Spring has sprung... *hopefully*

Got the shock of my life last week when I woke up to this view from my window... what was pretty much a snowstorm! Thankfully, spring seems to have finally arrived this week (plus the clocks went forward) and it's sunny and mild in Blois... the flowers are out, as are the first batch of tourists!

Went to Rennes with Nico over the weekend (the town where he went to university- in Brittany) to see some of his friends who were having a cremaillere (house-warming party). The town itself was quite charming, with old beam-buildings, a little market and a merry-go-round. Unfortunately it was absolutely packed with shoppers- it was so busy in H&M I didn't even bother trying on any clothes as the queue was so long (felt so cheated!). Bizarrely, there was a group of teenagers with picket signs and posters running around advertising "free hugs". (Saw the same thing happening in Paris yesterday when I was with Emma, must be a nationwide thing!) I didn't claim mine!

The party itself was fun... we started off with aperos (the aperatif) at another friend's house, so were nicely warmed up for the real party. We then went over to the new flat and ate mountains of snacks- saucisson, bread with rilletes, these great little cheese cubes that taste like dairy lea, only they have flavours like salmon, and ham! Drank quite a lot but the food soaked it all up! I was knackered (I'd stayed up late the night before babysitting, and then we left at about 9am the next morning to go to Rennes) so by about midnight I was ready for bed (clearly I've fallen out of my student ways) and attempted (rather unsuccessfully) to sleep: hindered by the fact the party was still going on (till 5am or thereabouts) and the blowup mattress kept deflating! Nonetheless it was a good night; it was nice to meet Nico's friends (they're all a bit crazy) and they told him they like me and that I have a good french accent... so go me! Came back on sunday afternoon, really really tired and with all my lessons to plan!

Only 2 and a half weeks of teaching to go. I can't wait to finish but at the same time I know I'll be sad when it ends.