Au Revoir Jesse

Posted on August 28, 2018 by La Giraudiere

Fond Farewell to Joyful Jesse

We bid Au Revoir to our resident Irishman

We again are saying farewell to one of our volunteers. Today, Jesse returns home so to conclude his time here, we decided to do a quick interview about his time here and what he enjoyed the most…

1. What jobs were you doing during your time at La Giraudière?

I was doing a variety of jobs, including housekeeping, gardening, building maintenance and helping with events.

2. What was your first impression of La Giraudière?

I thought it was very peacful and the countryside made it very calm and relaxing. It was also such a multicultural environment as well as having strong French roots.

3.  What was your highlight of your time at LG?

I can’t pin down one moment, but I really enjoyed getting to practise my French with the locals, and making new friends from across the globe.

4. What was your favourite excursion?

It would probably be Aubeterre sur Dronne. I went there when I was younger so it was like walking down memory lane to be there again.

5. Would you come back to LG?

Yes of course!

Farewell Jesse

Farewell Jesse

Thank you again for all your hard work Jesse, and we wish you every success when you return to the UK!!!

Posted in about La Giraudiere, France, Learning French, volunteer, Volunteering | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Au Revoir Jesse

Dinner with a Twist

Posted on August 28, 2018 by La Giraudiere

Chinese Banquet in Brossac

At La Giraudière, we all take it in turns to cook for each other. Commonly, people cook their favourite dishes from home or dishes that their countries are famous for. On Tuesday, we were delighted to receive a Chinese Banquet from our 4 volunteers from China. Onstead of keeping this to ourseves, we invited 7 locals from Brossac along for a party!

Group picture

Group picture

Since it was going to be such a big task, the rest of the volunteers decided to lend a hand, and the girls taught us how to make dumplings and hot pot. We just about managed to get the hang of it in the end!

Teaching us to make dumplings

Teaching us to make dumplings

When the locals arrived, it gave all of our volunteers the opportunity to practise their French with native speakers. We all took advantage of this and the locals helped with our grammar and pronunciation. Alognside some great conversation, we also enjoyed some fabulous food and wine. The locals especially loved the Chinese dumplings and many of us went up for seconds…and thirds!

To end the evening, we all played music from home. We learned some French songs and dinner party games, and Eilidh let the locals listen to Trail West and Tide Lines (2 well loved bands from Scotland). The mix of cultures was amazing and we all thouroughly enjoyed our evening.

Discussing our favourite music!

Discussing our favourite music!

Thank you to all the locals for coming along, the volunteers for cooking and Paul for arranging the evening. We hope to do it again soon!!

Posted in about La Giraudiere, Community Event, France, France China alliance, Franco Chine, Learning French, volunteer, Volunteering | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Dinner with a Twist

Star Night at La Giraudière

Posted on August 28, 2018 by La Giraudiere

Vincent, Dankie, Winnie and Ivy have been in Bordeaux for three days, they had a great time there, what impressed them most were the Miroir d’Eau and Wine Hall. Bordeaux was  really an awesome city. IMG_7776

On Sunday afternoon, they came back by train and met Jessie by coincidence who was one of the volunteers at La Giraudière, the train was late about two hours. It was eleven o’clock when they arrived at La Giraudière, the sky was so beautiful ,the cloudless sky was jeweled with myriads of glittering stars.  Here, the dusk is sudden, the night is silent. Vincent, Dankie, Winnie and Ivy were so excited to see such a wonderful night. It has been a long time for them to see so many stars. They had fun last night and took a lot of splendid pictures of stars.IMG_7823IMG_7821

IMG_7824

Posted in Volunteering | Comments Off on Star Night at La Giraudière

Au Revoir to our Chinese Volunteers

Posted on August 22, 2018 by La Giraudiere

Farewell to our Four Chinese Volunteers

Home Time for our Favourite Four

Saying goodbye is never easy, especially when it is to our amazing Chinese volunteers!! Each and every one of them has been a ray of sunshine and great to work with. During their time here they have contributed a lot to our website by translating it all into Chinese. This was a massive help to us as it will increase the number of Chinese voluntourists we get as well as broadening our audience.

The girls after an interview with the local paper, alongside the journalists and Paul

The girls after an interview with the local paper, alongside the journalists and Paul

Alongside all their office work, they have been amazing chefs. Despite only staying for one week, they cooked twice for us. Once, a yummy curry with rice and milk tea, and last night they prepared a feast for ourselves and some of the locals! This took a lot of hard work and preparation but it totally paid off!!

Cooking meatballs for the locals

Cooking meatballs for the locals

Teaching us to make dumplings

Teaching us to make dumplings

During their free weekend, the girls headed off to nearby Bordeaux. During their trip, they visited lots of sights, including the world famous alcohol museum (well, it would be rude not to!) They then rented a car and drove to the Dunes du Pilat where they saw the magnificent sand dune, bordered by both sea and jungle.

These four  volunteers will definetly be missed, and everyone at La Giraudière would like to wish them a safe flight home and their bestest wishes.

Posted in France, France China alliance, Franco Chine, Learn English, Students, volunteer, Volunteering, Website | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Au Revoir to our Chinese Volunteers

Tourist Times Together

Posted on August 22, 2018 by La Giraudiere

Tourist Times Together

Volunteers Tour the Market and Aubeterre

To welcome our new volunteers, we had an exciting and busy Monday! Firstly we attended the local Chalais market. From meats to make up, there was something for everyone. Most of our volunteers took advantage of the multiple fruit stalls available and brought home peaches and strawberries for our lunch. We also purchased local cheeses, souveniers and of course the local wine, Pineau.

After devouring our purchases for lunch, we headed to Aubeterre Sur Dronne. Listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France, it is located in South Charente, around 25 minutes from La Giraudière. The group collectively visited The Church of Saint Jean and the useful guides allowed us to understand the history and structure of the old building. It is the largest subterranean church in Europe and it was only rediscoevered in the 1950’s due to a rock fall concealing the church for centuries. After the tour, the group took to the streets and explored the alley ways and found all sorts of shops and cafes to relax in.

Inside The Church of St Jean, lookiung up at the old, stone pillars

Inside The Church of St Jean, looking up at the old, stone pillars

Look at this view!!

Look at this view!!

In the evening, we were lucky enough to be cooked dinner by our 4 Chinese volunteers at La Giraudière. They made soup, curry, rice and sweet milk tea which was enjoyed by everyone on site! It was a perfect way to welcome our latest volunteers and now we are all back to work again!!

Our yummy dinner!

Our yummy dinner!

Posted in France, France China alliance, Franco Chine, French Markets, Time out, volunteer, Volunteering | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Tourist Times Together