to see Mum and Grace when they were staying there. Then it was back to the flat for a spot to eat and more art work while watching Donnie Darko (very weird) and La Dolce Vita (which was also pretty strange).

Monday 28th April

Ahhhh, its cold again. Back to wearing coats and holding umbrellas as we found out when we got caught in a downpour this afternoon. In the morning I sorted some photos, got them printed at FNAC and spent 2 hours at the art school writing up my sketchbook. After we left the art school, which is when the rain came down, I went back to the flat, had a late lunch/early supper and continued with some art work while watching ‘Step Mom’ in french. My french seems to have got worse rather than better so i’m going to immerse myself in the language for the last 3 weeks. Oh, and I met the neighbours. I was going to Morganes with the washing up when they came out of their flat. Probably think i’m very strange walking around with a washing up bowl. After the film I had a little nap. I just suddenly felt really tired and fell asleep in the chair. When I woke up it was nearly 10pm but I now felt awake so I did some more work while watching ‘Bridget Jones 2’.

Sunday 27th April

Had a similar start to the day as yesterday, although minus the foot man. It was really warm again so found another bench to sit on (the cafes were full) and finished the latest book and did some more artwork. That evening Liz and Mary and I went to the Tarte Tatin for supper. Mary has given up cheese for the week and so decided to have a sweet crepe instead of a main. Then the waiter mixed up our bill - oops. Did find out though that they do a lunch menu for €10, including a main, a pudding and a drink, which I think we might take up sometime. I also told them to watch out for roller boy, and they said that some strange mumbing man came and sat next to them on the hill this afternoon. Rouen has some weirdos. After supper we nipped back next door and watched ‘Footloose’ and had a cup of coffee, while making fun of the very cheesy dancing.

Saturday 26th April

Began my day at Cafe Cheri again. I wanted to check that my dissertation form had been received and thankfully it had. It was such a beautiful day. Bright blue sky with no cloud and really warm - strap-top weather. After the cafe I walked over to Mary’s, with a book in my bag, to give her the music to take to the radio show later in the afternoon. And then went back to the fountain to sit in the sun and read. All was well until a man on roller blades rolled up to me and spoke a babble of french. ‘Uh, je suis anglais. Je ne comprend pas.’ He knew a little english and in a mixture of english and french asked if he could watch my shoes for a blog he was writing. Yep, I think I looked a little shocked, so he said he would sit on the bench nearby and just watch my shoes. ‘OK’. I was only sitting there anyway. After about 5 minutes he came back over and asked, in very bad english, if I could take off my shoes to see my feet. Ok, now it was weird and so I made my excuses ‘I have to meet my friend’ and started to put away my book. Roller boy babbled a blog address at me (i only got the word plied - perhaps if I type in feet in rouen?) and thankfully went on his way to find another victim. I on the other hand went to Monoprix to do some food shopping and went home for a spot of lunch and to go over in my mind what had just happened. That afternoon I went out to try and do some more reading. This time in a cafe. Everywhere was packed but I eventually found a table in the sun, got out my sketchbook and waited for someone to come and take my order. I waited while the two men next to me got served. I waited while the lady and her daughter got served. I even waited while two americans tried ordering without even the smallest attempt at french. ‘I would like a strong coffee, with no milk please.’ Finally, after about 10 minutes the waiter, who had a proper french style moustache, came over and I managed to order an orangina. 20 minutes later, when my table had disappeared out of the sun, I was tried to pay the bill and that too took another 10 minutes. After popping back home to change books, I headed out again, this time to the Vieux Marche where I found a bench to sit on. I was enjoying the sun and the chatter of everyone walking by(there was a lot of english voices), when three tramps decided to come and sit my bench. I wouldn’t have minded sharing a bench but they smelt bad, so i had to move again. On my way to find another spot to sit I suddenly heard some drum beats and shouting and went to investigate. It was a marching brass band led by a man in a white wig and coat tails. Not sure about the outfit but the music was good, and a large crowd was following them. I decided to go back to the square where I had the orangina, but instead of sitting at a cafe I found a piece of wall to sit on, which is where I stayed for the next 45 minutes or so, reading and watching some kids and their tiny dog play football until I felt like I was burning. I wish everyday could be like this. Everything seems so much better. Back at the flat I got on with some artwork and had dinner and then watched Hideous Kinky which is a film i’d never heard of before but which I thought was brilliant. Set in Morocco about a young mum and her two daughters from London who attempt at a new life, the film is a story of love and loss, anger and strangeness, and full of amazing colour.

Friday 23rd April

Got up early this morning and headed straight to Cafe Cheri to send the choice form. I have decided to look at the connection between extreme cases of autism and dyslexia and the amazing creative ability which often comes with it. Mary arrived too and we spent about 2 hours there. Then I stepped outside. Today was the beautiful day which was meant have been yesterday. It was so warm and sunny I took my book and sat in the market place on a bench for most of the afternoon. Then I went home and spent a good hour practising the guitar (with the window open) and had a ‘who can play it the loudest’ song contest with the flat two floors below, with songs such as ‘Cotten Eye Joe’ and ‘Girls Just Wanna Have Fun’. Jesus, if I could hear it so clearly up here I feel very sorry for their adjacent neighbours. At 7.45 I went to meet the others at Club 106 where the gig was being held. They were all meeting at the fountain but personally I thought it was silly for me to walk 10 minutes in the wrong direction so I said I’d meet them there. It was over the river and right on the quay front, set in a large circus tent and a smaller tent, with a portable toilet block. I must say, the french have succeded here too. The toilets were clean and had loo paper, and running water, unlike the horrible portaloos we would be provided with in england. The concert was amazing. It started with Los Campesinos, a band from Cardiff who I thought were brilliant. Then in the interval, a local band, Alice The Goon played in the drinks tent, who I also really liked. And then The Go! Team played. They were probably my least favourite to be honest but they were amazing to watch and very loud. Two drum kits!! There was also a bit of a mosh pit going on and I got bumped into several times, and Mika got beer spilt all over him, which probably made me not in enjoy it so much. After emerging from the tent with ringing ears guess who we bumped into? The radio man. So Mary arranged everything for tomorrow and Grace is going to go and be her translator. They have also said to bring some english music so I might give them a couple of Sam and Daisy songs.

