REDHILL TOUR TO FRANCE ~ AUGUST 2006
31 July 2006 On y va!
With great excitement, everyone gathered at Johannesburg International, where fond farewells were said to family and friends. I have just spoken to Mme Davis who confirmed that all were happily browsing through the tax-free boutiques and that her only problem/dilemma was trying to decide which perfume to purchase! At 19h30 they will board flight AF 995 bound for Paris, Charles de Gaulle and hopefully they will all practise speaking French to the crew. This website diary is only as good as the news I receive from parents and chaperones so, if you have any interesting snippets to share, I would love to hear from you. Bon voyage' et 'bon sejour' to the group – an exciting and wonderfully enriching tour awaits them!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
1 August 2006 Safe arrival!
08h30 - Bonjour! I will update the site later today, but just to let you know that they have arrived safely in Paris, have met their Casterbridge Tour Escort and are on their way to the hotel. Sadly it is raining at the moment, but I intend to sort that out---! 23h00 I have just spoken to Wendy Davis, who was looking forward to a good night's sleep in her comfortable bed after a very full day. This morning they made their way to the Champs Elysees, where everyone had free time soak up the ambience of this magnificent boulevard and wander around the exclusive stores. They then made their way to Montmartre, where they marvelled at the white basilica of Sacre Coeur. Unfortunately, it was raining so hard that they decided not to linger at the Place du Tertre, but they did vow to return before they left Paris. In the early evening, they discovered a lovely restaurant near their hotel, where they dined on pizzas – tres francais, n'est-ce pas?! Another exciting and eventful day awaits them tomorrow, so they need to recharge their batteries. Bonne nuit a tout le monde!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
2 August 2006 A wonderful day in Paris!
Everyone had a really good sleep and woke up refreshed and ready for another exciting day in Paris. It has not taken them long to get used to the metro and that has been an education in itself. Their first visit today was to the Louvre, which apparently they absolutely loved. After a leisurely picnic in the Tuileries gardens, they embarked on some 'serious' shopping along the Rue de Rivoli and in Galeries Lafayette! They then continued on to the Marais district, where they visited the Georges Pompidou Centre. They decided to eat dinner in this 'quartier' and whilst some chose to eat in really posh restaurants, others chose to source cheaper options and pocket the difference! In high spirits, they returned to their hotel at 10.15pm, claiming that it had been one of the best days of their lives! Mme Davis reports that the children are really trying to use their French and that they are responsible, polite and most grateful for this wonderful opportunity.
Written by: Jenny Peddle
3 August 2006 A happy band of travellers!
I have this morning received a lengthy fax from the teachers and it seems like your children are having the most wonderful time. They all loved Disneyland Paris, many thinking that it has been the best experience of their lives! Their 'education' was 'rounded off' with an hour spent in the 'red light district' – fully supervised of course! These snippets, written by your children, lay testimony to the 'awesome' time they are having: "Wow, we are having the best time here! France is ssss0000 amazing and Paris is so beautiful! It's so cool travelling and exploring this wonderful city with friends and it gives one such a different perspective. The tour is absolutely fantastic and we are thoroughly enjoying everything, especially shopping! We have had so many wonderful experiences and we are going to have so many fabulous memories. The French people are charming, the language is beautiful, the sites are mind blowing and the food is to die for! Oh my word – please can I live here? C'est super-cool!"
Written by: Jenny Peddle
4 August 2006 Another wonderful day in Paris
"Oh my goodness – I think Redhill owes us a week at a health farm! We are so exhausted and so are the kids, but what a wonderful day we've had!" (The teachers are obviously doing a great job!) Everyone absolutely loved the Musee d'Orsay and couldn't believe that they were seeing 'the real thing'! After shopping in a local supermarket, for 'jambon, fromage, baguette et salade', they all enjoyed a picnic lunch in the Tuileries Gardens - 'the best lunch ever and so cheap!" The weather was superb and the cruise on the Bateau Mouche was great. They all enjoyed the Eiffel Tower and many managed to reach level 3 before it was closed due to strong winds. Their last evening in Paris was spent in the Latin Quarter and everyone had an unforgettable time. The teachers would like to reiterate what a wonderful group this has been- 'they have all acted so responsibly, gelled so well and been so appreciative'. Whilst they will be sad to leave this 'amazing' city tomorrow, they are all really looking forward to their visit to Versailles and then onward to Rouen.
Written by: Jenny Peddle
5 August 2006 Onward to Rouen
This morning everyone boarded the luxury coach and the second leg of the tour commenced. Their first stop was Versailles, where they marvelled at the magnificent palace and gardens. They had a superb specialist guide and all thoroughly enjoyed this visit. Onward then to Rouen and suddenly everyone in the coach fell silent – the jam packed itinerary in Paris had taken its toll and fatigue finally won the day! A few hours later, with batteries recharged, they booked into their hotel and then embarked on an orientation tour of this quaint town, with it half-timbered houses and twisting streets. They all ate dinner as a group in a local restaurant before retiring for a good night's sleep.
