Joannaall the best, Joanna

My son is doing fables this term in quatrieme! [:)]

I  wonder if there s anyone out there who would like to come and ride one of my two horses.....you will need to be a confident, quiet and competent rider, as the mare is a pure bred Lusitano, and not a novice ride...(tho in no way nasty, just hot headed and sensitive). I am hoping to find someone to accompany me on hacks in the hills...(here is some lovely riding country on my doorstep) and who will help a little with the care of the horses in return.  Email me.....i live in Villeneuve La Comptal, near Castelnaudary, Aude.Thanks.  

We went up Mont D'Olmes, in the Ariege, on boxing day, the weather was about as bad as it gets and our 4 wheel drive showed no sign of needing snow chains.....so if its any help i think I would agree with the person who said that 4 wheel drive vehicles are unlikely to need them......other times i've driven up the roads have been clear anyway.....

As you can see by the smileys, we are as yet not quite sure what we think.....with 2 children at college....aged 12 and 13, who have been en france since novembre, the jury is still very much out. On the one hand, the behaviour and attitude of the children is 100% better than the Uk, BUT...and it is a big BUT......the comments  about French teachers not being able to deal with kids who are in any way DIFFERENT is only appearing too true....mine try really hard in French, but after such a short time aRE still way off being able to keep up...and tha attitude seems to be that they should be able to.....most (tho not all) teachers seem to have the attitude that when you can speak French well help you, but not til then.....we didnt expect babying, it was our choice to come, but we hop[ed for a sympathetic attitude...12 and 13 is still very young, anfd their life is diificult enough....has anyone any advice? there are no other English speaking kids at the school....must be a rareity these days!!Please do email replies.....Jo