ROEDEAN TOUR TO FRANCE ~ APRIL 2007
9 April 2007 On y va!
The day everyone has been looking forward to! Countless relatives gathered at the international departure hall to bid bon voyage to the a group of 28 excited students + 2 very brave chaperones! Only one problem in the booking in process -- a ticket was left at home! Needless to say there was a mad dash to retieve it and all was well in the end. I am on the same flight as your girls and will be chaperoning an Independent tour to France. I will only be able to update this diary tomorrow night, so please presume that no news is good news. A demain ---
Written by: Jenny Peddle
10 April 2007 Bienvenue en France!
We had a wonderful flight and the service + food was very good! As the group cleared customs, they were warmly greeted by the wide smile of Monsieur le chauffeur,who was holding a sign saying Roedean. All the girls were in excellent spirit as they boarded their coach and all were so excited about the French experience which awaits them. Please note that my cell no has changed and is now 00 33 634578035. I will update a bit later, if I have any news from the chaperones. --- voici 'un update'! They absolutely loved Rouen and could have done with a bit longer to wander through the quaint streets, lined with the medieval wooden beamed houses. They mentioned in particular the beautiful cathedral, Richard the Lionheart's grave and the site of Joan of Arc's pyre, planted with heather. Thereafter they made their way to Caen, where they visited the famous Musee du Paix.
Written by: Jenny Peddle
11 April 2007 The Normandy Beaches
Today they were to visit the Normandy Beaches and I know they were really looking forward to this. Will update once I have been in contact with the teachers. ---- voici the update! The teachers phoned this morning (Thursday) to say that they had the most wonderful day visiting the landing beaches in Normandy and all had been visibly moved by what they encountered. Their coach driver, Dominic, is apparently superb and goes out of his way to please. Their visit to Bayeux was also enriching and their day scored a unanimous 10/10!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
12 April 2007 Le Mont Saint Michel - St Malo
I received a call this morning from the teachers who reported that everyone is well and all are happy. From a subsequent sms, I heard that they had a wonderful morning at Le Mont St Michel and that they were privileged to participate in a Mass in the Abbey with the monks. Apparently the singing was outstanding. They said that their hotel in St Malo was perfectly placed within the walls of the 'vieille ville' and after walking along the ramparts, many enjoyed the local dish of 'moules marinieres'.
Written by: Jenny Peddle
13 April 2007 The Loire Valley
Today an excited band of travellers made their way to the Loire Valley. Dominic, their original coach driver sadly had to be replaced, owing to ill health --- remember to take your vitamins, girls!! The journey to Blois was long, but gave them the opportunity to relax and catch up on diary entries etc. En route they visited the fairytale castle of Azay le Rideau, where ' Sleeping Beauty' was filmed. Their hotel is once again perfectly placed in the centre of Blois, opposite the chateau.
Written by: Jenny Peddle
14 April 2007 Chenonceau and Chambord
I have not heard any specific news today, but presume that all went according to plan with scheduled visits to Chenonceau and Chambord. Will update once I have further information --- voici small update -- apparently the girls loved their hotel and the fact that they were really close to the centre of Blois. They met with the St Mary' s Waverley girls for a short while in the evening and enjoyed sharing anecdotes!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
15 April 2007 Part two - host families
Today was their last day together as a group and I should imagine that many would have been quite sad to say goodbye to each other. En route to Paris they visited the cathedral of Chartres, where they were privileged to hear a magnificent organ recital. After visiting Vaux le Vicompte, they made their way to Rue Poissonniere in Paris, where the girls were met by private taxis, which whisked them off to their new 'familles d'acceuil'. Although quite a daunting feeling, it is my sincere wish that all your children will be happy with their host families and that they will find the experience beneficial and enriching. Bon sejour et bon courage!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
16 April 2007 First day 'en classe'
I received an email from the Director of Studies at Accord, confirming that all arrived safe and sound at the school and on the basis of the written and oral assessments, they were placed in groups to suit their individual level of ability. The weather is perfect in Paris and after lunch, they enjoyed an outing to the Eiffel Tower and a cruise on the River Seine. I have not had direct contact with the teachers today, but it sounds as if all is running very smoothly!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
18 April 2007 Tout va tres bien a Paris!
I have been in touch with the Roedean teachers as well as the management at Accord and am delighted to report that your children are having a wonderful experience. They are thoroughly enjoying the stimulating lessons and mixing with a variety of other international students. The theatre workshops are great fun and an excellent means of improving their spoken French. I have had no anxious Mums on the phone and all the girls seem to have settled down well with their 'famille d'acceuil'!In terms of excursions, they have been to the Eiffel Tower, had a cruise on the River Seine, enjoyed a guided tour of l'Opera Garnier and are presently in the Louvre. Donc, tout va tres bien a Paris!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
20 April 2007 Proud recipients of certificates!
The girls have really benefitted from their week at the school and today they proudly received their certificates of achievement. They have also thoroughly enjoyed their excursions and the Palace & gardens at Versailles were firm favourites. On Sunday they will be travelling by coach to Giverney and I know they are all looking forward to this. I will be flying back to SA with my group tomorrow, so will only be able to update this diary page on Monday. Please rest assured that your children are in very good hands and that all arrangements are firmly in place.
Written by: Jenny Peddle
23 April 2007 Le depart
I have just received the final sms from the teachers who say that the girls have had a marvellous tour and all have benefited enormously from the French experience. They have really enjoyed studying at an inter national language school, staying with 'une famille d'acceuil' and being immersed into the French culture on all the excursions. They have apparently just arrived at Charles de Gaulle and their plane is due to depart at 19h40 arriving in Johannesburg at a bright and breezy 06h20! To act 'in loco parentis' for 16 days is no mean task – 'chapeaux' to Mme Una Rowlands and Mme Lise Gordon! Both teachers 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. It remains for me to say 'merci beaucoup' for the privilege of orchestrating this tour for Roedean and I look forward to the next - a la prochaine!
Written by: Jenny Peddle