My Ashby Years (2)

This first job was in Burton Upon Trent (Staffs), in a rather posh hotel & restaurant which I’ll call here The Duck. They agreed to employ me and to train me as a restaurant waiter. They had a staff house nearby and I had to share a room with an other French waiter, Pascal.

Pascal had started at The Duck 6 months previously without hardly being able to say 2 words in English. He was a very lively young man and quite excentric too. For instance he would play golf in the middle of our tiny lounge staff house. Pascal didn’t have a happy family life. Sometimes he would enter our bedroom in the middle of the night completely drunk and would tell me everything about his life…

At some stage it became intolorable for me to share a room with Pascal. I said to the manager that if I couldn’t have a room for myself I would give my resignation… Well it worked ! I did have my own room.

A very memorable episode was when the day before Pascal was going to go on holiday in France with his English girl-friend he woke us up complaining to have a very upset tommy. We rushed him to hospital. There the GP asked him what was the trouble. I had to translate that « He was in pain because his girl-friend had s… him too hard ! » With my house mates we were hoping that they would keep him overnight… they didn’t…

Chapelle St Julien de Salinelles near Sommières (4)

Chapelle St Julien de Salinelles near Sommières (3)

Chapelle St Julien de Salinelles near Sommières (2)

Chapelle St Julien de Salinelles near Sommières (1)

My Ashby Years (1)

I still didn't know what to do with my life. At the time I was involved with the Pithiviers-Ashby De La Zouch (Leics) Twinning Association. Mainly following a conversation English course but I soon met people from Ashby while on their visit in Pithiviers. I particurlarly became friendly with Jo. She had lost her husband lately and was nonetheless very lively and had a great sense of humour. I didn't have anything to loose and so eventually I decided - after a few visits to Jo's and trips with the Twinning - to go to live in Ashby to learn English there and then, deep in the pan. I packed "everything except the sink" in my car and crossed the Channel, on the ferry, we were in 1987. I had booked a B & B recommended by someone from Ashby. This B & B was run by Mark & Julie who are still friends of mine. Julie was a Scott and an other lodger was from Northern England. It would have been quite funny I suppose to listen to us 3 with those different and very distinctives accents.
The plan was to get a job in a restaurant as a waiter. Thanks to Mark's advice I found out a live in job in Burton Upon Trent within 10 days.

Women are Heroes

I went to see this film at the Arts & Essay cinema of Montpellier le Diagonal. (see : http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/30/watch-jrs-women-are-heroe_n_802936.html) Un fortunately I fall asleep during the show but I was interested by this idea of making "stars" of everyday people who are struggling for their life.

Update last 10 days

Sorry folks ! I haven't been in touch lately. I have been out quite a lot and didn't take time out to write down here. I have been meeting up Meetup on several occasions :
- Exhibition at the Bonnington Gallery (Art & Design School of Nottingham University Trent) : Waterlust
- Films at Broadway : Of Men and Gods ; Rise, Rise, Roar ; The King's Speech.

Last Monday I went to a theatre quiz at the Playhouse. Fairly enjoyable. I was in a small team of pass members and D. from the Management. We didn't win but didn't loose either :)

VISITORS TIPS FOR FRENCH TEENAGERS

Like a lot of old Cities Nottingham has got its shares of unusalities and odities. So let’s have a look at some of those which would most probably interest French teenagers visiting our City.

Starting from Derby Rd near the Cathedral there is a tunnel. It’s hidden along side a private building and looks like the entrance of a underground car park. This tunnel leads to The Park, a private residential neighborhood. It’s one of the largest neighborhood in Europe still using gaz for lighting. Coming out of the tunnel and keeping to your left you’ll eventually go underneath the rock and through the exit gate. Straight above is the Castle. From the Castle terrace we could talk about all the caves, tunnels and passages which have been dug. And from this view point, among other things, we can point to Radcliff Power Station, one of the largest still using coal.

A bit of History then. Going out from the Castle and going up hill on St James Terrace, take the 1st left. Just before entering a private residence there is a plaque on the floor stating « Here Charles I raised his standard in 1642 » An opportunity to say a few words about the War of the Roses.

You will then go back on your steps to the Castle and walk your way to the Lace Market via Friar Lane, Old Market Square, South Parade (along the Tram tracks), turning right on Exchange Walk, carrying on Albert St and going left on Low Pavement. Go on the left along Nottingham Contemporary and immediately on your right you’ll see the pub « Pitcher & Piano ». It used to be a church and the windows have survived the refurbishment. It is worth taking a look and maybe having a toast there to the English-French friendship !

Nottinghamshire : Bunny Village Hall