INDEPENDENT TOUR TO FRANCE ~ APRIL 2007
9 April 2007 D Day!
Everyone gathered at the airport at 4.45pm and there were no problems booking in -- it certainly pays to know the Air France flight controller! I will only be able to update this diary tomorrow night, so please rest assured that your children are in good and capable hands - no news is good news! Until tomorrow---
Written by: Jenny Peddle
10 April 2007 Paris in the springtime!
Bonjour from a sunny and beautiful Paris! We all arrived safe and sound after a very comfortable journey on the new Air France plane. We were able to book into our hotel early - most unusual for the French(!) and then after a quick wash we made our way to the Champs Elysees. I have popped into an internet cafe to let you know that my cell no has changed and is now 00 33 634578035. Will try to update a bit later, but please know that your children are all well and VERY happy!Some more news--- everyone was VERY reluctant to leave the Champs Elysees and I had to promise that we would return to Zara etc!! After a quick bite, we made our way to the Eiffel Tower and were horrified by the queues. However, in my inimitable way we jumped them all and Helen Druce, the teacher from St Peter's even managed to pass as a student! The weather was perfect and the view of the city was superb. With the little energy we had left, we made our way to la Place de la Concorde and then we caught the metro home. Everyone was so pleased to have a relaxing evening - some chose take aways and others opted for a more authenitic french meal at one of the neighbouring retaurants. In the early evening my daughter, Michelle, arrived from London to commence her ' duties' and of course I was delighted to see her again! We certainly packed a lot into one day!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
11 April 2007 Another exciting day in Paris!
We all met at 8.00am in the dining room and everyone was delighted by the breakfast on offer - yogurts, fruit, croissants, pain au chocolat, eggs, cheese, cold meats etc etc. It's really a very clean and comfortable hotel. Our first port of call was to the Louvre and I have left the group there with Michelle. The queues were ridiculous, stretching out onto the street, but once again, to the embarrassment of many, we fast-tracked it to the front in no time at all. Don't be surprised if your children come home far more assertive, having developed a very thick skin! I will meet them again at 12.00pm and we will then make our way via the Tuileries Gardens to the Place Vendome, where we have encouraged Mika Marffy to try to enter the front doors of the Ritz Hotel - she certainly looks the part today!Then we'll view the 'Opera' followed by some window shopping at Galeries Lafayette. At 3.00pm we have our cruise on the river Seine and I'm still undecided about our best option thereafter -- will let you know later!---- voici le update! I decided to rearrange a few time slots, starting with some free time to eat lunch in the Tuileries Gardens~so relaxing and much needed. The cruise was wonderful and the fine, clear weather was a real bonus. A few people wanted to return to some selected shops on the Champs Elysee, so I made provision for this too~how to win friends and improve one's popularity rating! Michelle and I are so impressed with the group - they are interested in everything and we have not had a moment's concern with any of them - bravo!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
12 April 2007 Last day in Paris!
After another ample breakfast, we set off for our morning visit to Versailles. We took the RER, which is the suburban train and this was a new and valuable experience for the students. I organized the entrance, yes~more queue jumping!~and then left them with Michelle whilst I dashed to the nearest internet cafe to keep you updated. We will buy baguettes for the train journey back and once in Paris, we will visit Notre Dame. Thereafter, we will cross to the right bank and see the Hotel de Ville and the Georges Pompidou Centre. The late afernoon and early evenig will be spent in the Montmartre district and all are looking forward to see ing Sacre Coeur and la place du Tertre. To complete our tour, we will pass the Moulin Rouge and no doubt they will be a bit shocked by the 'different' shops in the vicinity --- all part of the rounded education!!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
13 April 2007 TGV to the Cote d'Azur
After our three action-packed days in Paris, we said a fond farewell to Paris and boarded the TGV to the south of France. This was a chance for us all to relax and unwind, which was wonderful! At 5.00pm we arrived in Antibes and were met by Carine, our 'animatrice' from the Centre International d'Antibes. I never cease to be amazed by the institute's professionalism, as they organize the slick trasfers, the refreshments upon arrival, the efficient testing of students, the briefing on proposed activities and the ultimate hand-over to the 'familles d'acceuil'. I met each and every family and as a mother, I would like to assure you that your children are all in very good hands - if they have concerns, they know that they can call me at any time of day or night.
Written by: Jenny Peddle
14 April 2007 First outing on the Cote d'Azur
We all met in the Place de Gaulle and there was such a buzz about the host families! All seemed genuinely happy with their allocation and the anecdotes from the evening were really entertaining! Carine is our dedicated 'animatrice' and the girls adore her. I have worked with her on numerous occasions and enjoy her thorough explanations and her empathy towards the students. She conducted a very interesting tour of Antibes in the morning and then in the afternoon we all boarded a coach for St Paul de Vence, which gave us a wonderful taste of Provence. We returned around 6.00pm and all were looking forward to dinner with their hosts and an early evening in preparation for tomorrow.