Thursday 24th April

The weatherman had said it was going to be hot and sunny today so we had arranged to go to the Hotel de Ville gardens for some sunbathing and sketching. Hum, not quite the weather we’d hoped. It was warm when the sun was out but the wind was mighty cold. After approximately 15 minutes we decided it was too cold to sit in the park so went and got our gig tickets from FNAC and went back to Grace’s for a hot drink and a film. Actually two films - ‘The Witches of Eastwick’ and ‘Bruce Almighty’. Then we got down to some serious work and did a group crit. This afternoon, Mary and Grace showed us and explained their work and we gave pointers and how it could be developed etc. Liz and I will do it some other time soon. I felt like I was back at art school! Back home I did some more art work and thought about my dissertation choice which has to be in tomorrow. I can’t believe its that stage of the course already.

Wednesday 23rd April

I’ve got mail. When I went into the flat this morning three letters were waiting for me. My assessment results, some chocolate from Florrie and a wind up butterfly from Vicky. It felt like christmas. Today I caught up on my blog, did some washing, pdp-ing etc and then in the evening we all met up with Mika and Charlie and had a drink sitting outside. Yep, the weather is better than it was in Montpellier. Mary also sorted out going on the radio. Did I tell you? The man, who’s friends with her parents and who we met at Le Saxo, has asked Mary to talk about her experiences of Rouen on a radio show on Saturday - exciting!! And we also arranged to go to a gig on Friday - The Go! Team. We started to get cold so then we went to a bar next door to Cafe Cherie which was quite posh, and had zebra covering on the seat backs. Has a nice atmosphere to it though. After this we said Bonne Nuit to Charlie who had to get up early the next day and went to Chez Grace for a few rounds of 7’s (the card game). I won once.

Tuesday 22th April

Laura had to go and pick her boyfriend up from the airport this morning so although our train wasn’t until 2pm we got to the station at 10 and spent the morning in a cafe, drinking hot chocolates and playing cards. Then at 2 we caught first train of the day, a two hour journey to Lyon. At Lyon station we had to wait for 90 mins so grabbed a late lunch and some extra food for the next train journey. While we were sitting there the police came to the seats next to us because some baggage had been left unattended. At 5.30 we caught the train to Rouen. This was a 4 hour journey and we whiled away the time reading, listening to Jonathan Ross pod-cast and playing cards. Next to us in the carriage there was a cute little dog sitting in a bag who entertained us for a bit. We watched the sun set as we travelled and finally got to Rouen at 9.30pm, where we all went our separate ways, and I struggled up the 63 stairs with my heavy bag and guitar. Spent the rest of the evening unpacking while watching Footloose.

Monday 21st April

Our last day in Montpellier. We had another picnic and sat this time on a large bit of grass somewhere near the river. We also took a couple of guitars and three little french kids were very interested in them. After a while they went disappeared and returned with their own guitar and sat right near us, playing lots of english pop-songs such as James Blunt. At this point we gave Laura her present which we had wrapped this morning, and she loved it. Suddenly, a big black cloud appeared and we went an sheltered in a nearby cafe. That evening we met one of the american girls we had met on the first night and went to a Japanese restaurant. It was delicious food, with Miso Soup, rice, grilled tuna and fried bananas. I was so full after that. Then back at the house, we watched, you’ve guess it, more Sex and the City while we packed, ready to leave tomorrow morning.

Sunday 20th April

Two of Laura’s housemates woke us up at 5.30am when they came home drunk and started crashing around in the kitchen, which is joined to the sitting room (where we were sleeping) by a thin wall with a hole of the radiator. It was a miserable day again today so we went to the Fabre art museum for some art inspiration followed by another trip to a cafe where I had a gorgeous tarte tatin, Mary had a chocolate fondant, Laura had crumble and Liz and Grace had two hot-chocolates each (its now rice, grapes, soy sauce, Yop and any drinks, just not alcohol) and looked longingly at the food. They are stopping tomorrow. That evening we watched ‘Cast-Away’, which bought back travelling memories because I had visited the island where it was filmed, followed by more ‘Sex and the City’.

Saturday 19th April

Began the day thinking we would cycle to the beach again, but once outside we realised it was too cold and windy so instead spent the morning in a cafe and doing a bit more window shopping. At lunchtime, the sun finally came out and we hired bikes and went to the river where we sat in the sun for a good two hours, and had a picnic. Then we cycled a bit further a long a grassy path and came to a dam where Grace decided to sit on one of the sticking out pipes. Then it was back in to the centre and back to a very busy cafe where it took aged to be served but we got more sun in the process. Then, typically, the sun disappeared as soon as the drinks arrived. That evening we watch another dvd, this time ‘Auberge l’espangnol’ which was about a french erasmus student in Spain. Quite fitting really.

Friday 18th April

Watched some weird french game shows in the morning. On question was ‘how many pates can you make with 4 sheep, 2 ducks and a pig?’ Strange. I think the answer was 62. Anyway, after a lazy morning we went shopping. Laura really liked a black, sparkly dress from Zara but didn’t get it because of money etc, so we secretly bought it for her as a thank you present. With the dress safely hidden in my bag, the rain began again and we sheltered in a coffee shop. I had a really nice iced coffee. All it was was ice, coffee and some sweet syrup stuff you put in yourself to taste. No milk or ice-cream or anything. On the way home we went to the video shop and got out ‘Paris je t’aime’. Back home we watched some Sex and the City, had supper, found Grace a possible job for the summer in the Cote D’Azur, watched the film which was 18 short stories, all by different directors, and all set in the different areas in Paris, and tried to take the whining dog out for a pee without getting our hands bitten off. Ha, didn’t work so he had to stay whining in the corridor.

