CAMPUS HORTICOLE ~ AUGUST 2007
11 August 2007 D Day!
The day everyone has been looking forward to has actually dawned! We all met at 4.15pm at the designated area and the check in procedure ran smoothly. The girls are so very excited and even the parents seemed calm! Lara and I look forward to spending the next t weeks with your children and please rest assured that they are in very good hands and that all arrangements are firmly in place. Once in France, I may be contacted on my regular email or on my French cell number which is 00 33 6 34 57 80 35. In an emergency, please phone my husband Clive on 082 454 9746.
Written by: Jenny Peddle
12 August 2007 Safe and sound in Antibes!
We all arrived safely in Antibes at 1.00pm and although the journey was long, it was comfortable and all the girls relaxed, even if they didn't manage to get much sleep! Flora and I had some fun trying to source her luggage and eventually we had some success and hopefully it will be delivered directly to her tonight. Once on the Campus, the girls completed the necessary forms and after a picnic lunch, I organized a coach transfer to the beach, to give everyone a taste of this idyllic part of the world. After an hour of relaxing and people-watching, we wandered into the town, where I orientated them with regard to sim cards, ' la vieille ville' and good bargains! The transfer back to the campus departed at 6.00pm and all were really looking forward to a good shower and a delicious dinner. A fun games evening has been organized for tonight as an ice-breaker, but I would wager that most will be in bed by 10.00pm!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
13 August 2007 A wonderful time!
Had I put money on last night's wager of bed by 10.00pm, I would have lost, since they had such a lovely time socializing with new found friends! After breakfast this morning, everyone gathered in the theatre where the animateurs explained the rules + code of conduct on campus. Thereafter, all the new students made their way into Antibes, where they were given a structured and informative orientation of this charming and tranquil town. They enjoyed the free time to explore with their friends and at midday they met at the Place de Gaulle to board their bus back to campus for lunch. No one seemed excessively nervous with regard to the oral and written test scheduled for 2.00pm, which was quite refreshing for me! They will check on the notice-board tonight to see which class they will be in and then tomorrow morning the lessons will commence. They're all actually looking forward to this, which is remarkable!They spent the afternoon relaxing and playing some non-energetic campus sports, conserving their energy for the soiree tonight which is 'une soiree casino'! The animateurs are such a delight, constantly interacting with the students and always bubbling with enthusiasm. Everyone is having a great time!
14 August 2007 Excursion to Cannes
All went to class very enthusiastically this morning and I received positive feedback at lunchtime. Working during their holidays and enjoying it – amazing! We all made our way to the station for our afternoon excursion to Cannes and all commented on what a different experience this was. Upon arrival in Cannes, Nadia, our animatrice, led us through the narrow, winding, shop-lined streets of the 'vieille ville' to the ancient neighbourhood of Le Suquet, from where there is a magnificent view of the Esterel Mountains. Thereafter, we all gathered in front of the Palais des Festivals, renowned for hosting the famous Cannes Film festival, and after several photos on the stairs, they were given some 'temps libre'. The girls certainly maximized on this time and when we met at our designated meeting place two hours later, all were clutching at least 4 packets each! With great excitement everyone displayed their purchases, which ranged from shirts – sunglasses – costumes – lingerie – shoes – shoes – shoes! Fully laden, we made our way back to the train station where we headed back to Campus. After dinner the girls just enjoyed a relaxing evening, which was sensible.
Written by: Jenny Peddle
15 August 2007 A relaxing 'jour ferié'
Today was a public holiday in France and so there were no lessons this morning. With breakfast being served later, everybody took the opportunity to sleep in a little later and they had a really relaxing morning. We then took a packed lunch and went into Antibes, where some opted to stay on the beach with me, whilst others chose to go into Antibes with Lara. The weather is lovely at the moment and it felt just like a Sunday today. At 6.00pm we returned to the campus to find that the restaurant had prepared a wonderful feast for this special day. There was SO much variety and the food was so beautifully and professionally displayed that we felt like royalty! A fun evening has been organized for tonight and I think that bed will be very welcome when it arrives.
Written by: Jenny Peddle
16 August 2007 Sailing on the Med!
Everyone enjoyed their lessons this morning and all were really looking forward to the afternoon adventure of sailing on the Med! This excursion is run by a professional nautical school and upon arrival all were asked to don red life jackets. Thereafter , the girls were divided into groups of three and taken onto catamarans with a 'monitor'. I had the privilege of traveling in the red rubber dinghy with the group supervisor, which was great fun as it bounced at speed over the waves! The afternoon wind was perfect and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the experience, even if some did have a few hair-raising moments! We then had time to relax at the beach until our transfer back to campus at 5.30pm. In the evening there was a talent show, which the girls really enjoyed. They have promised to do something for next week' s show!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
17 August 2007 Juan les Pins by night!
The girls had a relaxing day today and were greatly excited about their planned outing to Juan les Pins in the evening. They all enjoyed dressing up and once they had been given a severe pep talk about the do's and dont's of the outing, we boarded the coach and arrived in Juan les Pins at 9.15pm. As always, there was a wonderful vibe as tourists strolled up and down the stall-lined and brighlty illuminated beachfront. The hour and a half passed quickly and everyone gathered at the meeting place on time. The bus was abuzz with stories of what they'd seen, heard and bought! They all had a lovely evening and were in bed by 11.30pm.