Written by: Jenny Peddle
15 April 2007 Iles de Lerins/Juan Les Pins
At 10.00am, we all met at the train station and made our way to Cannes. We then walked past fleets of magnificent sailing vessels en route to the port, where we boarded our boat bound for 'Les Iles de Lerins'. Carine, our animatrice, is amazingly knowledgeable and she shared many interesting snippets with the children...always in French! Walking into the cell of the 'Man in the Iron Mask' was really sinister and led to much discussion around the legend. After a picnic lunch, we all made our way back to Juan Les Pins, where we spent a relaxing afternoon shopping, swimming and sunbathing. A truly magnificent day on the Cote d'Azur!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
16 April 2007 Shopping along la Croisette in Cannes!
What a very special birthday I had and how spoilt I was! Cards, sms's, kisses, hugs, presents, cakes, flowers ~ all in this idyllic setting of the Cote d'Azur! Everyone started class today and there were 'Goldilock's' reactions -- too hard, too easy, just right! Carine and I discussed these with the teachers concerned and we made a few adjustments where necessary. Everyone was amazed by the vast array of food at lunchtime ~ salads, roast beef, chips, peas, yogurts, dessert, fruit, cheese, rolls etc! Needless to say, no one left the table hungry! My darling daughter and co-chaperone, Michelle, had organized two delicious tarts for me to share with the group and my birthday wish was that I'd have the energy and good health to organize and accompany groups to France for many, many more years! After lunch we made our way to the station and travelled by train to Cannes, where we spent a lovely afternoon, in perfect weather!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
17 April 2007 Parfumerie et Confiserie!
I met with all the students at 8.30am and everyone was looking forward to class. One of the group really made my day when she said: "Madame, I was dreading the school part of this tour, but I find it so stimulating and such fun!" This is so rewarding for me. After another delicious lunch, we boarded our coach and made our way to the Fragonard in Grasse. All thoroughly enjoyed the tour of the 'parfumerie' and many purchases were made! Instead of continuing to the hilltop village of Gourdon, Carine suggested an alternative excursion to Florian, a world renowned 'confiserie' where they make sweets, choclates and jams! What a success this outing was - not sure if they made any profit from our group after all the free tasting! The school organized a barbeque in the evening and this was a wonderful opportunity to socialize and relax with other international students. The food was outstanding - lamb, chicken, sausages, chips, salads, rolls, doughnuts, sweets etc etc. Such a lovely ending to a perfect day.
Written by: Jenny Peddle
18 April 2007 Excursion to Nice
It's amazing to greet so many enthusiastic students on their way to school! They are all really enjoying the lessons and mixing with others from all over the world. After lunch we boarded our coach and travelled to Nice, the Queen of the Riviera. We started with a walk along the 'Promenade des Anglais' and then continued through the 'old town' , noting the strong Italian influence. We stopped to have an icecream on the central square and the flavours were amazing, ranging from tomato - avocado - prickly pear - poppy - lavender etc!! With just over an hour of 'temps libre', some chose to go to the beach, others opted to return to ' la vieille ville', whilst others preferred to explore Galeries Lafayette and Virgin in the main shopping boulevard. Everyone had a wonderful day and we all excitedly looked at each other's purchases on the way home! All seem to have budgeted well during this trip and no one is crying poverty yet!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
19 April 2007 Bon anniversaire a Michelle!
An excited buzz this morning as everyone wished Michelle Le Grange 'Bon anniversaire'! The chef, Jean-Marie, made her a birthday cake and the entire restaurant burst into song at lunchtime! We then took the train to Monaco and everyone loved the cleanliness of this principality. We visited the palace and were delighted to see the flag flying high, signifying that the royal family was in residence.... all kept an eye out for Caroline's 'hot' son! We visited the beautiful Cathedral and the world famous Oceanographic Museum, which was remarkable. The weather was perfect and the sun still high when we returned at 7.15pm. This was our last excursion together and we all gathered on the lawn to say farewell to our amazing 'animatrice', Carine. She has played such an important role in our tour and everybody was very sad to say goodbye to her. All have taken her email address, so all now have an official French penpal!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
20 April 2007 Last day at school
Everyone was very sad to say farewell to the teachers this morning and once again I proudly accepted compliments on the enthusiasm and commitment of our South African students. They all received certificates, which reflected their level of achievement and a comment from the educators. After lunch, we had 'un apres-midi libre' and most chose to explore Antibes in more depth - it is the most beautiful town!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
21 April 2007 Final arrangements
We will all be meeting at the school at 14h00 today for our transfer to the airport in Nice. I know from experience that this is a sad journey and how very hard it is for the group to say goodbye to each other. I personally have to say farewell to my daughter and co-chaperone and all parents will know how I feel! She has truly been an asset to the group and has helped me enormously. We depart Nice at 16h20 and then spend a long time in transit at Charles de Gaulle. We depart on AF 990 at 23h15 and no need to remind you, I'm sure, that we are scheduled to arrive at O R Tambo International at 09h40 tomorrow morning. This has been a superb group and I will write my last entry once back in SA.
Written by: Jenny Peddle
22 April 2007 Safe return and mixed emotions
Everyone arrived safe and sound at OR Tambo this morning and we all felt like celebrities walking into Terminal 1 with so many cameras flashing! Whilst everyone is obviously looking forward to seeing family and friends back home, all have a sense of sadness as they say farewell to people they have grown so close to and grown accustomed to seeing on a daily basis. As parents, you have certainly afforded your children the most wonderful opportunity and I have no doubt that each and every child will have returned not only academically enriched, but enriched as a person, having matured and grown in confidence. It has been a real privilege to chaperone the students from St Andrew's School for Girls, St Peter's College and Kingswood College in Grahamstown and I would like to compliment the parents and schools on producing such fine young adults. It remains for me to say 'merci beaucoup' to you all and 'gros bisous'!
Written by: Jenny Peddle