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Hello and welcome back to your English Five a Day on the English Like a Native podcast. This is your official daily dunk into the English language so that with ease you can expand your vocabulary, improve your listening skills and comprehension skills, and generally feel more confident with the English language. How do we do that? Easy. Through story. My name is Anna, and today we begin week eleven of our story following Gabriel as he journeys across the UK. After his time in Scotland and Bristol, Gabriel now finds himself with a little freedom. No fixed plan, no schedule, just time to explore. And sometimes that's when the most interesting experiences happen. As always, supporting materials for season three are available at www.joineland.com forward slash plus. But let's begin today's episode, as we always do, with a snapshot of what's to come. Arriving in a small Somerset village, Gabriel is struck by the picturesque, idyllic setting, with ivy covered cottages and a quaint pub. Inside a cozy cafe, he settles in to reflect on his journey. But an unexpected notification suddenly interrupts his peaceful moment. Let's now break down today's vocabulary. Starting with the adjective picturesque picturesque P I C T U R E S Q E picturesque. If something is described as picturesque, then it's visually attractive, like a painting. For example, the village looked so picturesque it didn't feel real. Next we have the adjective idyllic idyllic. We spell this I D Y L I C idyllic. This means something extremely peaceful, happy and perfect. It is ideal, it is idyllic. For example, they found an idyllic spot by the river. Next we have the lovely adjective quaint quaint Q U A I N T quaint. If something is described as quaint then it's attractively old fashioned or charming. For example, the quaint pub had flowers hanging outside. Next Ivy covered Ivy covered. Ivy Y hyphen C O V E R E D. If something is ivy covered, then it's covered in climbing green ivy plants. Ivy grows very fast and it can actually be quite destructive if you're not careful, but it does look nice. Here's an example. The ivy covered walls gave the house a timeless feel. Last we have cozy cozy C O S Y. Notice that we voice the S so it makes a zz sound. Cozy cozy. If something is described as cozy, then it's comfortable, warm and welcoming. For example, the cafe felt cozy and inviting. Were any of those adjectives new to you? Well, if they were or weren't, either way, please listen out for them once again in today's story. Sophie left for Lyon early in the morning. A hug at Temple Meads, a promise to message, then back to lectures, deadlines, and real life. Gabriel suddenly has two free weeks in the UK before his own return, and he still has no fixed plan. That's how he finds himself stepping off a small local train into the Somerset village of Freshford. It looks unreal. Ivy covered stone cottages line the narrow street, the green leaves climbing up the walls. Gabriel can't believe how picturesque it looks, as if it were something staged for a film. After a while he goes up to a passer by. He walks past the bakery, the post office, and a quaint pub with hanging flower baskets. Then he comes across the galleries. The outdoor seating seems full, so he goes inside. It's a cozy place, friendly and community oriented. Gabriel goes to the counter to order Hello again, Monsieur.

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Quiche Lorraine for you It's the passer by You didn't tell me where the cafe was.

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Gabriel laughs. You just had to follow your nose, the server replies. Gabriel takes a seat and his quiche is served. It's well seasoned, the short crust pastry is perfect, and most importantly, there's no cheese. Sophie would approve, he thinks. She's on her way back to her culinary studies in Lyon. But the question for Gabriel is what will he do when he gets back home? Just then his mobile buzzes. His roaming data should be off though. Ah, maybe I've automatically been connected to the cafe Wi-Fi. He draws his password on the screen and stops. It's a calendar notification. Oh no! How could I have forgotten? All right, let's pause our story there and bring today's vocabulary back into focus. I will recap each one of our adjectives. I'll say each one twice, leaving a little space for you to repeat out loud after me, and then I'll remind you of the definition. Here goes. Picturesque. Picturesque. This is something visually attractive, like a painting. Next, repeat after me, idyllic. Idyllic. This is something extremely peaceful, happy, and perfect. Next we have quaint. Quaint. This is something attractively old-fashioned or charming. Next we have ivy covered. Ivy covered. This describes something that is covered in climbing green ivy plants. Next we have cozy. Cozy. This describes something that's comfortable, warm, and welcoming. Excellent! These are beautiful descriptive words, perfect for talking about places, especially when you want to create a strong visual image. So, Gabriel has found himself in a peaceful village, but his calm moment has just been interrupted. Tomorrow, Gabriel rushes to join an important online meeting, and along the way, he finds himself navigating some very British politeness and social etiquette. That's all from me for today. If you are enjoying the podcast, then please just take one second to leave a like, a rating, or review. Those five star ratings really make a difference, so thanks in advance. I look forward to tickling your eardrums again tomorrow. Until then, take care and goodbye.