KINGSMEAD COLLEGE TOUR TO FRANCE ~ APRIL 2009
16 April 2009 D Day!
Great excitement at OR Tambo tonight and I look forward to meeting the group upon arrival in Paris tomorrow! A reminder that I may be contacted on + 33 6 18 43 14 00 and Mrs Townsend on + 27 83 457 6419. A demain...!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
17 April 2009 Safe arrival and a lovely day!
Bienvenue en France! All arrived safe & sound this morning and after having placed their cases in a secure room, the girls embarked on a stroll down the Champs Elysées. They then made their way to Notre Dame and the beautiful weather enhanced the experience of both the cruise on the River Seine and the visit to the Eiffel Tower in the afternoon. They have just returned from a very full day and all have elected to eat dinner in the hotel restaurant tonight. A good night's sleep will no doubt be welcomed and breakfast is scheduled for 8.30am tomorrow. Should you wish to contact your daughter, the contact details for the hotel Kyriad La Villette are ~ Tel: + 33 1 44 72 46 46 Fax: + 33 1 44 72 46 47.
Written by: Jenny Peddle
18 April 2009 Another full day in Paris!
What another full day the group has had and it's not over yet...the coach tour of Paris by night still lies ahead and everyone is really looking forward to this! The girls all enjoyed a good night's rest and then set off around 9.30am for Montmartre. Unfortunately the weather was a bit miserable today, but this in no way marred their enjoyment and all were in awe of Sacré Coeur and La Place du Tertre. At 4.00pm the girls joined the throngs of tourists at the Louvre, where they thoroughly enjoyed a guided visit. The departure for the airport is scheduled for 10.15am tomorrow and everyone is really looking forward to the new experience which awaits them. Apologies for this hasty update, but I have much to do before our coach arrives at 7.45pm!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
19 April 2009 Bienvenue à Antibes!
Everyone was ready and waiting in the hotel foyer at 9.30am and at 10.00am they loaded their luggage into the awaiting coach. Although a relatively short time had been spent in Paris, the girls had seen and done so much and all agreed that they would love to return some day soon! Efficient staff at Roissy Charles de Gaulle facilitated the check-in procedure and at lunchtime 70 South Africans boarded the flight to Nice, Côte d'Azur ... we even thought of re-naming the plane La Touche Personelle! Upon arrival in Nice we were greeted by the 'animateurs' from Le Centre International d'Antibes, who assisted the girls with their COPIOUS luggage! We then traveled to Antibes, where we left the suitcases before enjoying a relaxing stroll through the vieille ville. Everyone immediately fell in love with and felt à l'aise in this quaint town and all unanimously agreed that this was an exceptional part of the world. With an ice-cream in hand, the girls followed Florian (their dedicated animateur) to the beach, where they relaxed for half an hour. Then at 6.30pm everyone returned to the school – Le Château – where the host families were waiting to collect their new charges. This is the part I always love to observe and all seemed very happy as they embarked on this new experience! Although all the families have been fully screened & accredited, I reminded the girls that should they have any concerns, they were to contact me immediately. Bon séjour à tout le monde!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
20 April 2009 Lovely excursion to Cannes!
Everyone arrived at Le Château by 8.20 this morning and there was much excited chatter as they compared notes on their host families! The girls were placed in classes to suit their varying levels of ability and all seemed to enjoy their first 3 hours of interactive, communicative French! Lunch was served in the school restaurant and ever yone was very impressed by the vast selection on offer – salads, roast beef, potatoes, fruit, crème caramel, cheese, rolls etc! After lunch, the girls + Florian made their way by train to Cannes and the outing was a huge success! After a visit to the Palais des Festivals and a photo-shoot on the famous steps (sadly no red carpet at this time of year!), the group was allowed 'du temps libre' - which equates to some serious shopping! A short time was spent looking at the designer boutiques along La Croisette, before they discovered the well known stores like Zara, Morgan, Galéries Lafayette etc. They were also delighted to discover the even more affordable back-street shops, with an abundance of bargains! Armed with parcels and packets, a happy band of Kingsmead College girls made their way back to Antibes at 6.00pm, unanimously declaring it to have been a superb excursion!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
21 April 2009 Excursion to the Principality of Monaco
The teachers and I were once again greeted by broad smiles as all gathered in preparation for lessons this morning. There are several other nationalities represented and the girls are enjoying making cultural comparisons! After lunch we boarded a coach for Monaco ~ a brand new luxury coach with all the latest technology! We travelled along the spectacular 'route du littoral' (the coastal route) and everyone was astounded by the breathtaking views of stunning villas, white yachts, pebble beaches, coves & mountains which descend dramatically into the azure blue seas. Upon arrival and amidst disbelief at the obvious wealth of this principality, we all boarded 'le petit train' and enjoyed a tour through the streets of Monte Carlo. Thereafter, we visited the Cathedral, where Prince Rainier and Princess Grace are laid to rest and also the Palace ~ unfortunately the royal family was not in residence and the girls were disappointed not to catch a glimpse of Princess Caroline's 'hot' son! Then they had an hour for some Grand Prix souvenir shopping, before boarding the coach at 5.15pm. It was a wonderful excursion and the girls sang their way back to Antibes!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
