ST MARY'S WAVERLEY TOUR TO FRANCE - April 2011
10 April 2011 On y va!
Bonjour d’Antibes, where I arrived at midday with my Independent + the Roedean groups. France is wonderful and I hope that all went well with the St Mary’s Waverley check-in & that the girls have as much fun as we did last night! I will contact the chaperones tomorrow morning and update you as soon a possible…
Written by: Jenny Peddle
11 April 2011 Safe arrival!
I have not spoken directly to the chaperones yet, but the hotel reception informs me that the group arrived safely this morning and after having freshened up, a happy band of travellers departed, eagerly awaiting their visit to the Eiffel Tower and the cruise on the river Seine. If you as parents receive information from your daughters which you wish to share with others, please just drop me a line. A reminder that they are staying at the Campanile Maine Montparnasse and the contact numbers are Tel: 00 33 1 53 74 60 00 & Fax: 00 33 1 40 47 01 49.
Written by: Jenny Peddle
12 April 2011 Visit to Notre Dame and Sacre Coeur!
The chaperones have confirmed that the girls are having a wonderful time in Paris and today they visited the Cathedral of Notre Dame before strolling through Le Quartier Latin ~ a quintessential part of this magnificent city. After lunch all hopped on board the metro and headed for Montmartre, the oldest district and highest natural point in Paris, where they visited the beautiful basilica of Sacré Coeur. Thereafter they made their way to the Place du Tertre, where I am sure many were tempted to have their portraits painted! Dinner was served in one of the historic restaurants on the square ‘La Cremaillerie’ after which all returned to the hotel to enjoy a good night’s sleep and recharge batteries for tomorrow!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
13 April 2011 Champs Elysées + Louvre + Les Illuminations!
I received a lovely update from Natacha who says that the girls really enjoyed a hearty breakfast and that the choice of food was amazing. Fortified for the morning, they then travelled on the metro to the wonderful Champs Elysées, where the chaperones helped a few girls purchase sim cards. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the 2 hours they were ‘let loose’ to shop (!) and laden with brightly coloured designer packets, all reassembled on the Place de la Concorde to continue through the Tuileries Garden for their afternoon visit to the Louvre. Apparently the museum was teaming with people, since it is the European school holidays, but all enjoyed their tour, in spite of the guide speaking mainly in French ~ rather challenging for some and the teachers’ translations were much appreciated! Thereafter they strolled along the Rue de Rivoli before hopping on a very busy metro for the return journey to the hotel. All had time to relax and eat dinner before boarding the coach at 8.30pm for their night tour of this magnificent city. ‘Les Illuminations’ is always a highlight of the Paris sector and I can only imagine the squeals of delight as the Eiffel Tower lit up at 10.00pm! Their guide, Catherine, is a lady with whom I have worked for many years and her knowledge of this city is astounding ~ she would certainly have had all the answers to the many enquiring minds on our tour! The group has apparently bonded very well and everyone is having a marvellous time!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
14 April 2011 Paris to Rouen!
It was au revoir to Paris this morning as all hopped on board their coach to Rouen. At lunchtime the group arrived at the Kyriad hotel, where they were able to leave their luggage and freshen up before meeting with their escort for an afternoon walking tour. The girls really enjoyed their guide who was really knowledgeable and very witty! Dinner will be served in the hotel tonight, after which they will go out for an evening stroll with the chaperones.
Written by: Jenny Peddle
15 April 2011 Onward to Blois!
Today the group traveled to Blois, stopping in Chartres to visit the Cathedral which is renowned for its beautiful stained glass windows. At 4.00pm all donned riding helmets and accompanied by a professional escort, everyone enjoyed a 2 hour cycle through vineyards and amazing fields of yellow rapes ~ what a wonderful and unique experience for all! A reminder that the group is staying at the Hotel de France et de Guise and the contact details are: Telephone 00 33 2 54 78 00 53 and Fax 00 33 2 54 78 29 45.
Written by: Jenny Peddle
16 April 2011 Chambord and Chenonceau
I received a message from the chaperones to say that everyone thoroughly enjoyed their visit to 2 of the most beautiful chateaux in the Loire Valley, Chambord and Chenonceau. The hotel is really comfortable, the hosts very accommodating and the food is apparently delicious!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
17 April 2011 Bienvenue a Antibes!
An early start this morning in order to avoid all the Easter traffic and at 10.00am the group arrived at Orly, excited to commence the next phase of their tour. Roedean and my independent group have just completed our week in Antibes, so we know (and feel quite envious about) the joy that lies in store for your daughters! At 2.30pm the girls were warmly welcomed at the airport by their animateur, Luic and they were then transferred to Le Chateau, where they were able to quickly freshen up and leave their suitcases before commencing a short orientation tour of this magnificent seaside resort. At 6.00pm everyone was introduced to their familles d’accueil and there is no need for concern as all have this last week hosted either the Roedean girls or children from my Independent group, with great success and compliments! They are sure to have a good night’s sleep and will no doubt be full of stories as they gather for lessons at the school tomorrow morning.
