Normandy And Last Night - WednESDAY 7 OCTOBER
Leaving Tours in the morning we had a 3 hour bus journey to Bayeux where we viewed the famous tapestry and had a refresher of year 8 History. We then went on to Omaha Beach, to the US Cemetery and then the one of the British landing points. The sheer size of the cemetery (10000 people) and the area covered by the landing along the coastline was quite daunting.
At Caen we enjoyed our last dinner out before packing up to leave in the morning. On the way to the airport we'll be visiting Monet's garden and Honfleur. As this will be my last entry, can I thank everyone for their messages. It has been a great trip and the students have been fantastic (see picture below of a gift they bought for us yesterday).
At Caen we enjoyed our last dinner out before packing up to leave in the morning. On the way to the airport we'll be visiting Monet's garden and Honfleur. As this will be my last entry, can I thank everyone for their messages. It has been a great trip and the students have been fantastic (see picture below of a gift they bought for us yesterday).
Leaving Le Mans - TuesDAY 6 OCTOBER
A tearful farewell....
On the way to Tours we visited Chateau Chenonceau which had a spectacular garden and castle over the river Cher. On arriving in Tours we took a train ride through the old town and then had dinner at The Brasserie L'Univers.
DAY 6 LYCEE NOTRE DAME - MonDAY 5 OCTOBER
Today we did our last presentations to the English classes and gave the French students a quiz on Australia including Aussie slang - which was somewhat amusing.
DAY 5 LYCEE NOTRE DAME - FriDAY 2 OCTOBER
This morning we went to a local boulangerie and learned how they make their products traditionally as well as with some new technology. The oven (first photo) was enormous and runs 24hours. The shop makes and sells 1500 baguettes a day!! That is not including the other patisserie items shown in the pictures below. Students all rolled a croissant and were able to sample bread fresh from the oven. Afterwards they enjoyed a hot chocolate and brioche or pain de chocolat.
After lunch some stayed with their exchanges at Lycee Notre Dame while a group of 8 went to a local high school (middle years) and shared their Australian/English skills with younger students. They presented to a students aged from 12-15 and discovered the challenges of teaching to this age group on a Friday afternoon!! They did very well and earned a weekend break. For their last weekend with their exchanges some are travelling to Paris and others are staying locally.
I will update the blog again on Monday night. Also, FYI, I have added a few photos below that the students have shared with me, including one ice skating and another at a clothing shop where they each tried on an outfit chosen by their exchange for fun.
I will update the blog again on Monday night. Also, FYI, I have added a few photos below that the students have shared with me, including one ice skating and another at a clothing shop where they each tried on an outfit chosen by their exchange for fun.
DAY 4 LYCEE NOTRE DAME - ThurSDAY 1 October
Today we went on a day trip to Angers, about an hour from Le Mans with our French exchanges. We visited the impressive castle, with 17 towers and moat which up until recently had animals such as deer grazing. The inside of the castle housed a royal residence, chapel and former prison as well as beautiful gardens, high above the river. The most impressive element of this castle (other than its never beaten fort structure) was the tapestries which are the oldest in the world and are huge in size - telling the story of Apocalypse from the Book of Revelation. I've included an image below (we couldn't take flash photos inside and the room is very dark to protect the colours).
The students then enjoyed a picnic lunch together and explored the streets and shops of Angers until late afternoon before returning to Le Mans.
The students then enjoyed a picnic lunch together and explored the streets and shops of Angers until late afternoon before returning to Le Mans.
DAY 3 LYCEE NOTRE DAME - WednESDAY 30 SEPT
This morning the students were given a challenge questionnaire - where they were to go to the fresh food market and find out a little more about the local produce (and practice their French). They were quick to find the bread stall, which soon sold out of pain de chocolat but they also enjoyed a picnic of fresh raspberries, strawberries and rillettes with baguettes in the sunshine once they had completed the questions. With a trash and treasure stall, there were also a few treasures found for bargain prices.
At midday the students returned to school to join their exchanges going home - a half school day every Wednesday! Some of the students were getting together in the afternoon to go ice skating. Tomorrow we are off to Angers for a full day excursion.
Thank you for the messages, I will pass them on if they are not tracking the blog.
The last photo is the statue for the Le Mans car race and is surrounded by plaques of past winners.
At midday the students returned to school to join their exchanges going home - a half school day every Wednesday! Some of the students were getting together in the afternoon to go ice skating. Tomorrow we are off to Angers for a full day excursion.
Thank you for the messages, I will pass them on if they are not tracking the blog.
The last photo is the statue for the Le Mans car race and is surrounded by plaques of past winners.
Day 2 LYCEE NOTRE DAME - TuesDAY 29 SEPT
Today the students were put to work - with most of them giving their Australian presentations on everything from food to sport to school life, to 2 or more English classes throughout the day. They coupled this with little quizzes and gave away lots of Australian souvenirs like pencils and koalas.
Jackson is unlikely to forget the day, as it was his birthday and he was sung to in most of his classes (much to his embarrassment). There are a few suffering from mild colds, perhaps from being a little tired, but spirits are still high and their host families are very attentive.
Jackson is unlikely to forget the day, as it was his birthday and he was sung to in most of his classes (much to his embarrassment). There are a few suffering from mild colds, perhaps from being a little tired, but spirits are still high and their host families are very attentive.
Day 1 LycEe notre Dame - Monday 28 Sept
The arrival at school was like a 10year reunion as the students rushed to share stories and indulge in some English conversation. We were met by the headmistress who showed us a video of the school and took us on a tour of the facilities. The students were very impressed by the Chapel.
