ST PETER'S & BRESCIA TOUR TO FRANCE ~ AUGUST 2008
5 August 2008 Great excitement!
22h00 and we're through passport control! The girls are so very excited and I doubt there will be much sleep on the plane tonight! A reminder that during the course of the tour, I may be contacted on my French mobile which is + 33 6 18 43 14 00 or on my regular email which is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. For the Mums who are feeling a little sad and apprehensive, please rest assured that we will take very good care of your precious children. A demain.....
Written by: Jenny Peddle
6 August 2008 Safe arrival + great drama!
Bienvenue a Paris et quelle jourrnee!My apologies for only updating at 23h30, but this is the first time I have sat down all day, let alone find a computer! We all had a very comfortable flight and disembarked in high spirits at 10h00 this morning.We were delighted to find that the passport control was virtually empty and thought that we would all be safely reunited with our bags within 15 minutes. Six of us had passed through when the 'abandoned packet' was discovered and the remaining girls and teachers were evacuated, not seen again for over an hour! The six of us on ' the other side' witnessed heavily armed soldiers & policemen swarm the building and finally the bomb squad came and detonated this insignificant looking parcel. With great glee we were eventually all reunited at 12h00 and the chatter was non stop on the coach to our hotel! After freshening up, we made our way to the Eiffel Tower + the cruise on the Seine, which everyone loved. The weather is very hot in Paris and with not a cloud in the sky, the pictures will be superb. After a three course meal in a local restaurant, all have fallen into bed and I do not expect them to stir until breakfast tomorrow. A demain!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
7 August 2008 A wonderful day in Paris!
Everyone had such a lovely sleep and woke up really refreshed. After a substantial breakfast, we all made our way to the Louvre and since we were one of the first groups to enter, we were able to avoid the horrendous queues! Our guide was very knowledgeable and made the whole experience so very interesting. After the tour, we walked outside and took pictures by the glass pyramids, before strolling through the Tuileries Gardens. Then the part all had been so looking forward to .... shopping on the Champs Elysees! With several designer packets in hand, we all met at 3.00pm in front of the Arc de Triomphe. We decided to extend our original itinerary for the day and we travelled by metro to the Hotel de Ville and the Georges Pompidou Centre. For dinner tonight the girls are going to experience shopping in the supermarket which is close to our hotel. At 8.15pm we will board our coach and enjoy a guided tour of Paris by night --- everyone is very excited about seeing 'Les Illuminations'!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
8 August 2008 Opera, Grands Boulevards and Montmartre!
Fortunately, we had a slightly longer lie-in this morning, since our tour of the Opera Garnier was only scheduled for 10.00am. Everyone was overwhelmed by the beauty & opulence of this national monument and our guide really made the tour so very interesting. We then spent some time shopping on the famous Grands Boulevards and while many found designer items in Galeries Lafayette and Printemps, others found exceptional bargains in the stalls situated just outside their doors! In the afternoon we made our way to Montmartre, where we all heroically climbed the 300 stairs to Sacre Coeur! Many of the girls had their portraits painted in the Place du Tertre and all were proud of the fact that they had bargained so well! We completed out tour with a viewing of the Moulin Rouge and a few 'risque' shops (!) and then made our way back to the hotel by 8.00pm. It was a wonderful day and the group has bonded so well!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
9 August 2008 Notre Dame + Versailles
After a leisurely breakfast this morning, we made our way to l'Ile de la Cite, where everyone was stunned by the magnitude and beauty of Notre Dame. At midday we made our way on the RER to Versailles and our visit to the Palace was very special. Frank, our guide, was so entertaining and he really brought the history of France and the French Revolution to life. At 5.15pm we returned to Paris, where we decided to spend our last evening on the Champs Elysees. All returned to the hotel in high spirits and the girls are feeling sad at the though of leaving Paris tomorrow. Our coach will collect us at 9.30 in the morning and we are scheduled to arrive in Antibes at 5.00pm.