Written by: Jenny Peddle
6 August 2006 Rouen to St Malo
I have not received any news from the teachers today, so presume all is going according to plan. They were to visit the Omaha Military Cemeter y en route to St Malo and I have no doubt that they will love this seaside resort. Whether anyone will brave the cold Atlantic waters, I've yet to hear! Please note that I will be flying over to France tonight and will from tomorrow be on a new cell no – 09 33 6 18 55 78 25. I will be checking my emails daily and the website entries will continue. It is my intention to meet with the group in Cannes on Thursday night and then I will accompany them back to SA with Mrs Karin Theron, departing Paris on Sunday 13 August. If you have any emergencies within the next 24 hours, please contact my husband, Clive on 082 454 9746. A demain!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
7 August 2006 Le Mont St Michel was wonderful
I have just arrived in Antibes and write this entry at 7.00pm with the sun still high in the sky and people still busy shopping and basking in the glorious sunshine! I have just chatted to the teachers and they said that everyone loved the visit to Le Mont St Michel. They were actually on the coach when we spoke and all were looking forward to unpacking for two nights in Tours! Mme Davis will be sending me a fax with extra snippets of information and I will load this as soon as I receive them. All sound to be in very high spirits!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
8 August 2006 Update from the teachers
I have just received a fax from Mme Davis and she recaps on the past few days: " Everyone was very sad to say goodbye to Paris, but were looking forward to the slower pace of the country! They all found Rouen charming and Arthi said that she felt as if she were walking on a Hollywood set! The highlight for all was the 'son et lumiere' show at 10.30pm, where Monet's paintings (which they had seen at the Musee d' Orsay) were projected onto the facade of the cathedral. Omaha Cemetery - wow, the children were very moved by this. Joe spoke to everyone on the coach prior to arrival here and he did the Redhill History department proud! He spoke off the cuff and one would have thought that he were a visiting university prof! When we arrived at St Malo, we all enjoyed a picnic on the beach and everyone loved this charming and vibey town. It did not take them long to find the main shopping area and ' Les Soldes'! I swear we have some professional shoppers amongst us and there seems to be some serious rivalry between 'La Culture' and 'La Mode'! We all loved Le Mont St Michel and found it so fascinating. Everyone slept for the first half of the journey to Tours and then found renewed energy! Today we visited three of the most beautiful chateaux in the Loire region - Chambord, Chenonceau and Villandry, with the latter being my personal favourite. The young guide was particularly charming at Chambord and she gave lots of interesting anecdotes. What a lovely day we' ve had and everyone is so very happy". As a parent, you can't ask for better news!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
9 August 2006 TGV to Cannes
At midday they boarded the TGV and they were able to sit back for the next 5 hours en route to the Cote d' Azur. It was a relaxing journey and a time to recharge their depleted batteries. They were really excited at the thought of the sea and the sunshine (which I managed to organize for them!) and thoughts of rubbing shoulders with the 'rich and famous' on the Riviera was also a great attraction! With a fairly late arrival, they decided to explore the vicinity of their hotel and save their energy and euros for some 'serious' shopping tomorrow!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
10 August 2006 Sun, sea and shopping in Cannes!
Everyone woke up to the most glorious morning, with not a cloud in sky. They were in awe of the beautiful colours and scents of Provence and couldn't wait to make their way to the beach and the main shopping area in Cannes. I have just met with the group and must report that everyone was laden with designer packets!The teachers disbursed the dinner money and after making their way up to the viewpoint at Le Suquet, all the children went to source the best deals in the local restaurants! The teachers would like to reiterate what a wonderful group this has been and how privileged they feel to have been their chaperones. They have all had so much fun and everyone has been so polite, respectful and responsible. Hats off to Redhill!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
11 August 2006 Excursion to the principality of Monaco
Everyone was very excited about the excursion to Monaco today and they boarded the coach outside their hotel at 9.00am. A lady driver came as a surprise, but what a superb 'conductrice' she proved to be! She was friendly, interactive, experienced and a veritable font of information, sharing endless anecdotes and giving valuable tips on which streets to visit and which to avoid. Unfortunately they experienced real weekend/holiday traffic, but with the weather and the views being so magnificent, all spirits remained high. Upon arrival in Monaco, they made their way up to the Grimaldi stronghold, marveling at the Palace and the Cathedral, where Prince Rainier and Princess Grace have been laid to rest. The views of the blue sea, white yachts, winding streets and picturesque villas never fail to impress and everyone was in awe of this tiny, spotlessly clean principality. On the return journey they stopped for a short while to explore the 'vieille ville' of Nice, before returning to Cannes, where they ate dinner in a local restaurant. Quelle journee magnifique!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
12 August 2006 Final full day in France
Today was their last full day in France and everyone was very excited about the excursion to the Fragonard perfumery in Grasse and St Paul de Vence. The coach arrived early and once again the 'conductrice' proved invaluable - her knowledge, charm and sense of humour were most appreciated. For the 'last supper', the teachers have negotiated an excellent deal at local restaurant and they have a few surprises up their sleeves - I wish I could be a fly on the wall this evening! I feel sure that everyone will have mixed feelings tonight - excited to be returning home and tell all, but sad to say farewell to the many friends with whom special bonds have been formed. Flights have been confirmed for tomorrow and the group is scheduled to depart from Nice at 13h15 and from Paris on AF 992 at 19h40. I will have the pleasure of accompanying the group home with Mme Karin Theron and we will arrive at Johannesburg International at 06h20 on Monday 14 August. Although very early, I am sure I don't have to persuade anyone to be there! You have afforded your children the most wonderful opportunity and I thank you for the privilege of working with Redhill. A special word of gratitude must go to Wendy Davis and Karin Theron, who have been superb chaperones. They went far beyond the call of duty to ensure that your children were safe, happy and academically enriched. They have been a pleasure to work with and their dedication, energy and enthusiasm have been inspirational. Merci beaucoup, bon retour et a la prochaine!
Written by: Jenny Peddle