They then went off to classes and the first 6 students delivered their presentations to the English classes. As expected, the vegemite tasting was amusing and Tim Tam's well received. One of the presentations was on school life in Australia and the French were very envious of the 3.30pm finish as they have classes from 8am to 6pm! Another asked if all our boys were tall, blonde and blue eyed!
After the morning classes we all had lunch French style at the cafeteria which offers 3 courses, including two choices of hot main course and several desserts such as chocolate mousse.
They then went off to classes and the first 6 students delivered their presentations to the English classes. As expected, the vegemite tasting was amusing and Tim Tam's well received. One of the presentations was on school life in Australia and the French were very envious of the 3.30pm finish as they have classes from 8am to 6pm! Another asked if all our boys were tall, blonde and blue eyed!
After the morning classes we all had lunch French style at the cafeteria which offers 3 courses, including two choices of hot main course and several desserts such as chocolate mousse.
After lunch the Radford students met and walked to the town hall where we were officially welcomed to the city. James & Sophie delivered a thank you message (in French) and then there were some refreshments (coke, in case you were wondering about the wine glasses). We then toured the old city and Cathedral which has considerable history including being the birth place of King Henry II.
The Weekend
The students were with their host families for the weekend and enjoyed traditional food (eg a Galette, or savoury pancake, on right below) and were taken to various local tourist destinations. Many went to Mont St Michel and enjoyed the medieval streets and Abbey (not so much all the steps!) which is surrounded by water except at low tide.
Arrival at Le Mans - Friday 25 Sept
After lots of anticipation and last minute practice of their 'survival' phrases, they arrived to an equally excited crowd, complete with a welcome banner. The students met their exchanges and families and tried out their language skills, although nerves got the better of some who were so excited they temporarily forgot to speak. There were lots of smiles and laughter as they packed their luggage in the cars and farewelled the other Radford students who they most likely will not see until Monday at school.
Thank you for the messages, the students who have wifi have seen them and I'll share with the rest on Monday.
Thank you for the messages, the students who have wifi have seen them and I'll share with the rest on Monday.
ENROUTE TO LE MANS - FRIDAY 25 SEPT
Lunch stop at Chartres, which has a enormous and beautiful Cathedral (I couldn't fit it into one image no matter how far I moved back). Lots of chocolat, boulangerie and macarons on offer in the narrow cobbled streets of the old town.
Last Morning in Paris - Friday 25 Sept
With an hour or so to wait before the bus arrived we ventured out to a local market area abundant in food of all kinds. (The Escargot image is from the day before, courtesy of Jackson who is diligently keeping a visual food diary for his Food Studies class)
Last Night in Paris - Thursday 24 Sept
A small group braved the intermittent rain to go out with Mme Pajot to see the Eiffel Tower at night. Although you can only see the yellow lights on it in this image it also literally shimmers in blue sparkled lights; very spectacular and worth the 30 minute walk.
Day 2 Paris - Thursday 24 Sept
Today we ventured out early to the magnificent Louvre. Student groups took turns to navigate the Metro maps and lead the group and despite some initial reluctance got the hang of it quickly. We all visited the Mona Lisa and then had some free time to explore. We then strolled the Seine to the Notre Dame and some tried the local delicacy of escargot and the less brave crepes with banana & nutella for lunch.
After lunch we travelled to the Champs Elysees and explored Paris's shopping high end district. After a photo stop and memorial service at the Arc de Triomphe we went to dinner. The weather turned for the trip home with a few sprinkles of rain but it didn't put off a small group from heading out with Mme Pajot to see the Eiffel Tower by night. Tomorrow we travel to Le Mans, arriving late, so there will not be another post until I have wifi access again. See the great group shots in the meantime and please add a message to our message board!
Mrs B
After lunch we travelled to the Champs Elysees and explored Paris's shopping high end district. After a photo stop and memorial service at the Arc de Triomphe we went to dinner. The weather turned for the trip home with a few sprinkles of rain but it didn't put off a small group from heading out with Mme Pajot to see the Eiffel Tower by night. Tomorrow we travel to Le Mans, arriving late, so there will not be another post until I have wifi access again. See the great group shots in the meantime and please add a message to our message board!
Mrs B
Day 1 Paris - Wednesday 23 Sept
An early start this morning had us on the Metro and at the Eiffel Tower before the big crowds hit. Some walked up the steps and some took the elevator, but we all enjoyed spectacular views thanks to the gorgeous weather. After, we joined out lunch cruise on the Seine and were impressed by the entertainment, food and sites on offer. A bit braver with the Metro we then travelled to Montmarte. The dozens of steps to the Sacre Coeur walked off a little of the 3 course lunch. We then enjoyed some time walking among the many artists. For dinner we ate across from the Notre Dame at a casual restaurant 'Le Hippotomas'. A little weary, but very chirpy still, we arrived back at the hotel around 9.30pm. Mrs B
First Night Dinner - Le Volcan
After a much needed shower we headed out through the cobbled streets to our restaurant 'Le Volcan'. The weather held off, as you can see, and spared us the forecast rain. A lovely dinner, finished with a molten chocolate cake and cream anglaise. Yum! Tomorrow we are up early to cram in the sights of Paris including the Eiffel Tower and lunch cruise on the Seine. Mrs B
We Have Arrived! - TuesDay 5.30pm (Paris Time)
After a long journey we are safely at our hotel, freshening up before dinner. Everyone is very excited to try out their language skills.
We will add some more photos later tonight, but given the amount of images taken already, I suspect you already have some!
Mrs Braithwaite
We will add some more photos later tonight, but given the amount of images taken already, I suspect you already have some!
Mrs Braithwaite