Great.. .it's September and the kids are back in school.

September , that month of transition between the heat and dryness of summer and the cooler, wetter days to come, has much to commend it. After all the kids are back in school and yet there is still much to enjoy. We decided to spend a couple of days on our boat, and as we left port for a petite 'balade en mer' we breathed a sigh of relief. Wheras in August one had to dodge the many comings and goings of motor boats and noisy jet skis, the sea scape was now relatively empty save for a few yachts on the horizon and a large tourist boat offering 'vision sous marine' to the remaining mainly elderly tourists.

We briefly headed south towards the Pyrenees which appeared in a haze before us, and then turned back towards the tiny fortified island of Brescou which lies just beyond our port of Cap d'Agde. "Poor kids," I commented " having to be in school on a lovely day like this." I used to dread September as a teacher and couldn't help but feel some sympathy. "It's where they should be," commented B. ironicallly "with their noses to the grindstone."

B

But then we saw them. Those flotillas of tiny little trainer yachts that had dominated the shoreline throughout the summer. We hadn't expected to see them again after 'la rentréé' But there they were, hugging the coast. We re-entered the harbour walls and decided to moor close by for lunch at our favourite port side café. As we tied up we watched as the children returned to port too, all strung together in a line behind their leaders. They made a beautiful sight with their single sails, green, red and white catching the wind as the tiny flotillas curved around towards their base. But best of all was the sound of children's voices on the air, filled with chatter and excitement.What better place to learn, be it academic, social or practical skills than in a sailing boat on the open sea.

I reflected how rumour had it when I was a teacher, that educational leaders in France knew what every child throughout the country would be learning at any given time. What poppycock. Given the obsession with health and safety regulations in the U.K. there are far fewer educational trips taken nowadays, while strings of happy motivated children are a common sight when out and about in France. I know for sure what leads to better educated and better motivated pupils.