Written by: Jenny Peddle
10 August 2008 Welcome to Campus Horticole!
We departed from the hotel at 9.30am and made our way by coach to the Gare de Lyon. Loading our heavy luggage onto the TGV is a story all of its own, but suffice to say, we succeeded! We then enjoyed a wonderfully relaxing 5 hour journey to the South of France and there were many excited exclamations as the girls had their first glimpse of the French Riviera! Upon arrival at the station in Antibes, we were transported to the campus, where the luggage was stored. After a brief orientation tour of Antibes, many of the girls enjoyed a swim in the warm waters of the Mediterranean, before returning to campus. After dinner in the restaurant, everyone was shown to their room and given some time to settle in. At 9.00pm there was a formal meeting with the campus management, where the rules & formalities were outlined. This was followed by an ice-breaker social, where everyone had the opportunity to interact with students form the other countries. Although weary, everyone is very happy!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
11 August 2008 Quelle journee!
Everyone gathered in the courtyard at 8.30am and all seemed a little anxious for their first morning of class. The students have been placed according to their individual level of French and with no more than 15 per class, all are assured of personal attention. At tea-time, all signs of trepidation had disappeared and some of the comments were: 'Wow, these lessons are really cool'; 'We have learnt so much already'; 'My class is such fun'; 'I have made friends with people from other countries'; 'My teacher is fantastic' etc! After a lovely lunch in the restaurant, we spent the afternoon exploring la vieille ville in Antibes. Since the weather was so beautiful, some chose to swim in the calm waters of the Mediterranean or sunbathe on the beach. At 6.00pm a happy group gathered on the Place de Gaulle and all returned to the Campus in high spirits. After dinner, a karaoke evening was organized by the animateurs & animatrices and this was a great success!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
12 August 2008 Excursion to Cannes
I chatted to the group after breakfast and all were very excited and motivated to go to class.... unlike yesterday! They found the lessons really stimulating and the teachers are very impressed with the South Africans. I was working in the staffroom this morning when I overheard the educators chatting about the wonderful behaviour of our students. They praised them for their level of commitment, the effort which they make in class and their genuine desire to progress. All the teachers wish that their classes were filled with South Africans throughout the year! After lunch we traveled by coach to the station where we hopped on board the train to Cannes. We started with a visit to the ancient neighbourhood of Le Suquet, from where there is a splendid panoramic view of the Bay of Cannes & the Esteral Mountains. After a visit to the Palais des Festivals and a photo-shoot on the red carpet, we had some 'temps libre' – some free time! Most headed off to the little back-street shops which are full of bargains, whilst others preferred to window shop in the designer boutiques along La Croisette. In spite of the intense heat, only a few decided to swim or sunbathe on the beach. We returned to Campus at 6.30pm where a wonderful soiree barbeque awaited them in the courtyard. The food selection was vast and the effort that had gone into this evening was unbelievable. Two discos had been arranged and the soiree promises to be great fun!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
13 August 2008 Parfumerie + Confisserie
Everyone was very excited about today's excursion! The weather continues to be extremely hot and we really appreciated our air-conditioned coach to Grasse. We had a very interesting tour of the Fragonard 'parfumerie' and judging by the packets, many purchases were made! After a quick visit to the 'vieille ville', we departed for the Gorges du Loup and the scenery en route was magnificent. The Florian confisserie is world renowned and they make sweets, chocolates & jams on site - the free tastings were greatly appreciated! Laden with even more packets, we returned to the campus around 6.30pm with enough time to have a swim, eat dinner and change for our evening outing to Juan les Pins. In summer this little town adjacent to Antibes becomes a wonderful attraction for tourists. The beachfront is strewn with colourful stalls and the sight of diners enjoying a meal on the beach in the moonlight with the waves lapping at their feet, is so romantic! Everyone loved the outing and all returned to campus in a very jovial mood! Please note the number of the phone booth on campus: 00 33 4 97 21 29 24