Thursday 17th April

Everyone slept until late this morning except me, so I got up, dressed, read, cleaned up the kitchen and finally decided at 12 to go for a walk. I wandered for about 15 minutes in the rain (yep it rains here too) and even got asked directions for a woman in a car. I even knew where the Place de Comedie was, just not how to get there by car so I gave here a vague direction to head in. When I got back, everyonen was up but by now it was pouring with rain and it didn’t stop all day so we watched the OC, played the guitar and watched some french tv.

Wednesday 16th April

Last night we arranged to meet the Lille assistances and cycle to the beach. We all hired bikes (only €2 for the day) and headed off with a picnic. Laura had been told it would take about 30 mins but we managed to lost a couple of times so about an hour later we finally arrived at the quite chilly beach, with no accidents. There was one point where we cycled through an avenue of trees anf it felt just like we were in the Sound of Music. And all the way cars and lorries where hooting at us in a friendly way. Seeing 13 bikes cycling in group must have been quite a sight. So we spent a couple of hours on the beach, and about 30 mins of that in a cafe warming up. The wind was freezing. In the cafe I the song ‘Stay With me ‘Till Dawn’ was played which is a Wildflower song. Unfortunately I was in the toilets at the time and couldn’t hear the voices properly but I text Sam straight away anyway. I’m annoyed it came on at that time. I would’ve been able to tell straight away who was singing if I was in the cafe. On the cycle back we managed to annoyed several french men by cycling through their boules game - oops!! And I very nearly had a run in with a post. That night, Mary, Laura and I met up with Lauren, Claire, Nick, the American guy and the nameless brit for a fondue. We went to this amazing, but wacky restaurant which served the wine in baby bottles, gave all you can eat baked potatoes and bread, and served the two balls of ice-cream for pudding differently depending on if you are male or female. Boobs (with chocolate drops) or a penis (with half a banana). Mary, who asked for more potatos even though there were some sitting right next to her on the table started a long-running joke with the waiter who gave her a raw potato to take home with her. And Lauren managed to persuade him to let her keep the baby bottle as a souvenir. I found out Nick knows the chicken roundabout near Bungay and Claire has been to a Harleston, although we think it might have been the one near Needham Market. It was a brilliant evening, which ended in some games of pool at a local pub.

Tuesday 15th April

Had a nice early start this morning. We had arranged to meet at the station at about 7.00 ready for our 7.12 train, so I struggled down the 63 stairs at 6.40. I got to the station about 5 minutes early and I must say was a little panicked when the station clock got to 7.09 and there was still no sign of them. However, they appeared within a few seconds and we caught the train with about 30 seconds to spare. We had to change stations in Paris so we spent a good 30 minutes carrying our cases up and down stairs and on and off the metro, going from St Lazare to Gare Lyon in the rush hour. Never again! Once on the train to Montpellier we could relax and watch the countryside change as we headed south. One thing I have noticed is that although the majority of french toilets are bad with no paper, seats or sinks, the train toilets are much better than british ones. They have seats, working sinks and loo paper, and don’t smell too bad. Weird. Anyway, we got to Montpellier at about 1.30 and arrived to a blue sky and sunshine - bliss. While we were waiting for Laura (Mary’s friend) we watched the trams go by (they were painted in a 60’s style flower power pattern) and chatted to an english boy and an american girl who were teaching assistances from the North of france and didn’t know where to go in Montpellier. When Laura arrived she told them where to go and we went to Laura’s house to drop off the bags. Its a house on two floors with a big kitchen and a big sitting room, and had 5 people living there. We met Laura’s housemate and friend Mary, who was American, and the dog which another housemate was looking after for the week, and then had a wander around the town. Its a very pretty city, loads of cobbled streets and outdoor cafe’s. We stopped at two different cafes on our way around and had a gorgeous apple crumble at one of them. Liz and Grace have decided to go on a detox diet this week and were only going to eat grapes for the whole week. However, Mary and I managed to persuade them to have rice aswell, so now its grapes and rice for a week. Personally I think they’re rather mad. That evening we went to a party at one of Laura’s friends flats. They are all teaching assistance and there was and aussie, a kiwi, two americans, a canadian, a french and a brit. Then, a friend of Laura’s from uni, Lauren, arrived with some more teaching assistances. They were down for a couple of days from Lille. Amongst them were two americans, an english guy Nick who used to live in Holt, two english girls, Claire who lives in Cambridge and one I can’t remember the name of and two scottish girls. It was so weird being surrounded by so many different nationalities. In Rouen we have got used to mixing with the french.

Monday 14th April

Started the day doing some packing for Montpellier tomorrow, played the guitar, printed some photos for art work. We had arranged to meet at Cafe Cheri at 3.00pm. When I arrived Grace was sitting on a boulder outside. The cafe was closed for a week. Instead we all went to Flunch for afternoon tea. The hot chocolate machine wasn’t working and only water came out so I had to try and explain what had happened and ask for another token - interesting. I think we were at Flunch for about 2 hours and then I went home, picking up a couple of things from Monoprix on the way, to do more packing. At about 8pm I went to Graces. Liz and Mary had gone there straight after Flunch, and we watched Airplane, which was being shown in english on tv. Then it was back home to finish the packing and an early-ish night. On the way I passed a massive group of tourists doing a night tour of Rouen, and I got asked directions from a french man who then began talking about London as soon as he realised I was english.

