1st September Sables d'Olonne

The campsite is large and it provides many opportunities to observe the French at play, and even work.It is, however , the end of the holiday season and many are leaving so we can only read the papers. The local, eg regional daily is Le Ouest, an interestingpaper which provides simple French for us non-believers!

Of the many stories doing the rounds, several catch the eye.

Firstly, the stories about Carla! According to the Iranian news, and who should challenge their intimate knowledge, she is a 'singer and depraved actress. Later they claim she is a prostitute (no doubt of the high class variety). Now this seems to evoke the fury of the government but not, incidentally, the local paper who puts it on page 3 or 4 and in a small item, no deadline, no indignation etc. Why? Perhaps they know something we don't?Whatever, the point of the Iranian indignation is that Carla has expressed a negative view about their decision to stone a woman for adultery. Perhaps the accusation that one is a harlot can be lived with if it saves a woman from such a fate.

Secondly, there is the story about the expulsion of the 'Roms' which began about the 30th August, ordered by Nicholas Sarkozy. This does not seem to have been universally praised in France, even by his ministers. It could be reminiscent of the disintegration of a government in the UK when so many peopled ganged up against the incumbent PM and criticised his actions inthe lead up to an election. Sarkozy's does seem very heavy handed and contrary to reasonable behaviour even though there is a problem with 'travellers' in general in France. Having said that, the Roms do not seem to be themselves a problem. On the 30th Aug the Ouest reported the trial of some 'English' person who was a 'bitumen fraudster' near Caen. So, who do we iknow who regularly appears at ones gate offering a 'cheap' service to 'tarmac your drive, misses?' Apparently they have moved to Normandy!

Thirdly, there is the issue of 'La grande retour' eg the start of the new school year. And this year it's the reform of the Lycees. What exactly this involves is hard to comprehend but loads of people, teachers, ministers and so on seem to have their knickers in a twist over this development. What is striking is that the French seem about to embrace the concept of the individualised curriculum, and maybe also the core curriculum, and it starts in 'la seconde classe' although how exactly this will work out is unclear.

So, there you go. That's how we spend our time.

Also watching and trying to photograph wild life. The album newly attached has some pictures.