Written by: Jenny Peddle
18 April 2011 Excursion to Cannes!
Everyone had a wonderful sleep and all arrived bright-eyed at the school this morning, chatting excitedly about their host families! Thereafter they were divided into groups and followed their designated tutors for 3 hours of communicative French tuition. After a delicious lunch all hoped on board the train to Cannes and Luic, their amazing ‘animateur’, started the tour with a walk through the Rue Meynadier, a street which is renowned for its amazing bargains, where the girls showed great restraint! They climbed up to Le Suquet, a landmark which affords a magnificent view over the yacht-lined bay & the Estérel Mountains and upon their return to the beachfront, they visited the Palais des Festivals. After a photo-shoot on the famous steps (sadly no red carpet at this time of year!), the girls were allowed ‘du temps libre’, which equates to some time for serious shopping! After a brief look at the exorbitant designer boutiques along La Croisette, they swarmed to the well known brand stores such as Zara, Morgan, Galéries Lafayette etc. The more affordable shops on Rue Meynadier were of course revisited and then at 6.30pm, laden with parcels and packets, a happy group of girls returned to the station in Juan Les Pins, from where they walked to the venue for the combined soirée barbeque. What a wonderful, animated evening it was ~ plenty of food, with much laughter and social interaction!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
19 April 2011 Excursion to Monaco!
I am leaving France with my Independent group this evening, so will be out of contact until tomorrow. I have heard that everyone arrived at the school this morning in good spirits, all looking forward to improving their spoken French with students of varying nationalities. After lunch all hopped on board the coach and departed for Monaco, driving along the ‘route du littoral’, the coastal road, admiring the magnificent views en route. Upon arrival in Monaco everyone was struck by the cleanliness and obvious wealth of this small principality and with 1 policeman per every 60 tourists, no one even thinks of dropping a sweet paper! All thoroughly enjoyed the ride on the ‘petit train’, which is a great tourist attraction, since it gives excellent commentary on the history of the Principality as you travel through parts of the F1 race track and stop for photos in front of the famous Monte Carlo Casino. The Palace is unfortunately surrounded by scaffolding as it is undergoing a major face lift for the forthcoming wedding of Prince Albert to our very own South African Olympic swimmer Charlene Wittstock. After some souvenir shopping all headed back to Antibes, having enjoyed another lovely day in this idyllic part of the world.
Written by: Jenny Peddle
20 April 2011 An afternoon to explore Antibes!
I returned to Cape Town this afternoon after a wonderful tour with my Independent Group and I wish the St Mary’s Waver ley girls ‘bonne continuation’ with their tour! Everyone arrived at the school once again in high spirits and the chaperones were delighted to see the animated interaction between their students and the international students as they gathered in the foyer or on the lawn prior to class. The girls were delighted to have a free afternoon to wander through the quaint town of Antibes, many heading off to the Musée Picasso, whilst others were keen to explore the fascinating shops in the vieille ville ~ only a few were willing to brave a swim in the Mediterranean Sea!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
21 April 2011 Quelle journée magnifique à Nice!
There was a switch in the programme today and after lunch all made their way to the train station for an afternoon excursion to Nice, the ‘Queen the Riviera’. Led by their beloved animateur, Loic, all enjoyed an orientation tour with valuable commentary and then, to their delight, he declared ‘du temps libre’ ~ equating to some free time to shop! The majority headed off to the name brand boutiques along the Boulevard Jean Medecin, whilst others preferred to meander through the narrow streets of ‘la vieille ville’ looking for bargains and only a few chose to soak up the ambience on the seafront. After a wonderful afternoon, all gathered on the newly revamped Place Masena and made their way back to the station for the return journey to Antibes. Quelle journée magnifique!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
22 April 2011 Final day at school + excursion to Grasse!
The week in Antibes has flown by so very quickly and today marked the end of their formal French tuition. The girls were proud recipients of a DELF accredited certificate which attests to the level attained + a comment from their teachers and once again the South African students were globally praised for their positive & enthusiastic approach to the lessons. After saying farewell to all the international friends they have made, everyone hopped on board the coach and made their way to Grasse, the home of French perfume and dubbed the ‘balcony of Provence’ for its magnificent views. Loic started with a short visit to the vieille ville, where he pointed out the 3 original Rubens’ paintings in the local church. Then, after sampling the best crepes in Grasse, they enjoyed a fascinating guided tour of the Fragonard Perfumery ~ apparently the number of packets & the strong scent in the coach attested to the many purchases that had been made! As a treat, this olfactory experience was extended and on the way back to Antibes, the girls participated in a ‘mini workshop’, where they created their own, personal scent ~ wow, a wonderful afternoon for all!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
23 April 2011 Farewell to France!
What a beautiful, sunny day to say farewell and everyone enjoyed the morning with one last stroll through the vieille ville, exploring the marché provençal for last minute souvenirs. After lunch the girls will say a fond farewell to their host families as they depart by coach to the airport in Nice. All flights have been confirmed and AF 990 is scheduled to depart Paris tonight at 23h20, arriving at ORT on Sunday 24 April @ 09h50. I know that the girls will return with mixed emotions, as whilst they are all obviously looking forward to seeing family and friends back home, everyone will be left with a sense of sadness at having to say farewell to people they have grown so 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 return not only academically enriched, but enriched as a person, having matured and grown in confidence. It remains for me to wish you all a happy home-coming and to say ‘merci beaucoup, bon retour et à la prochaine’ + Joyeuses Pâques!
Written by: Jenny Peddle