France

Ok so Im in France! Have been since early on mon morn. My last week in UK was even more boring than the first week until the last 2 days when I had an AO reunion on the sat and Mum and Dads Silver anniversary do on the sun at home. Earlier on in the week all Id done was meet up with Ruth briefly on the mon and Salma for lunch on the fri.....

So got here on monday morn having had about 3 hours sleep during the night. Dropped my case off at the house and Melanie my lovely housemate took me to the chateau to meet a few people (cant find the comma on this keyboard _ or the apostrophe or hyphen!) She drove me to the supermarche to do a quick shop and then once Id unpacked a bit and done a little tour of the village I had a 4 hour nap! After that I felt normal lol

So started work on the tues. This week Ive been observing only. From 10 thirty till 1 in the morn I observed the general commentary every half hour, taking notes (found the comma!) In the avo from 2 thirty till 4 thirty I was observing surveillance of the 1st floor (all the main rooms really - entrance room, fireplace room, vestibule, masters bedroom, study, ladys bedroom and the tearoom). Surveillance is sooooooo boring! If you re lucky you get to switch off the odd alarm set off by some bratty kid. Every now and then you remind a visitor phots are forbidden, or ask the occasional parent to keep a closer hold of their unruly toddler. Generally you mess around on the hands_free talkie with whoever is on surveillance on the groundfloor.

Weds morning, was observing in the ticket kiosk (weather is shite atm so was freezing for 3 and a half hours) In the avo I was down on the rota to do some translation work in the office. The manageress said I could work from home on my laptop though, so I did _ for 5 hours!

Thurs morn, I observed in the boutique, then had 2 more hours of observing surveillance (such a lot to learn there!) and then I observed the 3rd group of commentaries (2nd group of the avo). As from this fri Ill be doing the commentaries myself _eek! Theres so much to learn (really, this time!) These commentaries take place at a rendezvous point in the courtyard of honnour; so at least when the weather improves I might get a suntan! Also have my training for the guided tours on fri........much more to learn!!!!!!!!! Little stressed bout that. Hmmmmmm. I will get to do one commentary a week in English though_phew! A little light relief.

Yesterday I had 3 and a half hours of surveillance!!!! On my own this time. First half on the groundfloor (in the courtyard where was freezing) and second half up on the first floor inside where its not much warmer to be honest! Then in the avo I observed Melanies commentaries for 2 hours and then observed in the boutique for an hour and a half.

Today is my first day off, spent finding this free internet access at the ofice de tourisme, doing more food shopping, finding out where I do laundry at the chateau, possibly doing a tour of the chateau myself as I dont yet know where all the rooms are etc and maybe housework as Melanie lives in a bit of a pigsty, even by my standards, before of course sitting down to learn all my scripts. So not really much time to relax! Although last night I did have a long soak in the tub (yes we have a bath!) with itunes blaring out from my laptop and a glass or 2 of a bordeaux wine.

So far this week Ive worked about 27 hours. Tomoz Im doing more surveillance and observing the commentary again. Havent taken any pictures yet really but when I do I will get some up on here! Hautefort doesnt even have a cash machine btw. Luckily havent needed one so far as the only shopping I can do is food shopping at intermarche as thats all there is really! So always pay on card. This avo am gonna discover the next village (within walking distance) that DOES have a cash machine!

Right, thats all for now! Leave comments or email me please!