Cherbourg

One of the best ways to get some practice in the language you are learning - is to go to that country - and seek to interact with the locals. That's what I have been doing over the last few days. My daughter and I went to Cherbourg, in Normandy, France.



Whilst over there we ordered a number of meals (breakfast in the Boulangerie maison Toulorge (Boulevard de l'Est - Rue des métiers 50110 Tourlaville Tél : 02 33 20 37 84 - http://www.maison-toulorge.com) was a delight each morning - and brought some useful practice.) and we asked questions in a number of shops. We even had a couple of conversations on the bus.

We were able to do a lot of reading - I got newspapers each day - and have a number of books that I brought home. When we visited tourist attractions we made a point of reading the FRENCH information plaques. There is a delightful walk along the path by the road on the west of Cherbourg - which set out the history of the harbour. We also enjoyed the Chateau de Ravalet. It's a council owned building and gardens - beautifully kept - with a superb café. At the moment they have an exquisite exhibition celebrating "Alice au Pays des Merveilles" - the staff were in costume; the exhibition had some superbly made "fausses pâtisseries" made by l'atelier de Caline.



In the evenings at our hotel we were able to watch some TV.

I've come back a lot more confident about my speaking, listening & reading French