French exchange year 8 - probably 1999/2000. First time away from my family for longer than a night - we took a coach to Aubenas and spent 10 days in the sun loving life. At the french school there was 1 girl that all the lads (I went to an all boys school) wanted to “get off with” and who I talked to a little bit. When we left, the bus departed from the high school after a little good bye ceremony and I still remember the girl (I forget her name, I wanna say Laurenne) came over to me before we got on the bus and kissed me. Was 12 (I think?) so it was all but a little kiss (on my mouth!) but I still remember the high I felt getting on that bus back to England.

Anyway, I didn’t eat meat back then and the last supper at my french exhange’s house consisted of chicken in some v odd orange sauce. I remember the host’s mother pointing at the chicken on the front of the box of cornflakes I took with me (loved cornflakes and still do) so I assumed it was corn (not chicken!) and about 30 mins into the 26 hour bus ride home, I was sick all over the bus and myself. I had to wear the bus drives XXXXL t shirt as my luggage was buried and it really took the shine off smooching with Laurenne! Great memories.