Day 1603 (Thursday) 28th October 2021

Yet another super early alarm this morning and we got ready in the dark but when the sun did rise it was magnificent.

As much as I appreciate the beauty of these sunrises I’m really looking forward to sleeping through the next three dawns. 

There was a cruise ship in the bay when we left this morning and when Huw got home  there were two of them. Shame they didn’t get the usual perfect blue sky.

It was pretty cold on Kisbee this morning and the sun didn’t hit the garden at the college until 10.30am and I had to wear a jacket during break – that the first time in months and months.

I had the same group of students for four hours this morning, which wasn’t easy  but they are a nice bunch of young people. I had to go to the office at lunchtime to be told about the upcoming oral exams and it was all done in French so I’m still not entirely sure exactly what’s going on. I need to speak to Scottish Gillian in Paris and she’ll put me straight. I ate my sandwiches in the garden and had a chat with Welsh Sarah and it was soon time to go back to class. This group had had a Teams class from home this morning for two hours so some couldn’t get to class in time because they don’t all live in Nice so I had 6 people in the class and 5 people online – it really isn’t easy but thankfully due to Covid they are used to it and all the disruptions that go with it.

At 3.30 I walked over to International House, had a 5-minute break in Parc Mozart before joining lovely Jennifer at 4.15. at 5pm the shutters in our classroom started closing so I went to the office to say we were still here making sure we weren’t locked in the for the night. We were reassured that the school would not close before 6pm but we decided to finish our lesson in the bar/café across the road for a coffee. When we got there Jennifer decided that it was time for a beer because we had both had a very long day, my kind of woman. I caught the tram to the Old Port where Huw was waiting to take me home. I was very happy to be home and I’m really looking forward to not seeing the sunrise in the morning.

This week in France: What you need to know

Zombie walks take place around France on Saturday. Photo: Thomas Samson/AFP

From school holidays to flu vaccines to the clocks changing, here's what is happening in France this week.

This week

Expected some time this week is a decision on whether health passports will be required to use ski lifts in French resorts.

Monday

Monday marks the beginning of the Toussaint (All Saints) school holidays, which can change things like opening hours at your local swimming pool, leisure centre or museum. The holidays run until Monday, November 8th.

Monday

The flu vaccine is now available. The launch date was brought forward slightly to October 22nd and it is now available from pharmacies, doctors and midwives. Those in priority groups get vaccinated for free but anyone can get the vaccine if they are willing to pay €8-€10, plus the cost of an appointment to have it administered. Those not in priority groups will have to wait until November 23rd, however.

Monday

Expected on Monday is a decision from the European Medicines Agency on whether Moderna’s Covid vaccine should be used as a booster shot. France has currently suspended the use of Moderna for booster shots after concerns were raised about rare cardiac effects in younger people. The booster shot programme is continuing for those in eligible groups, using the Pfizer vaccine. 

Tuesday

EU energy ministers hold a meeting in Luxembourg to discuss the issue of soaring fuel prices. France has announced a 100€ one-off grant to people on lower incomes to help them cope with the cost increases.

Thursday

The debate on the extension of health pass legislation moves to the Senate, after MPs in the Assemblée nationale approved last week an extension of the pass until July 31st 2022, if the health situation requires.

Thursday

The Salon du Chocolat opens at Porte de Versailles in Paris. The celebration of all things chocolate runs until Monday.

Saturday

If you’re in Paris watch out for zombies, the annual Zombie Walk starts at 1pm at the Place de la République. Expect amazing costumes but if you want to take part then a health pass will be required – even the undead need to stay Covid-safe. Zombie walks are also scheduled for a number of other French cities including Lyon, Toulouse, Reims, Caen and Avignon.

Sunday

Deadline to register to pay taxe d’habitation and redevance audiovisuelle (the French TV licence) if you want to pay by monthly instalments.

Sunday

October 31st is the last day when tenants who are in arrears can be evicted before the trêve hivernale (winter truce) begins on Monday.

Sunday

At 3am on Sunday the clocks go back one hour, marking the end of summer time. This means an extra hour in bed on Sunday, while in further good news Monday is a public holiday to mark All Saints Day (Toussaint).

Sunday is also Halloween which, while it is not quite as big a deal in France as it is in the US, will probably still include a few parties and kids in scary costumes. 

Cats