Sunday 13th April

Laura text and said that she and Adam were heading to Paris today, and that Adam had only just found out - surprise!! Its probably a good job I came to Rouen cause I nearly gave the surprise away a couple of times. Right, today was a normal Sunday really. Started packing for Montpellier - packing for a week is much more difficult than for 3 months - did some drawing, wrote to Shaun and watched Sister Act 2. Really exciting. However, in the evening the girlies came round and Grace cooked us stuffed peppers with garlic rice (my room still stinks of garlic) followed by a chocolatey, biscuity mess. Then, after the biggest wash up I have done in Rouen, we watched ‘Memoirs of a Geisha’, and just relaxed. It was nice to have an evening at home.

Saturday 12th April

Laura’s birthday. I have to confess I forgot what day was what so I only remembered when she text a thank you for her present - sorry Laura - I hope you had a good day! This morning I cleaned my room, sorted washing, got some passport photos done for the train card and tried out a new launderette I’d found just the other side of the market place. It is a lot bigger, cheaper and nearer and with about 12 washing machines and 9 dryers, and a pressing service if you want to have clothes without creases. It was such a beautiful day that while the washing was being washed I went back to the market place and read a book sitting on a bench. It was so nice and peaceful. So, after the washing was dry, I wandered home, passing at least 4 beggers (there seems to be an influx of them), to get ready. Grace had invited us round for baked potato (haven’t had one since I left england) and baked apple, followed by ice-skating with Mika. Mary didn’t come - she absolutely detests ice-skating. After a delicious meal (Mika arrived in time for pudding), we headed to the rink. Why do skates hurt so much? I was in so much pain the whole time and now have bruises on my ankles. I was really bad at first, and Grace, Liz and Mika took turns at dragging me along, but by the end I was skating pretty well, even venturing into the middle of the rink! I think what was scary by the end was a large group of drunken skaters, which I had to try and avoid. We also had ice fights, mostly the girls against Mika - I think we probably won. After the ice-skating, we went up a hill (not the one we normally walk up) to see the view of Rouen at night. Its really beautiful. And where we had parked, there was a beautiful church all lit up, a massive graveyard with whole tombs and a kind of look-out place which was all beautifully lit too. It started raining whilst there so we got soaked. We even walked past a flat where a party was going on and stood in the garden dancing to the music - no-one noticed though. It was quite surreal really. Once we were getting cold we went back to Liz’s to warm up and told really bad jokes. What’s black, white and read? A newspaper! It was a brilliant evening.

Friday 11th April

Started the day with a walk up the hill with Liz and Mary to do some sketching. It was really warm in the city but on top of the hill the wind was freezing so didn’t stay long in the end. Managed to do a couple of sketches. Instead we decided to go shopping - Mary and Liz wanted some summer clothes, and I wanted some beach shorts. No shorts but I ended up buying the skirt and shoes I liked when shopping with Mum. We met Grace after lunch and she arranged another gathering, to finish off the wine from the party. So, at 6 I headed back to Grace’s, where we had another evening of guitar and wine. At 1.30am, Mika tried to persuade us to go clubbing. Ha, we were having none of it - too tired - so we all went home to sleep instead, but only after Mika forgot to say goodbye to me and Liz. He was quite drunk and just wandered off to another group of random people in the street!

Thursday 10th April

Booked our train to Montpellier today. We leave very early on tuesday for a week in the sun - hooray! And not too expensive either - €150. It was also a beautiful day, warm and loads of sun, so spent a lot of time outside. After booking the tickets in the afternoon, we all went back to Grace’s to finish the left over food from last night, to help clear up, relax and watch a film - ‘Catch me if you can’. Then it was back home for an early night.

Wednesday 9th April

Spent the day catching up on my blog, and making cheesecake and banana whip for the party. Went over to Graces at about 6.15 and received a text saying she would be a few minutes. She had gone shopping for the party. I then helped wash-up, made bruchetta things with the bread left over from yesterday and we waited for everyone to arrive. Mary arrived first along with a brand new guitar her parents had bought her as a late birthday present. I think it is the same one we were considering getting if we hadn’t mended mums. Then Liz arrived followed by Mika, Henri, Julie and Guilliam. Half way through the evening another of Mika’s friends, Martin, came too. It was basically an evening of singing and playing the guitar, and making a lot of noise.

Tuesday 8th April

Sometime during the party we had briefly arranged meeting Mika and Henri for lunch. I completely forgot until Grace rang to see where I was. It turned out Liz was still asleep and Mary also forgotten and had gone shopping with her mum. I went to meet them near the art school and we ate at La Walsheim. It was good food although the croque monsieur, which I had, was no where near as good as Cafe Cheri’s. After lunch, Grace and I did a little shopping, mostly window, apart from a t-shirt with french writing on for Grace. Then we got some Marcaroons and went back to my flat to watch a film. While watching ‘In Her Shoes’, Liz and Mary arrived, followed by Mika who phoned to ask what we were doing, and Grace put a braid in each of our hair. By now it was practically tea-time, so Mary and I went to the shop and got bread, cheese, pitta bread, mozzarella, grapes and I made them all a simple supper. Some pitta pizzas, and some rice for Grace (which I did very badly - I hate cooking rice). Later in the evening we went bowling. Mary was meeting her parents for a drink, but the three of us, Mika and Julie went. It was fun. Mika won, but we tried out best to beat him, and Liz came pretty close. I started off second but ended up last :( . In the lane next to us were too professionals with their own shoes and fancy balls. One was was very short with a massive beer belly and kept doing a little run up and then dropping the ball with a load thud. It seemed to be a good technique as he got lots of strikes, but was funny to watch! Then we played some pool, and that hockey type game with the puck and two goals, and even table football. I think I lost everything. Or did I win a hockey game? I can’t remember. Anyway, after that we were all tired from last night (they didn’t leave until 3am) and so it was just home to bed for an earlier night, to refresh for a party at Graces tomorrow.

