So it seems my little virtual jaunt through Rimes recently to explore the champagne houses, vineyards and underground caves stocked with champagne came in handy. While YouTube can only go so far in firing up my imagination, there comes a time when you simply need to “do it for real”.

So it wasn’t exactly a real trip to the champagne regions of France but close enough. I went to an end of year French champagne and Bûche de Noel (Yule log) tasting event hosted by my teacher Nathalie at her school “My French Journey” in Hampton.

I started this structured conversation class over ten weeks ago and immensely enjoyed everything. I’m someone who likes structure in lesson planning so what Nathalie offered was weekly conversation topics related to French living and culture. Her open questions and use of the whiteboard to correct pronunciation and other mistakes provided instant feedback. There was lots of homework too as well as other side events such as a Book Club and Sunday French Conversation walks that I also religiously attended.

Long story short, these classes and events had me speaking entirely in French and introduced me to other Francophiles – many retirees who travel to France regularly and enjoy the culture. I’ll be continuing with her classes into the new year simply because I find them educational, current and we also get served a piece of delicious French gateaux in each class.

Franky, that’s the way to run a class! 🤣

Last night she invited JP, an importer of French wines and champagnes to present to a group of 35 or so of her students about them, their production and the region that they’re from.

There were lots of wines to try but I had only the champagnes which I loved. I preferred the Pinot Noir champagne (blend). It was less acidic than Australian sparkling wine and it went down quite nicely. You could buy the bottles there for cheaper than retail but I declined for now even though I was happy to do the tastings. They were all delicious really.

As well as some aperitifs, we were treated to a tasting of the French Yule log courtesy of the French shop Gateaux in Mentone. There was a traditional log but also a more “nouvelle cuisine” like one which was not only pretty to look at but divine to eat. It was paired up nicely with a wine of course.

Here’s Nathalie, my teacher holding up the cake. 👇

Overall a wonderful evening to end the year (despite it being blisteringly hot and humid – but today it’s gone back to winter with constant rain and thunderstorms).

This ends my French classes and events for the year with everything starting up again in 2024. I may need to rethink my French classes and commitments in the new year depending on my golfing commitments too which I’d like to focus on more as I’m improving there too. With my Heritage Group commitments and also starting the Golf Club’s Book Club group, I may have my hands full but I’ll see how I go. I also have my YouTube channel which is also bringing in some passive income (albeit tiny amount) which I’ll continue.

I think 2024 will be a good year for me where I could finally close the chapter of my “old persona” that being someone who was trying to come to terms with their old life of working for companies and corporates supporting their social and community learning through technology to having nothing do with any of these ever again.

Or having to think about it.

They are well and truly in my past and never to be revisited or referred to.

In some way, I’m glad I finished up work earlier than expected. I don’t think I could have gone through this “personal transformation” while working especially at a time when the workplace seems to be more hectic, AI focussed, technology driven. In some way, my life has become a lot simpler and less mentally taxing for me. The need to be “current, keep up with my field or profession, or comparing myself to others” all has gone out the window thankfully.

None of that matters anymore and it’s such a load off my shoulders.

Let’s see what 2024 brings.