ROEDEAN TOUR TO FRANCE ~ APRIL 2005
9 April 2005 D Day!
With great excitement, everyone gathered at Johannesburg International at 3.30pm and the check-in procedure ran extremely smoothly. After passing through passport control, everyone regrouped and the chaperones discussed the code of conduct, as well as various issues pertaining to the "home stay". With an hour left before boarding, the girls enjoyed browsing through the tax free boutiques, whilst the chaperones seized the opportunity to sit down and relax for a while! There was great excitement boarding the plane, especially for Gaby, who had never flown before! Travelling on Air France and being immersed in the French language and culture from the outset, was a wonderful advantage. Dinner was served at 10.00pm and then the girls did their best to get some sleep!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
10 April 2005 La Cote d'Azur
I was seated near the toilets, so had the joy of greeting all the "sleep walkers" in the morning! We landed a little ahead of schedule and then the Roedean group caught the connecting flight to Nice, whilst the St Andrew's and St John's group remained in Paris. The approach to Nice was a sight to behold and the group was met by Claudio and Florence from the CIA. The host families were also there and warmly welcomed your daughters into their homes for the next two weeks. It is quite a daunting task to stay alone with strangers for two weeks, let alone people who don't even speak your own language, so, should your daughters feel a little insecure in the beginning, please understand that it is natural and rest assured that all the families have been carefully screened. Being thrown in at the deep end will, without doubt, reap rewards!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
11 April 2005 Looking for updates!
Bonjour! Unfortunately I cannot relate anything because I have not received any direct communication from the group. I do know from the school management at CIA that all is fine and that the group is happy, but that's all! If you have any interesting snippets to share, please could I ask you to forward them to me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. --- merci beaucoup!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
14 April 2005 Having a wonderful time!
Everything is going ver y well so far. The group has been to Nice, which the girls loved, and many are planning to go back on Saturday, as there wasn't really enough time to see everything. Some of the girls went to the marché provençal this morning and they loved it. It's the kind of place that makes one want to live in France! Yesterday they went to St Paul de Vence and some of the girls were invited to tea by an old lady who lives in a nearby village, She is very charming and has visited S.A. on several occasions. Their teacher at CIA, Jean-Jacques, has kindly said that he would try to organise a way to get them there. He, too, is utterly charming, as are all the staff here. The animatrice, Florence, is also really helpful. There is a barbeque at the school this evening and many of the girls are going. Off to Cannes tomorrow - a little shopping on 'la Croisette, darling!'
Written by: Jenny Peddle
18 April 2005 Seasoned travellers!
I am now at the Centre International d'Antibes with the St Andrew's/St John's group, so have been able to chat to your children and their teachers. They have all thoroughly enjoyed the experience and have certainly had a very full itinerary! They all loved the scheduled outings to Cannes and Nice and many have returned there on their own to do more shopping, go to the beach or visit the Matisse and Chagall museums. It never ceases to amaze me how quickly the young orientate themselves and they make their way round on buses and trains like seasoned travellers. The boat trip to Les Iles de Lerins was also a wonderful experience. It is a protected reserve of unspoilt beaches and interesting walks and the view of Juan les Pins and the Cote d'Azur is indescribably beautiful. Antibes feels like home to them now and they all enjoy exploring the 'vieille ville' where they can vouch for the high standard of the patisseries, boulangeries and confisseries!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
20 April 2005 Outing to Monaco
After school today, everyone met at the station and boarded a train to Monaco. I was pleased to be able to accompany the group and thoroughly enjoyed the outing in their company. We puffed and panted our way up to the palace, wishing that we were VIP's, who could arrive in style! It was a very moving experience to see the vast array of flowers which had been placed outside the palace, in memory of Prince Rainier. He was obviously a much loved friend to all the Monegasques. We then went into the beautiful cathedral and joined a long line of tourists as we filed past where he and Princess Grace have been laid to rest. Thereafter, we walked through the palace gardens before spending some time shopping for souvenirs! It was a wonderful outing and the Roedean girls certainly dominated the homeward bound train!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
22 April 2005 Farewell to CIA
Their last day of school today and the girls will be receiving their certificates. I work at the school every morning and have enjoyed hearing the animated chatter and infectious laughter of the multinational group of students. Many are sad to leave this idyllic part of the world tomorrow and others are looking forward to what lies ahead in Lyon, Blois and Paris. Their host families will take the girls to the meeting point at Port Vauban, where they will board their luxury coach bound for the north. I will be there to ensure that all goes well and then I return to South Africa with the St Andrew's and St John's group. I will, therefore, only be able to update this site again on Monday, so until then, bon weekend!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
28 April 2005 The final leg
I received an excited message from Mme Rowlands, saying that everyone has thoroughly enjoyed their journey through France. The girls were all in awe of the beautiful Chateaux region and they especially loved Vaux le Vicomte. Paris inevitably cast its magical spell on them and it has been difficult to find consensus on the favourite outing. Certainly ascending the Eiffel Tower, cruising on the Seine and wondering through the Louvre were all highlights, but the great 'wow factor' possibly belonged to the tour of the Opera Garnier. Tomorrow is their last day in la Belle France and you can rest assured that it will be devoted to some 'serious' shopping! Their return flight is confirmed and they are scheduled to depart from Roissy Charles de Gaulle on AF990 at 23h15 and arrive in Johannesburg at 9.40am on Saturday morning. I'm sure you are all ver y excited to welcome your daughters home and to hear all their excited tales of their enriching tour to France. So, enjoy and a la prochaine ---!
Written by: Jenny Peddle