Monday 7th April

Mum and Grace went home this lunchtime. We spent the morning looking round the shops again, packing the car, buying cake for them to take home, and had lunch at Cafe Cheri. Croque Madames and orangina. While we were there Mary phoned and said they we going to walk up the hill at 1.30, so after we had eaten I said goodbye to mum and Grace, and went to put on some warmer clothes. After all for of us had arrived we went to the big supermarket and got some plums, nuts, drink and I’d bought some mini-eggs from home and started up the hill. It only takes about 1/2 hour from the cathedral. We sat up there for quite a while. There is an amazing view and when the sun was out it was really warm. We also planned a trip to Montpellier for next week to get some proper sun. Mary has a friend down there who says we can stay. On the way down we bumped into Marys parents again, who were about to walk up themselves. Then we collected our laptops and met up at Cafe Cheri to check out train prices and accommodation in case we wanted to stay longer. Hummm, it looks like all french people head to the south in the holidays, as accommodation was very sparse. We gave up and decided to think about it again tomorrow. That evening we went to the cinema to see ‘The Darjeeling Limited’. We had arranged to meet at 8.30pm and I was running late so thought i’d be the last one there. Instead I was the first! Mary took a long way round, Liz got lost and Mika and Grace were just late. It is a very good film, I would recommend it. Its quite arthouse, and had a slight feel of ‘Little Miss Sunshine’ to it. Funny and emotional all at the same time. After the film Mika took us to a Moroccan tea bar, which reminded us all of PoNaNas! Liz and I had a really nice Banana and coconut smoothie/cocktail thing, whilst the others all had different teas. Also there was Henri and other friend of theirs Guilliam. Then they all came back to my little room! I was the one with a house nearby and a guitar, so we had a mini impromptu guitar, wine and cheese party. Its amazing how many people you can fit in such a small space.

Sunday 6th April

Me, Mum and Grace decided to have a wonder along the river - that was a bad choice. It was freezing, and very windy. However we did come across the Roller Bladeing Championships which was interesting. It must have been cold as a spectator! Back in the old town where the buildings provided shelter from the wind it began to pour with rain. We were near the art school so I said why don’t we get a drink from a cafe I know down the road. The cafe is right across he road from St Marks Square where there was a gigantic market going on so we decided to have a look. There were fruit, veg, meat, fish, ready to eat dished, clothes, antiques, furniture - everything really. Grace bought a pretty spot dress. We soon decided we needed a hot drink so eventually got to the cafe to warm up. On the way home we bumped into Mary’s parents again (they were going to Flunch) and then stopped at the Patisserie and picked up some pastries to try. Because it was so cold and wet we stayed inside for the rest of the afternoon, doing the decoupage in my room and watching a film in french at the hotel. It was snowing by this point! At about 8 we went to find somewhere to eat. There wasn’t much choice because it was a sunday, and even restaurants don’t open. After a little wander we went back to the Tarte Tatin (open 7 days a week) and guess who was there too ... Mary and parents. We were even seated at the table next to them. After another delicious meal. we went back to the hotel and watched Mean Girls in french, then I walked home in a snow storm!

Saturday 5th April

Had a shopping day today. Grace was the one who really wanted to buy something but in the end it was me who actually did. We also got the guitar fixed so I can try to learn on my free time. I even took them to Flunch, where we had a drink and cake. I think they enjoyed the experience! Mary rang at about 6 saying that a band, which the son of her parents friends is part off, were having a gig in Le Saxo and would we like to go. We were going to go out for supper, but wouldn’t have long to eat so instead grabbed some big volovant things, bread and salad from Monoprix and ate in my room. As well as us, Grace and Liz came and Mika and Charlie so there was a big group of us sitting right near the band. Grace got to practice her french with some real french people and the band was really good, playing a selection of oldie and new pop-rock, such as ‘Heard it on the grapevine’ and ‘Ain’t no sunshine when shes gone’. It was 2.30am when we eventually left and headed home, and freezing cold outside.

Friday 4th April

Went to meet mum and Grace at about 10 and we bought some croissants and baguette and ate breakfast in my room. It is sunny again! After breakfast we moved their bags from Hotel Palais to the L’Europa Hotel where they are spending the rest of their stay. The housekeepers where actually cleaning the room when we arrived and I was the first one up to the room so tried to explain that we wanted to leave the bags. It kind of worked and luckily mum arrived just at the right time. Once the bags were safely in the room, I took Mum and Grace on a little tour of Rouen, around all the little streets (Grace was very excited by the shops) and in the Cathedral. And then went to the art school where we bumped into Liz and Mary (her parents didn’t arrive yesterday, it was today!) and had a chat. Then we walked past the Hotel de Ville and past a school which mum thought might have been where she stayed when she came to Rouen on a school trip. We walked back down to the centre down Graces road where we bumped into Mary and her parents. We arranged to all meet for supper. Then back past the shops and into the mini-mall where Grace tried some Roxy stuff, had a look in the pier and the art shop (we got some decoupage stuff to do - grace a heart and me a cat!). By this point we were getting a little hungry so we went to Cafe Cheri and had croque monsieur and croque madame, which were delicious. While we were sitting there the sky got very dark, so as soon as we finished we rushed back to the car to move it to the car-park near the new hotel. That evening we meet Mary and her parents and went to a lovely Pizza restaurant near the Vieux Marche. All over the walls were old objects such as cameras, bicycles, canoe paddles etc. From the entrance the restaurant looked really small but inside it was massive, and all on split levels, and the pizzas were delicious. I think we all had a lovely evening.

Thursday 3rd April

A beautiful day today. Mary and I decided to have a look around the students white exam work this morning - well tried to. We got half-chased out of one room by a guy rabbiting in french and then couldn’t find the rest of the work. Both our families were arriving today for a visit so I went to tidy my room and go to the internet cafe and Mary went to meet her parents at the train station. At about 7 I received a call from Mum saying they had arrived in Rouen and were near the man on the horse, so I went to meet them and guide them to the car park. Much easier than I thought! Then we went to check into their first hotel - Hotel Palais - very simple but right in the centre by the big clock. Then I showed them my room - Grace went through the hole - and decided to try out the Tarte Tatin, a crepery next door to my building. It was lovely, very busy and had a massive range of different crepes and salads. They came back to my room for coffee before heading back to the hotel.

