I don't like the teacher :-(

Going back to school hasn't been easy for poor little Lo! Just before summer holidays their lovely teacher Cecile had left. In the new year C&L found out they'd moved up one class, from petite section to moyenne. And there they were also faced with a new teacher: Genevieve, la directrice. Oops

It is probably not an easy job to teach 28 kids ranging from 4 to 8 all at once, but she's done it for over 20 years. After two days Lola was terrified because Mme le Mat yelled at her. Lola peed in her pants, got nightmares about a giant chicken pecking her toes "because she didn't know the word".

The teacher tried to convince me that I just had to let go of the kids (They are big now!) and put them in school all day, just like all the other kids. That would solve the problem! It's a bit like breaking in a horse the old fashioned way: to swim or to sink. Well, we have different ideas about it. The kids can go full days when they decide they want it.

My french is not good enough for politeness stuff. But I managed to tell the teacher that Lola loves going to school, but that she is scared of her. Back at home Lola made a drawing for the teacher to 'make her like her'. With a beautiful monster (?!) and 'Pour Genevieve' written on it.

Now most days Lola runs out of the school smiling and happy: 'The teacher didn't yell at me!'.

Charlie is not at all impressed by anything it seems. His colouring in style is just covering the whole lot with a thick layer of crayon, giving everybody a big smile and then getting on with what he likes best: His tractor.

After lunch C&L go back to school for half an hour for some extra french with the same teacher and just two other kids. That will improve their relationship too I think. And prepare them for going all day at some stage.

I wait in the car and read a french book. After they are finished I see them racing around in the square with scooters and little bikes. I ask them if they want to stay for the afternoon. No, they say. This is not where we live! We will die here because there is no food! (Actually, there is a lovely lunch in school, I'd like to eat there myself!)

I don't think it will take long before they decide to stay. In the afternoon they do more fun things in school like gym, painting and singing. In the morning it is mainly hard work with drawing, cutting and glueing.

French education has a good name, but till now it (she) feels all a bit rigid to us.

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In the mean time Rod is just working - working - working. The whole left side of the house is stripped on the inside and has now a big door to the garden en a small window where the sink will be. I ordered a new front door, but it opened the wrong way, so we have to wait another 3 weeks before the new door arrives...

I've been doing some 'pointing' at the back of the fireplace. With sand and lime filling in the gaps between the stones. I really like it! I am going to start at the outside of the house now, trying to do a bucket per day and working my way around.

Last night I had a first ride out on Milo: all by himself out on the tracks, through the river and round, ending up at our neighbours' place for a break and a chat. He is standing nice and still with mounting and doesn't worry about things too much. All the gentle work of the last three years is paying of. I'm so proud of my horse! (and me!)

Autumn

Hiya

Well, here we are in September, the last of the tourists have headed home and we are left to prepare for winter... beautiful sunny days at the moment to assist in our wood collection, finishing off the harvest and then contemplating the rather large job of the redesigning the house!
I have had the Rayburn sandblasted and it is now resprayed (not a bad job for my first one) and this week I have been collecting large pieces of old, thick slate that will be our kitchen floor. Having searched and researched woodburners, decided to buy a British Hunter...this looked likely to cost the best part of €1,000...tomorrow I am picking up a 3 year old one after my market in Carhaix for €350...very nice indeed..
I have finished recladding one of the barns (pics to follow), will finish it off with stable doors and then the focus will be on the house. As to how much we can achieve before winter is the question, I am starting to feel alittle worn out and looking forward to a winter rest (a Tui ad I suspect!)
However, winter will be the time I shall get ready for my bees, have decided to buy a (French) traditional hive and build a top bar hive so I can see the difference. Mick (of Gambia fame) is briefly back and has both experience and preference re bee hives so there is plenty for me to digest. I am reading beekeeping for dummies right now which is a lovely broad stroke guide....
A big mention to a lovely Belgium couple, Linda and Thierry...they have introduced me into the fascinating world of Belgium beer...oh boy what stunning beer it is. Also rekindling my desire to own and be able(!) to ride an old Harley..lovely.
Charlie and Lola are back at school yet the teacher now wanting them to go fulltime, we both think they are too young so we shall have to wait and see if we can hold the line! I really can not see they need fulltime school this year, we are not obliged by law so if the school insists we shall find another in the area..
All in all life is good here in Kervelen, kids are happy, the land is fertile, we have met some lovely people..if only I could crack the speaking French part..lentement!