Farewell

I am torn in two - french and english friends come to say au revoir. I take refuge in pastis and serve that Australian classic gateau Pavlova which goes down a treat. One of our neighbours gives us a freshly killed and skinned rabbit, handpicked walnuts and handmade walnut oil as a farewell gift. We are honoured. This is the same neighbour who lent us his piano for the duration of our stay so my son could practice his jazz. Our village voisins have been very kind and welcoming. I feel incredibly lucky and depart with a heavy heart.

Several days later I have dinner with friends in Paris, she's just quit her job in the film industry to write novels full-time. She had a publisher for her first book before it was even finished and is currently negotiating a number of offers from french film directors.

Writers are highly respected in France, they're considered a vital ingredient in the development of a vibrant, informed democracy. Indeed Emile Zola's highly controversial letter "J'Accuse", featured on the front page of the newspaper L'Aurore in 1898, almost sparked civil war. And everyone looked to de Beauvoir and Sartre in the 1900s; interestingly de Beauvoir's observations in her biography "The Prime of Life" about capitalism a hundred years ago are just as pertinent today.

How I wish I could stay and continue the journey. Liam from Uni of Lincoln's SIREN/FM is still working on resolving the station playlist issues, Clive and Fiona are maintaining a presence at the University, and with Clotilde hopefully the three of them can generate student involvement. Local content is coming in, slowly. I'm keen to continue but once again have to put all emotions on hold.