Wednesday 2nd April

Started the day by visiting the hotel mum is staying in tomorrow to tell them she will be arriving later than 7pm. I took a little while because the man could’t speak english very well and thought I wanted to book a room, not check a reservation. Anyway, once done, I went to the mall to find out how you pay for 4 days of parking. Ha, there was no info desk so couldn’t find out. A good start to the day. While I was there I was bad and got tempted by FNAC and bought 3 more dvds. Well I’d better use the vouchers while they’re still valid! Then I visited a childrens book store which had been recommended to me. I was Ok. Very large with a stone floor but not many books. It was quite empty actually. I wanted to find a book by Gabriella Vincent, but couldn’t find it anywhere. So instead, I bought two Little Miss books in french (only €2.50 each) and spent the afternoon attempting to translate them. I think I did ok! At 5 I wandered over to the art school. Patricia was meant to be taking us to an exhibition at the big university on the edge of town, but we didn’t really know what time. While we waited we spent the time singing childhood songs. At 6 we went and waited outside on the road and Liz received a phone call from Patricia. She was going to be another 20 minutes. Liz and I were getting hungry so we took a wander to the big supermarket and bought some nuts and some coke for Grace and Mary. The queue was so long that as soon as we arrived back, Patricia arrived. The exhibition was in a gallery in a student village which didn’t look to nice. All concrete blocks and tarmac. The exhibition itself was quite interesting, and we spotted some work we had seen in the crits such as Sophies work (pictured). However it was very small, and the students are not very friendly towards us. Only 2 people said hi, so we took and beer each (as they were free) and decided to walk back to Rouen. There was one bit ont he walk where we were on top of a hill and all of Rouen was down below us - it was very beautiful. About 3/4 of the way home, a car pulled up along side us and it was Patricia. She had been worrried about us, and had come to find us (oops) and said it was too far to walk. Thats another difference, the french don’t like walking. Like, Rouen has a metro system with several stops, but it isn’t very far to walk anywhere. Maybe if you’re going from the very north side to the very south side but 5 minutes down the road - no. They find it strange that we walk the distances we do. We would have been quite happy to keep walking but were also happy to receive a lift to. It had started raining. Back in Rouen we met up with Mika (by now it was about 8.30pm) and he took us to a brand new bar, which was all white with purple beams, had a toilet light which stayed on for about 20 seconds, and it was only a minute from my flat. Also there was Charlie, the other friend, and a girl who’s name I also can’t remember - I am very bad a names! After a glass of wine we went to a restaurant in the Vieux Marche, which was very french with lots of fondue. Me and liz had salads thinking it wouldn’t be too heavy - ha, it was like a mountain and full of bread, cheese, meat. Neither of us could finish. Mary had a vegetarian dish which was potato, cheese and veg, and looked a bit like lasagne when first bought out. Grace had a salad of potatoes, sweetcorn and salad and topped it off with some of Mika and Charlies fondue, which had apples and cider in it. After dinner, where we were given some wine by the neighbouring table because we were ‘enggglllishh, girls’ we all went back to Grace’s flat. By now iti was pouring and literally the streets were awash with water. Mika had his car, so we all squashed in (by now we had said bye to the too nameless ones). All 4 of us girls in the back. Luckily, it was a very short ride. At Graces we had another guitar session, drank tea and Mika also bought along his ukulele, which was different. Finally went home at about 2.30am, very tired.

Tuesday 1st April

Rain, rain go away, come again another day! Went into art school and spent an hour doodling ideas and talking to Mary before deciding to go and do some shopping and get lunch. Passed a group of very posh english kids saying things like, ‘Oh dear, the water is soaking into my trousers’ and, ‘Look, my mood ring matches the colour of my nails.’ After lunch I got a text from Liz saying that Patricia had left a book and a video for me in the studio, so I went back to the studio to collect them. Bumped into Liz while I was there and we went to meet Mary and Grace at Café Cheri. By now it was really sunny and it had become a beautiful day. Back at the flat at about 7pm, I got a call from Mary saying she was at the dvd shop but can’t find anything she wanted to buy so could she come and borrow one from me. 10 minutes later she arrived, and the stupid buzzer wasn’t working. Luckily someone else let her in. She said she had just been on a two hour walk across the bridge, and needed a drink! I actually can’t remember what happened after she left. Probably watched a dvd. Oh yes, I know, I watched Elizabethtown. And then went to bed early with a headache.

Monday 31st March

Ha, didn’t realised the clocks had gone forward till this afternoon. Grace rang to ask if I wanted to come over for wine and cheese and a film and luckily she said in an hour. If she had said a time I would have turned up very late. After we had eaten nearly all the cheese (I bought some Port Salut), bread and grapes, I looked at my watch and said, ‘wow its nearly 4 o’clock’. Turns out it was actually nearly 5. We then watched ‘The Wedding Crashers’ and drank more of the wine which, although we had eating lots of bread, seemed to go to our heads very quickly. I didn’t feel drunk, just very tired when we left Grace’s. The streets on Mondays at this time look really messy. It is rubbish day so all the shops, flats, every building puts their rubbish on the street. Piles of it, its like walking through a dump in some streets, especially if they are narrow. Back at home I washed up my breakfast stuff and managed to drop it on the floor - luckily nothing broke, and then tried to wake up my brain by doing sudoku. At 8.30 I received a text from Liz seeing if I wanted to join her and Mary at the irish pub for a drink, so at 9.30 I trundled down there. There was about 8 people including us in the pub and all three of us decided to drink soft drinks and not alcohol! Then just as I was telling them I might get Mum to bring a guitar to france so I could learn during all my free time, a man walked with a guitar - freaky, and started to play and sing while sitting at the bar, not facing the rest of the pub. A rather strange set-up but he was actually really good, playing Amy Winehouse, Oasis etc. We came up with the conclusion that he was shy. Then at 11pm we all decided we were tired and went home. Ugghhh, my building reeked of fish when I got home. Its really strange because you can always smell what the other flats are cooking. Sometimes it makes you want to go there for supper and other times, like tonight, it definitely does not. Luckily it hasn’t seeped into my room!

