The setting for Kathryn and me to have a little snack after classes had finished last week with Andree, the teacher responsible for setting up our programme and organising the homestays, etc. She is wonderful.

Emily and Kathryn at the Maritime Museum standing on the area of the Pacific after whom they were named - Wallis and Futuna Islands - they were obviously born to speak French.

Ryan trying to escape the camera - he's spent a lot of time in the water at the beach where we have migrated many afternoons. Used plenty of sunscreen, so he has not ended up being burnt, as some have.

Kathryn and I spent part of Sunday afternoon with the family where Ashleigh is staying, and were jealous of her lifestyle - out of her bedroom into the pool is what she can do each day. We enjoyed afternoon tea in their garden, with tarts made by the mother and Hortense - delicious!

Tonight we have just come home from dinner at the family where Lucy is staying, and it was a delightful evening - these children are so lucky to have had this experience.

Meanwhile, we have had to ask for towels the last three days because they have forgotten to leave us some, and most days, if we don't time it right, we wait a few minutes for the water to come back on in the shower. At least internet is back on. However, the hotel really is ok - it's just so handy to where the school is, it's right over the road from the beach, there's a busstop at the front door and lots of shops and restaurants handy.

One thing we didn't factor into the risk management was the French tradition of a strike - Lucy was supposed to come back tomorrow for a basketball tournament, but the flight was cancelled, as we found out by chance, but hopefully she will get away on Wednesday!

We are having lunch tomorrow in the school canteen and then all the children, including the hosts, are going by bus to the Tjibaou Cultural Centre, which should be quite an experience. And that's it then for school here. The kids have started to really bond well, and it will be hard to leave.

A la prochaine fois donc - till next time then - bonne nuit.