22 April 2009 Une journée magnifique à Nice!
Another warm greeting from all the girls as they eagerly headed off to class this morning! The educators at Le Centre International d'Antibes have once again commented on the wonderful positive attitude of our South African children ~ something which they find quite rare with teenagers in this day and age. After another unbelievably delicious lunch, 69 'sud-afs' made their way to the train station for an excursion to Nice. A train ride is such a novelty for our girls and we were indeed fortunate to have a pristine clean TGV for both legs of the journey. Upon arrival we made our way down the Boulevard Jean Medecin to the newly revamped Place Massena and here the girls were allowed 'du temps libre'! Whilst some headed directly to the name-brand boutiques, some chose to meander through the narrow streets of 'la vieille ville' and look for bargains. A few decided to relax for a while and enjoy the ambience along the Promenade des Anglais, which is lined with its legendary palm trees. We only left Nice at 6.45pm and then made our way directly to the school residence in Juan les Pins, where a multitude of international students had gathered for 'une soirée barbecue'. Even by South African standards, this was really delicious and the evening was great fun ~ quelle journée magnifique!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
23 April 2009 Excursion à Grasse
Once again, everyone arrived bright & breezy at the school this morning and all thoroughly enjoyed their lessons. My chest is constantly puffed up as the chaperones and I accept all the compliments on behalf of the Kingsmead College girls! The weather continues to be wonderful and after lunch we boarded a luxury coach to Grasse ~ the home to French perfume. Upon arrival we hopped on board 'le petit train' which miraculously weaved its way through the 'vieille ville' and the 'vieille historique'. We then had time to explore on foot and many visited the Cathedral, which lays claim to 3 original Rubens' paintings + a superb painting by Fragonard. Thereafter, the girls enjoyed a guided tour of the Fragonard 'parfumerie' and judging by the packets in the coach, many purchases were made!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
24 April 2009 Farewell to France!
Today sadly marks the end of such a successful tour and so much has been packed into the last 8 day! After school this morning the girls received their certificates of competency and then they enjoyed their final lunch with Florian. He has been an amazing 'animateur' and the girls have really enjoyed his sense of fun ~ not to mention his good looks! The airport transfer is scheduled to depart at 13h45 for the 16h15 flight to Paris (note this amendment to AF7715). Once at Roissy Charles de Gaulle, the group will remain in transit, where they will undoubtedly enjoy the duty free shops! It is here that they will bid farewell to Mrs Townsend, who will be flying to London to see her son & future daughter-in-law and we all wish her a wonderfully relaxing & happy few days. In the company of Mrs Harding, the girls will board flight AF 990 at 23h20 tonight, which is scheduled to arrive at OR Tambo on Saturday 26 April @ 09h40. It has been my privilege and pleasure to orchestrate this Kingsmead College French tour and having spent a great deal of time with the girls, I would like to compliment them on their impeccable behaviour and sense of adventure. All have fully embraced every opportunity and they have been wonderful ambassadors for South Africa. The ultimate success of any tour depends largely on the chaperones and both Mrs Ann Townsend and Mrs Joelle Harding deserve the highest praise. Not only have they been exceptionally well organized, but they have managed to find the perfect balance between firm discipline and a sense of fun. Your children have certainly been very privileged to have travelled with them! The superb memories and firm bonds of friendships which have been made will last a lifetime. It remains for me to say 'merci beaucoup, bon retour et a la prochaine'!
Written by: Jenny Peddle