Hops

Is anyone travelling up by car from La Rochelle to Paris on either Thursday 18 Oct or Friday 19 Oct? There's a massive strike at the SNCF planned for the Thursday and rail travel is likely to be affected the following day. I'm keen to get up to the capital to meet friends and soak up the World Cup atmosphere. Mind you, I don't have a ticket for the game so it's not the end of the world if I end up watching it in La Rochelle. I'll make my own way back by TGV on the Sunday afternoon. All offers gratefully received. Naturally, I would share the travel expenses. Cheers.

Why not a day out on the Ile de Ré? We live about 3km from the bridge and are always popping across. Good time of the year to visit since the toll's only 9 euros and it's dead quiet. You can hire bikes as well as a trailer for the kids. Some nice restaurants for the adults too. I'd recommend a spot of lunch followed by a leisurely cycle along the coast.

Hello, just along the coast in Nieul-sur-mer. I set up an English conversation circle when I moved here from Paris a couple of years ago. The idea was to get me out of the house (I work from home) once a week. It wasn't necessarily aimed at fellow Brits and everyone who turned up was French, which was fine. It sort of fizzled out over the weeks and months although I'm still in touch with one French person who lives in La Rochelle and we get together for the occasional chinwag (excellent English). My wife's French and we've got 2 boys aged 6 and 4 (we though are in our mid-40s, late starters!). I've got so lazy recently and hardly speak any English at home these days so the kids' standard of English has fallen accordingly. I could be persuaded to kick-start the conversation circle, what with the nights starting to draw in. A couple of people have recently asked me if I'm still doing it so it's got potential. Maybe in La Rochelle this time. I know an ideal venue. Nice bar near the old port. French patron with English wife. In any case, give me a buzz to talk about it. I'll PM you. Cheers!