It is useful to listen to French when we can and some interesting recordings come with the Bien-Dire magazine. At one meeting we listened to an audio recording of an article about the author Maurice Leblanc & his fictional principal character Arsene Lupin, the gentleman burglar. Many of his books are available, so given sufficient time and enthusiasm there is plenty to keep us occupied

We read an article about the real-life origins of various Comptines – French Nursery Rhymes. You can find many of them played and translated on the internet. Interesting because like English nursery rhymes many relate to actual historical events

At a gathering of only three of us we listened to a song “Salade de Fruits” sung by Bourvil, a gentle account of romance on a tropical island. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5n3U2yjfDM

Taking advantage of our small numbers we listened to a brief account of a young woman’s interview for a journalism training course, the account being in the form of conversations between four people. Having heard it we each took turns to speak the appropriate part of the conversation.

For three successive meetings we continued reading the book I have previously mentioned about the vicissitudes of Ibrahim’s life. The book had a happy ending with him established as the Arab proprietor of the corner shop that he inherited from his friend and mentor, the Sufi Turkish grocer. (see my report no 8)

Brian Caulkett