Sunday 30th March

I should probably just leave out sundays. Nothing interesting happens and everything in Rouen is closed. I didn’t get up till 11 this morning, thats how tired I was. I never sleep till 11. So did a bit of work this morning read the final chapter of the book and then decided to go for a little wander. Found a launderette near me and it was open - maybe thats what I should do on a sunday, the laundry! On the way back to the flat I stopped at the Tabac (the only shop thats open) to pick up another english newspaper. I also spotted an english OK magazine, so also bought that. I felt like reading a bit of celebrity trash. And that was basically my day. Back at the flat I read Ok, the newspaper, had tea and then did sudoku while watching ‘You’ve Got Mail’ in french. Oh, and all afternoon it was pouring down with rain again. Brilliant.

Saturday 29th March

Poor Liz, the guy in the flat above her plays the drums and she said he seemed to be getting back at her for the noise last night early this morning. We had met at the launderette for wash day. Luckily I asked Mary to bring a book for me to borrow. It takes nearly two hours to do the washing, so I had read more than half by the time we’d left. We then went to Café Chéri (the internet cafe - finally remembered the name!) for an email check. We are definitely well known now by the staff. We are regulars. I must go in one day for more than a drink - the croque monsieurs look really good. Maybe i’ll take mum and Grace next week. Anyway, back to the day. I had invited Mary and Liz round for supper and a film (Grace was meeting Christophs parents) so the next stop was Monoprix for a few ingredients. I decided to make courgette bake, so at home I got it all prepared and ready to cook. I even made little puds from some left over choc crunch, whipped cream and strawberries. At 6pm I received a text from liz saying that she couldn’t get hold of Mary and that maybe she was asleep, could we do it tommorrow. I said yep, that’d be fine, but something made me not have anything to eat, which was lucky. At 8pm Mary rang and said she just hadn’t been near her phone which is why she hadn’t answered and could they come at 9pm. Yep, that’d be fine. So for the next hour I pratically finished the book - ‘Never Let Me Go’ by Kazuo Ishiguro and jumped when Mary and Liz burst through the door. They had rang the bell and Morgane had let them in. So basically we had supper - I think Mary ate most of it (je blaguais!) and then we watched ‘Little Miss Sunshine’. My god I was tired by the end though, so after I said good bye I quickly washed up (Morgane wasn’t at home) and went straight to sleep.

Friday 28th March

This evening we had a gathering at Liz’ house, us four and Mika and Charlie. I decided to bring the pud so made some chocolate crunch, bought some meringue for Grace and took a few strawberries. At 6pm Mika and Charlie picked me and Grace up from Graces flat - Mika was bringing two guitars so he had his car, and we headed to Route de Darnétal, which is the road Liz lives on. I started getting a bit suspicious when we went on the dual carriage way and then I saw signs for Darnétal. The town! Yep, we were heading out of Rouen. No, not the town, we said, the road, and had to turn around. By this point we had actually reached Darnétal. So thats why they looked very confused when we said we could walk to Liz’ in 10-15 minutes! Anyway, we eventually arrived at the right place and ran out of the car into the flat - it was pouring with rain. I finally met the frog Liz has to look after. It is tiny, about the size of my thumb. Then followed a really good evening of acoustic and electric guitar (I learnt how to play an ‘A’ chord), a delicious meal of garlic and pistachio rice and stir fried veg with ginger. The french aren’t used to ginger at all and Mika didn’t like it. According to Grace you can’t even get ginger beer here. Which was then followed by pud - the chocolate crunch was loved by all, and more guitar. All in all a good time was had by all.

Thursday 27th March

Started the day being lazy, doing some artwork at home. It did thunder though and started hailing so i’m glad I did. Mary rang at lunchtime and said that Habib (one of the students at the art school) was having an exhibition of his work so I wandered over to the art school to meet them. It was actually his examination blanc, which is a practice exam to help the students get ready for the proper one. There were men in suits, a lady who Grace said later had been slating Habibs work big time, and he had to talk in front of about 40 people - scary. After that we went back to the studio and spent the next hour just talking, and eating chocolate and then we parted ways to go and get ready. We were meeting Quentin (aka Mika look-a-like) and some of his friends and going for a japanese meal. We met them at what was supposed to be 7.30 but turned out to be 8.45 out side the irish pub - Mika (we have decided that Mika is much better than Quentin), Charlie (who comes form Corsica) and another guy who I can’t remember the name of - oops. It was a good night. We went to the same Japanese as last time and had the same waiter who definitely remembered us enggliish girls. They all got slightly tipsy on some wine, but my tooth had started hurting again and I took some paracetamol instead. We all had a very disgusting shot of something at the end though. And they came in special glasses where when there is liquid in the glass you can see a picture of a naked man or woman on the bottom, and when the drink is gone so are they. It cause some hilarity - is that even a word? After eating we headed back to the irish pub and managed to cause some mayhem. Somehow Grace learnt to say ‘I want your body’ in french - I think t was Mikas doing, and Mary dared her to say it to the waiter. So when he came over to order some drinks he said ‘What would you like’, Grace replied ‘I want your body’. I was very funny to watch. Then he said he would give it to her for a price but none of us heard what the price was. It was either €5, €50 or €5000. Anyway it was good. Mika found some more friends in the pub and they insisted we went Emporium Galorium so we said, OK, but only for a bit. On the way Grace and Liz managed to trip over a step and both fell into a shop doorway - oh dear. Emporium is a pub with a dance room downstairs. It is really dark with red seats, wooded tables and mosaic tiled ledges. It has the kind of light that makes you want to fall asleep. They was also no-one in there apart from a really cocky french man who kept making fun of Graces french accent so we said goodbye to Mika and Charlie (the other friend had already gone) and went back to Graces for some tea. Then we all parted ways again to go to sleep.

