Walking and Talking with Clare Catchpole

Clare is pretty much tireless when it comes to bringing people together, maybe that comes from her background as a teacher. Regardless, it is a talent and very generous of her to devote time to helping others in their acquisition of a language.

Whether this is a result of her arrival on the Riviera with her partner, musician Stu Ritchie, to teach some French and wanting to expand that knowledge, or a logical progression from being a teacher is anyone’s guess. Clare is a warm and engaging person, so that at once puts people at ease. There is no pressure.

Clare and Stuart are both excellent musicians, Clare is classically trained. They put out an amazing number of music videos as the Broch Inspectors. In the videos they perform some really wonderful Irish music that always makes me smile and puts a spring in the step.

Walk & Talk group with Clare Catchpole in Nice

‘Walk & Talk’ is Clare’s Facebook group. She organises walks in various parts of Nice with a group of people who speak either English or French as their main language, but who wish to improve their knowledge and practice the other language. Did I express that correctly? The idea is simple, take people into a non-classroom environment, then let them mix and mingle to chat in the language of their choice and at the same time find new friends. It’s a win-win scenario in my opinion. It is one that should be in every town along the Riviera.

The next logical extension of the ‘Walk & Talk’ group is a monthly subscription for those who want to put things on a more regular basis. It begins this September. The idea remains the same, to Walk & Talk with 3 outings per month. However, with the monthly subscription Clare will be providing a framework with themes to make the whole experience more immersive and useful to those who really are determined to progress. Clare will find out the levels of the participants with a view to ensuring that they communicate. This is a totally excellent low cost initiative that must appeal to those who like being out and about, want to meet new people and, of course, improve their language skills.

If you join Clare’s Facebook group then this will keep you up to date with the walks and also the possibility of two ‘taster’ walks free of charge to herald the monthly subscription idea!