C’est Magnifique

Mange tout Rodney, mange tout….

I’m about to step in the Eurostar for the first time in my life (I know 🤦‍♀️) so am glamming up a Sunday spent travelling for work, and the excitement about getting a train UNDER THE SEA with a quick glass of fizz. Self-funded before anyone complains about corporate fat-cat expense policies!

My French is not great, so eschewing the modern marvels of Google translate or those magical translating headphones, I have brought with me Great Auntie Hilda’s French phrase book from 1962.

It’s an absolute gem, that had me chuckling all the way to St Pancras from Castle Cary (rammed to the rafters with East London influencers on their way home from The Newt discussing their dust allergies and how fasting cures cancer).

Adopt a Lady Bracknell demeanour and lo, here are just some of the things I now know how to say in French!

He is a jolly nice fellow

It is rotten luck

I don’t care twopence

Porter! Here is my luggage

Five o’clock has just struck

I want some upper cylinder lubricant

Do you take petrol cheques?

May you find me an English speaking stenographer?

I cannot find my porter

There is a fog at le Bourget

Steward, have you any cigarettes?

Bring me some barley sugars please

I have two pairs of socks to be darned

Send the page boy

I’ve just had a telegram, I must leave at once!

Where are the tennis courts, I should like to play in the tournament.

Can I hire a bathing costume?

Are you going to the races?

I’m terribly sorry, I don’t know how to dance the tango.

Please set my hair, without rollers.

The water is too hot, you are scalding me!

Have you a piece of string?

Do you keep long playing records?

My watch needs cleaning.

My kids would struggle to comprehend most of these sentences in English, never mind in French. Which made my mind boggle in a rather lovely way at how quickly and beautifully culture, language and the world moves on around us.

There is also a super handy section should I encounter any accidents or medical incidents, so I am all set!

So happy Sunday, sante and Bon Voyage as I head off to be inspired about all things data with my colleagues in Lille 🙌🏻