Reflection – French volunteering experience

Colin and Marlene from Uk reflect about their 2015 summer and their French volunteering experience

We have just celebrated our 20th Wedding anniversary and as we sit here marking our anniversary we reflect back on our three week French volunteering experience at La Giraudiere this summer, 2014.

The experience stands out for many reasons. We have had the opportunity to experience the French way of life first hand. La Giraudiere was situated in the beautiful farmlands and wine growing area of the Charente department and only a few miles drive from the small market town of Chalais.

We arrived at Chalais train station after a one hour train journey from Bordeaux and a flight from the UK.  Paul was there to meet us at the station as planned.   Paul was very welcoming and friendly and made us feel at home. He introduced us to our fellow guests and quickly told us what to expect and what would be our roles and volunteering duties during our 3 week stay.

This was a great opportunity to learn some new skills and work and live with people from different backgrounds, nationalities and cultures. Sharing and learning from each other and doing things together as a group made the experience more memorable.

The memories we have, include sharing the experience of the July the 13^th celebrations, Bastille day, and magnificent fire work display to classical music over the lake.  These cultural events to celebrate Bastille Day gave the LG volunteers the opportunity to meet the locals, practice our French and be involved in what is the village major event of the year.

 

La Giraudiere volunteers are always invited to help set up the celebration and as a reward an evening dinner with the committee du fetes on the beach to watch the fireworks.

I enjoyed the experience of playing French bowls, or boules, twice a week with our group and the locals. This game called petanque was a national sport and we embraced the experience by sharing a glass of wine and practicing our conversational skills.

 

 

The music nights and local bands by the lake were good fun and a great opportunity to let your hair down and socialise with the group and meet the local people.

The impromptu quiz night at La Giraudiere was another evening to remember and very entertaining and competitive and adjudicated by my wife Marlene who was very fair and firm with those that disputed the answers.   There was an impromptu card games evening on our last night following our farewell meal and this was enjoyed by all.

 

The meals at local restaurants at weekends and the trips to the Famous workers café at Bardenac for lunch was another highlight.

The group day out to the west coast of France. The Atlantic coast and the beautiful countryside of the wine growing regions of Cognac were stunning sights and great memories.  I enjoyed driving the secound car that day and it was so more relaxing than driving on the busy roads in England.

There was the opportunity to learn French from other volunteers and the French tutor who visited each week was very charming, encouraging and inspiring.  There are so many experiences and memories from our three weeks at La Giraudiere.

Taking turns to cook for the group.  I particularly enjoyed cooking and preparing evening meal for the larger group and the receiving of the different cuisines when the other volunteers took their turn.

I enjoyed working with Paul and other volunteer. It was here I picked up some valuable hands on D I Y skills. The most abiding memories was being made to feel welcome and at home and made to feel part of the group. We miss you Paul, Sydney and the rest of the group who were there in July and would love to go back and do it all again. I enclose some pictures and hope to send more in the near future.

 

 

For more information about a French volunteering experience at La Giraudiere visit  Volunteering in France