10 Dec 2024
We ask a different figure from the local community to choose 10 questions to answer from a list of 50. This week: Aline Bavister, who presents Mix 92.6FM’s weekly French language show ‘Bouche a Oreille’ every Sunday at 7pm with Elise Lines and has lived in St Albans since 2000.
Where do you walk when you want to think?
One of the many things I love about living in St Albans is easy access to wonderful open spaces. A long solo walk in Heartwood Forest or a shorter one closer to home in Clarence Park are both perfect to do this. For a run to really clear my head, the Alban Way is a firm favourite of mine.
Where do you most like to have a picnic in St Albans?
Clarence or Verulamium Parks are my top picnic spots. Being able to buy ice creams for dessert is always a bonus.
What’s the first thing you do after you’ve woken up in the morning?
I make myself a black coffee, no sugar. Caffeine gets a lot of bad press, but it is the number one item of my morning routine.
Were you well behaved at school?
Most of my reports mentioned that I liked to chat to my friends A LOT when I should have been listening to the teachers. I guess it’s no surprise that I ended up doing a radio show.
Dogs or cats?
I don’t have either but for me it is dogs over cats 100% of the time. They are so caring and faithful and would stay with you through thick and thin, they are true lifelong companions. Cats on the other hand…
Do you speak any foreign languages?
My mother tongue is French, and I also learnt Spanish at school. Although I can still read and understand it, I haven’t used it at all since so speaking is a struggle. The great thing with romance languages is that they are so similar that it is relatively easy for me to understand Portuguese and Italian as well, even if I can’t speak them. I love languages and feel incredibly privileged to be able to host a whole hour of radio show, all in French, every Sunday for Francophones and Francophiles.
What’s your favourite place to have breakfast in St Albans?
There are many great places for brunch, my two favourites are Street Café and Hatch.
When have you been most scared?
In a very serious car accident that I was very lucky to survive. It taught me to try to appreciate every day I am alive.
What’s your favourite hidden gem in the district?
I couldn’t possibly say or else it would no longer be hidden!
Odyssey or Netflix?
For me it is a bit of both! I go to The Odyssey at least once a month, usually to watch a French or foreign language film and feel incredibly fortunate to be able to do so in St Albans in such a beautiful cinema. I choose to sit downstairs which has a unique ‘home from home’ feel and occasionally treat myself to a cheese board with a glass of wine. I watch the odd series of Netflix, am especially partial to ScandiNoir. Having to read the subtitles in order to follow the plot is a good way to ensure that I can’t multitask!