Written by: Jenny Peddle
14 August 2008 Fun in the sun!
After school today, all the students were so proud to receive their certificates, which formally indicated their level of achievement in addition to a detailed course assessment. The teachers have been so impressed with the behaviour and commitment of the South African students and they were delighted with their individual progress. After yet another delicious lunch, all made their way to the beach for an afternoon of sailing on a catamaran! This excursion is run by a professional sailing school and upon arrival all were asked to don life jackets and given formal instructions. The weather was superb and the sight of the colourful boats bobbing up and down on the calm, azure blue waters of the Mediterranean, with the Alps and the vieille ville of Antibes as a backdrop will be indelibly printed on everyone's mind forever! The children were then given the choice of remaining on the beach or walking to the vieille ville to do some shopping – the majority opting for the former! After a wonderfully relaxing afternoon, all returned to the campus in time to freshen up before dinner. A pool party has been organized for this evening and it promises to be great fun!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
15 August 2008 Excursion to Nice & Monaco
Since today is a public holiday in France, there were no classes. A full day outing by coach was organized to Nice and Monaco and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the excursion. We approached the 'Queen of the Riviera' along the beautiful Promenade des Anglais, which is lined with its legendary palm trees. The newly revamped Place Massena was our central meeting point and everyone was given some free time to explore Nice. Many shopped along Boulevard Jean Medecin, which boasts a wealth of name-brand boutiques, some meandered through the narrow streets of 'la vieille ville' noting the strong Italian influence, whilst others decided to sunbathe on the rather uncomfortable pebble beach and cool off in the azure waters of the Mediterranean. At 1.00pm we departed for the Principality of Monaco, traveling along the spectacular coastal route. Everyone was astounded by the breathtaking views of beaches, coves & mountains which descended dramatically into the sea and it was a delight to pass through beautiful towns like Beaulieu sur Mer and Villefranche. Everyone took photos of the famous palace situated on 'le rocher' before visiting the Cathedral, where Prince Rainier and Princess Grace are laid to rest. The views from the top never fail to impress, with stunning villas, white yachts, blue seas, purple mountains all creating a picture postcard. Everyone enjoyed the inclusion of a tour aboard 'le petit train', which weaved through the streets of Monaco, passing along the route of the Formula 1 Grand Prix. It was a wonderful excursion and a highlight for many! The coach returned to campus at 6.00pm and due to popular demand, I have agreed to schedule an additional excursion to Juan les Pins ... rumour has it that there will be a fireworks display over the ocean tonight!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
16 August 2008 Homeward bound!
How quickly time flies and after so much built-up and excitement, it is hard to believe that today is the final day of such a wonderful tour. The girls were very punctual and by 8.30am all the rooms had been vacated, with the suitcases locked in one designated room. Everyone gathered in the courtyard, where they said farewell to the Redhillians, who were continuing their journey to Chamonix. At 9.00am we took a bus into town, where all enjoyed spending their remaining euros. We returned to campus at midday and I called a meeting to officially say goodbye to everyone, since I will be remaining in France with the St Stithians group. This gave us all a wonderful opportunity to recap on our entire tour and there were many fond memories of Paris and our time spent in the South of France. The group has bonded unbelievably well and the chaperones and I are so very fond and immensely proud of all the girls. With many tears, we left the campus at 1.00pm and arrived at the airport just before 2.00pm. Everyone was so concerned about having to pay for extra luggage, but NO problems at all were encountered! Mama Jay (as I have been dubbed by the St Peter's girls!) waved a final farewell at 3.00pm and I am not ashamed to admit that I was very tearful to say goodbye to such a lovely group of students. They will depart Paris at 23h15 on AF 990, arriving in Johannesburg, somewhat exhausted, at 09h35 on Sunday 17 August. Mrs Elizabeth Howard from Brescia, Mrs Helen Druce & Mrs Veronica Ellis from St Peter's will accompany the group home and I know that your children will be in very good hands. It has been my pleasure to work with all three educators and I applaud their sense of responsibility, commitment and genuine compassion for all members of the touring group. I have no doubt that each and every child will return not only academically and culturally enriched, but enriched as a person, having matured and grown in confidence. As parents, you can rest certain in the knowledge that you have afforded your children an invaluable opportunity and that these wonderful memories will last a lifetime. It has been my great pleasure and privilege to be associated with St Peter's College & Brescia House and I look forward to our continued liaison in the future. It remains for me to wish the group bon voyage, bon retour et a la prochaine!
Written by: Jenny Peddle