Chris Slade describes the son et lumiere presentation at the abbey of Bon Repos called "Le Pays de Conomor" in Brittany, which takes place during the first two weeks of August.
Nicola Harrington
Monica called this morning:
“Nicole, could you do me a favour? Gwendal has a temperature and severe earache, I have an appointment with the doctor at 8.45. Could you let Marie (his teacher) know?”
“Of course, I call round later to see how he is.”
This afternoon, I called in to see Monica (she is the only French woman I know who is truly passionate about Earl Grey tea… but that is another story!!). Gwendal has antibiotics and has to be off school for 2 more days.
“But you have to work tomorrow” I say.”Gwendal can stay with me, I’m desk bound tomorrow”, I offer.
“Thanks, but I have a certificate from the doctor. Yann will take the day off to look after Gwendal”.
I look puzzled.
Every mother and father has the right to take ten days off work, paid, to look after a sick child as long as they have a certificate from the doctor.
“Wow, that’s brilliant”.
“C’est normal”.
That system certainly didn’t exist when I worked in the UK… but maybe things have changed…