"Personne a ce document!"

On Sunday morning Barbara took me along to church, and it was lovely! Met a lot of friendly people, many of whom were almost entirely bilingual, or working towards it. I recognised nearly all of the songs, and it was really interesting to see how both the music and the teaching translated. A glass of water and a lot of introductions later it was back to Barbara's to pick up some lunch, then off out with the younger members of the church for a picnic by the lake. 

Turns out the lake here, not so much like the lakes I'm used to! It was blue, for a start :P Before we went swimming everyone sat down to eat, and I was able to try my hand for the first time at the game of Pétanque (a French favourite). It involves the ability to throw with some accuracy, so naturally I did not win. Then we spent the rest of the afternoon swimming, sunbathing and chatting, in French and in English, so it was partly good practice! 
(I didn't take my phone so there are no photos of the lake, but no doubt when I return at a later date I'll be able to get some.)

* * *

A week today since I got here, and uni is starting! It was registration today, which I was only just on time for. Turned up at quarter to 11 and managed to queue in the international student queue, which was about 10 times longer than the Erasmus queue that I was supposed to be in! Thankfully someone pointed that out to me, and I got into the right queue exactly in time to get registered before they closed for lunch at 12. I have to go back tomorrow with another form and collect my student card, then I can start registering for classes. Also bumped into some fellow Birmingham students who were there looking just as confused as I was, which was slightly reassuring!

New thing I realised today: the French don't sell lined paper. At all. It's all squared, or squared with lines. So I bought a pad which I think will make me feel very dizzy every time I have to take notes this semester! Bodes well for the months ahead.

Also took my first trip to the beach today :D 

Barbara invited some friends, who, as it turns out, know some friends of my family! Small world. The sea was a LOT colder than I thought it would be, but we all went swimming anyway. Then I built a very small pyramid in the sand, and rewarded myself for my hard work with a nap.

La vie, c'est dure!
Sarah 
xx