Wednesday 26th March

Rain, rain, rain - it really does make you want to stay inside. However I made myself get out the house and checked out some more car-parking for mum. We’re going to have a big problem with little entrances and her big bus, and a lack of on-road parking. Then I went to check my emails, but on the way I got caught up in some sort of parade. Have no idea what it was for but there were loads of kids, people dressed as pirates and fishermen, african dancing, gymnastics, disco dancing, several different music groups, confetti, balloons and loads of whistles. Lots of other spectators looked just as confused as I was. I even saw the man who had been our waiter at the Japanese restaurant taking photos. Trés interessant. After that the rest of the day was rather boring. Went on the internet, did some work, updated my PdP, finished ‘The Girls’, watched ‘You’ve got Mail’ and spoke to mum.

Tuesday 25th March

The day of the dreaded presentation in French. Got all worked up this morning worrying about it but in the end it was fine. I managed to distract them from me speaking by handing round photographs and the drawings for ‘One Orange Octopus’, so I was kind of talking to myself. I also didn’t need too many corrections which was good. Merci Ségoléne! Oh and my tooth isn’t so sore. So here is my speech:
Mon travail est totalement différent. Je fais des illustrations, du textile, des photographies et des bijoux, et d’utilise différent matériaux. Maintenant, mon travail principal est l’illustration. J’ai juste fini un livre de conte pour les enfants qui s’appelle ‘One Orange Octopus’. Dans les illustrations, j’ai utilisé des peintures, encre, couture, papier, feutre et couleurs vives. Les pages deviennent grosses, alors le nombres devient gros. Toutes les page contiennent un nombre caché et un rimer quel utiliser mots cela commencer avec le premier lettre de le chiffre. Par x, numero un = U. Numero deux = D. Lauren Child, une illustratrice qui ecrit ‘Charlie et Lola’, m’a donner l’inspiration. Dans ses illustrations, elle employe des medias melangés. Un jour, j’aimerais que mon livre soit dans une librairie ou une bibliothéque.
Maintenant, je fais aussi papier images. Je employe des motifs tout autour moi. L’artist Justine Smith m’a donne des inspirations.
After we had finished, and Patricia had given us some dates for private views etc we spent the rest of the day wandering really. First we went to the body shop for Grace and had a chocolat chaud in Flunch. Then we went to Marys flat so she could put some photos on her memory stick. This was the first time i’d been to Marys, so it was really interesting to see another flat. It had a big living, sleeping area, a small galley kitchen and a small bathroom. Spent a while just talking, quite a bit about aspirations actually. Then Grace had the idea of massage by walking on each others backs. I declined and Liz and Mary were worried about breaking some-ones neck by standing on the wrong bone, or simply hurting them but Grace was fearless. Next we went and got some canvas for Liz and Mary and then headed to the big supermarket to do a bit of shopping. I had nothing in my fridge except for a chocolate chicken, some water, half a lemon and some ketchup. After stocking up on food, and some mouthwash for my tooth, we went our separate ways and back at the flat I have basically been writing my blog. I’ve had 4 days to catch-up on. I did find a bit of time though to read half the book Mary had lent me earlier - ‘The Girls’, by Lori Lansens.

Monday 24th March

There was no snow on the ground. Was very disappointed as Mum sent a text saying England had loads. My tooth is still hurting so asked Anne for some more paracetamol, and then I showed her how I do my cut-out pictures. Her craft knife was really heavy so I have a bruise where I was holding it, but I was pleased with my picture. Then we had a really nice lunch of different salads and salmon steaks. It was torture though, as the eating made my tooth ache worse. I just hope its not my dead tooth wanting treatment, not sure I coul face going to a french dentist. Had a couple of hours to kill after lunch so I checked emails, Anne showed me how to cross Paris on the metro and then showed me some photos of Lavendu, museums etc. At 4.30 I said goodbye and caught my train to Paris. Actually it wasn’t my train because they were running late so it was the one which was meant to leave at 4. This meant there were two lots of people wanting to get on and the train was packed. I was standing squashed in a corner. At the next stop, loads more people tried to get on and the train was halted for about half an hour because there was too many people on board. Then another train pulled into the station and several people go off our train and headed to the other one. I didn’t understand properly what was going on so I bravely turned to a nice looking woman and her son and said ‘Vous parle anglais?’ Luckily she did and explained that the other train was also heading to Paris (I think it was the one I was originally meant to get), so I swapped trains. Finally I was on my way to Paris, but running about 45 minutes late. In Paris, I pushed my way through a gigantic mass of people and headed to the RER, which is like a double decker underground train and finally I was on my way to Gare St Lazare. There were two American women next to me and one had definitely had loads of plastic surgery. She looked a bit like Jackie Stallone. At this point it was nearly 6.30pm and my train was leaving at 6.50 so I was very doubtful of catching it. I was right, I missed my train by 5 minutes and ended up catching the next one at 7.30. It was a really nice train with squashy seats, clear luggage racks, curtains all in a pale greeny blue colour and that was 2nd class. In all the trains I’d been on I have learnt that red = 1st class, green/blue = 2nd. I was worried about my ticket though, because it had the previous trains' time on it but it doesn’t seem to matter in France. The conductor looked at my ticket and said merci and that was that. I had planned on visiting Monoprix on my way home because I had nothing in the fridge, but I arrived back in Rouen too late so I settled on McDonalds for supper. Could only manage about half though because of my tooth.