Written by: Jenny Peddle
18 August 2007 Excursion to Nice
We all met at the station at 10.10am today and accompanied by our animateur, Karim, we travelled to Nice. Upon arrival the girls were given a quick orientation briefing and then we set off down the main boulevard towards the beach. En route the girls spied shops like Zara, H&M, Virgin, Nice Etoile, Galeries Lafayette, Sephora etc and all made a mental note that they would return during their 'temps libre' (free time)! After photos at La Place Massena, we walked to the beach which was indescribably beautiful and certainly deserving of the name La Cote d'Azur! No one wanted to swim or even sunbathe on the pebble beaches, so we made out way to the marche provencal, where all the locals were selling fruit,fish,flowers,meat,condiments and all sorts of other things. There was such a lovely atmosphere and something the girls will always rememeber. They were allowed some free time to wander around at leisure and all met laden with parcels at 3.00pm. They really enjoyed the excursion but are quite exhausted now, so will definitely not need much rocking tonight!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
19 August 2007 AquaSplash!
What a wonderful relaxing day everyone had at AquaSplash! Armed with their packet lunches, the girls left the campus on the 9.00am coach and the first thing they noticed upon arrival was how orderly and spotlessly clean the park was. There were numerous officials wearing red shirts bearing the word 'surveillant' and not one ride or water feature was unsupervised. Everyone quickly laid claim to a lounger and found a large shady spot. Some braved the water rides, which ranged from mild to hectic! Everyone really enjoyed the day!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
20 August 2007 Parfumerie et Confiserie
I have another group of 35 students from Grahamstown staying in Antibes at the moment and our group joined them on their excursion to Fragonard et Florian today. There was great excitement about this outing and all had drawn extra funds for the day!We arrived in Grasse just after 2.00pm and the large group was divided into two so that all could hear the guide. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the tour of the 'parfumerie' and judging by the packets and the scent in the bus thereafter, many purchases had been made! At 3.30pm the coach departed for the Gorges du Loup and the scenery en route was magnificent. The Florian confisserie is world renowned and they make sweets, choclates & jams on site - the free tastings were such a hit! A happy band of travelleres returned to the Camus at 6.30pm and after dinner everyone took part in the evening activities which the animateurs had organized.
Written by: Jenny Peddle
21 August 2007 A relaxing day!
The girls were due to visit Marineland today, but all were so exhausted that they opted to stay on campus and relax. They also took the opportunity to rehearse for their performance for the talent show on Thursday -- it looks great!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
22 August 2007 Shopping in Antibes
After lunch today, some of the girls opted to stay on Campus and enjoy the organized sporting activities, whilst others went by coach with Lara to Antibes. They find the town so fascinating and there are always new little streets and shops to explore! In the evening they had their second outing to Juan les Pins, which they really enjoyed.
Written by: Jenny Peddle
23 August 2007 Sailing again!
The girls were given the option of an outing to the medieval town of St Paul de Vence or sailing on the Med again. The decision was unanimous as they all voted for the beach! The weather continues to be glorious and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon. In the evening there was the talent show and all the hours of practice certainly paid dividends- our girls were a huge success!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
24 August 2007 Excursion to Monaco
Everyone was proud to receive their certificate from the school today, which indicated their level of achievement and a detailed comment from the teacher. After lunch, we travelled by coach to the Principality of Monaco and this excursion was possibly the highlight of the tour. With not a cloud in the sky and the sun shining brightly on the azur waters, the weather was perfect and everyone was astounded by the breathtaking/picture postcard views of beaches, coves and mountains descending dramatically into the sea. We visited the famous palace situated on 'le rocher' where we all took photos and then we visite d the Cathedral, where Prince Rainier and Princess Grace are buried. They found the views from the top incredible, with picturesque villas, white yachts, blue seas, purple mountains – 'just awesome'! Finally, everyone explored the tiny cobbled streets and did some souvenir shopping. It was a wonderful excursion!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
25 August 2007 Homeward bound!
It's hard to believe that two weeks have passed so quickly and everyone has had a wonderful time at Campus Horticole. The girls have gelled so well and all were so sad to say goodbye to the many new friends they have made from all over the world. They have all behaved so well and I have been very proud of everyone in the group. Lara Buxbaum was a wonderful chaperone and my sincere thanks to her for her dedication. As you know, I will not be accompanying the group on the return journey to South Africa and I said a very tearful goodbye to all at the campus at midday. I will see the St Andrew's girls when next in Johannesburg and I would love to keep in touch with Thato and Flora too. The group departs Paris on AF990 tonight at 23h15 and I am sure there is no need to remind you that the plane is due to arrive at OR Tambo at 09h40 tomorrow, Sunday
26 August. It has been a privilege to be associated with you all and I wish everyone a happy home-coming.
Written by: Jenny Peddle