As a translator I have always found it difficult to render the meaning of the French expression rentrée in a few words. In its most restrictive sense, it refers to the beginning of the new school year after the summer recess, but really it denotes, much more than the New Year itself, a fresh start in the cultural, political and sporting spheres.
So it's back to school for French children this week, accompanied as is so often the case by glorious weather. This only seems to make it harder to bear, for children, parents and grandparents alike! Actually my older grandchildren (aged 7 and 6) seem quite happy to set off back to school in Dubai, wearing their smart uniform and proudly clutching their lunch boxes. My own children were far more doubtful about the whole affair but at least they knew they would be back home at the end of the day! For boarders like me it was a different kettle of fish.
Memory can play strange tricks but I don't think I'm very wide of the mark when I say that for many years on my first night at school I ALWAYS dreamt I was back at home. And on my first night back at home for the holidays I ALWAYS dreamt I was at school.
I wonder if that squares with anyone else's experience?
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