“…good company, good wine, good welcome, can make good people.”<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n A warm welcome from Sidney<\/p><\/div>\n As Paul, the Program Director, drove me from the train station to La Giraudi\u00e8re; the breathtaking views of sunflower fields, vineyards and red-roofed houses were exactly what I’d hoped the Southwestern French countryside would be. Upon arriving at the house I was greeted with a very warm welcome from Sidney, the black Labrador, who later joined Paul and I on the grand tour of the old stone house. As I’m filled in on all the goings-on at LG, I can’t wait to get started on helping to plan future events.<\/p>\n A busy first day at work<\/p><\/div>\n Today, on my first full day as a volunteer at LG, I’ve jumped straight into the marketing and social media aspect of the project. With all sorts of events such as a Pub Games night, Belgian and German evenings, Bonfire Night and a Christmas Market planned in the next few months, there’s a lot of organising and promoting to do! During my three weeks at La Giraudi\u00e8re, I’m looking forward to participating in the project\u2019s clerical day-to-day, marketing and event planning work; and of course lending a hand to any other jobs that need doing around the house. Although I’m afraid I’ll need some guidance from other members of the team when it’s my turn to cook!<\/p>\n I can’t wait to spend my weekends meeting and socialising with the locals, or the Brossacais as they’re called; and discovering more of the beautiful rural landscape that surrounds the village of Brossac. I’ve been promised a bike by Paul, so who knows where I’ll end up! I’m keen to visit the nearby market that takes place every Monday, and I might even try my luck at one of the village’s bi-weekly P\u00e9tanque games!<\/p>\n A bottle of Bordeaux’s finest at La Giraudi\u00e8re<\/p><\/div>\n And after passing through Bordeaux yesterday, I’m also very eager to return and spend a few days exploring the city. Rue Sainte-Catherine, which at 1.2km is Europe’s longest shopping strips, is especially tempting!<\/p>\n So after my first 24 hours here at La Giraudi\u00e8re, the next few weeks are set to be an exciting and interesting experience. As I make the most of the French red wine and\u00a0sunshine, there’ll certainly be plenty of things to keep me busy!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Elain Jones, a student studying Welsh and French at Cardiff University, publishes her first blog entry at La Giraudi\u00e8re.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/em><\/strong>Don’t forget to\u00a0like and follow on\u00a0La Giraudiere Facebook<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Twitter<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" French red wine and sunshine at La Giraudi\u00e8re As the end of May approached and my stay in France drew to a close, I couldn’t wait to start planning my next French adventure. As a student at Cardiff University, I’d … Continue reading ![\"Volunteer](\"https:\/\/www.lagiraudiere.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/A-warm-welcome-from-Sidney.jpg\" "\\"A")
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