Paris-Normandy 2006

Arrived in a foggy Dover!

We've just left Dover, thumping back up the motorway. In nine hours we will arrive back the Grammar, some time between 5am-6am - we'll call on the mobiles to let you know when a little better. So, despite a small delay with the ferry, we're on schedule.

We are a little sad to be coming home, especially after the past two days of memories. Here are some impressions:

Claire says one of the best things was the view from the Eiffel Tower and the theme park.

Scott:
Snails are not that bad – they taste like garlic mushrooms. When you get them out of the shell.

Alastair
The view from the Eiffel Tower was excellent.

Fiona
The good thing about the Eiffel Tower was that you started off daylight and then when we left it was nighttime.

Glenn
The boat trip was good because you shouted hello and waved at people as the boat passed under the bridges in Paris.

Micha
Hi family, having a great time here. Did loads of fun stuff. Missing you loads. Loved Parc Asterix and went on all the rides.

Melissa
Although it rained a lot it was a very fun trip. Everybody got on well and the hotel was lovely.

Laura
Parc Ast4erix was great and the loop the loop was excellent. I went on it twice. I love looking French with my new beret.

Lewis
Hi mum – had a good time. Am coming home now so see you soon. Paris was loads of fun.

Emma
Hi to all my friends. Parc Asterix was really good. The Eiffel Tower was amazing. I thought it would be smaller than it was.

Parc Aste-risks

I've completely lost my voice after a tremendous day at Parc Asterix. The weather held out, thankfully, and it was perfect for being outdoors. But I have lost my voice, certainly not down to our students, but down to my non-stop screaming as Goudurix flung us around at 100km per hour. There was also a wooden rollercoaster that managed to separate every bone in my body. But what a great fun end to a week where the students saw tonnes of things France has to offer.

We finished last night with the annual French trip prizegiving. Not sure everyone understood why they had got their particular accolades, but maybe with time they'll understand why. The kids have been fantastic in this trip and a real credit to their school, to their town and to their country.

This morning we will finish up by packing up the coach, going on a quick walk around Montmartre, see the beautiful Sacre Coeur and then head off back towards Calais. After all, is there not some more shopping to be done...
                    Miss Leroux

On top of the world!

We are right at the top of the Eiffel Tower - and what a sight!! Paris lies before us twinkling as the sun went down about 10 minutes ago. It's really noisy and we are about to go back down to the bottom - this is being texted to the blog. Time to get counting those heads... Spirits are high, especially since we're off to Parc Asterix tomorrow. Wish us bon courage for those rides!

If we're not posting, we must be busy...

Sorry for not posting so much, but that's what Paris does to you. We'll update on what happened today in the next post. Getting set to go up the Eiffel Tower tonight and the weather looks like it might hold out - there'll be some fantastic sunset photos from the top of the tower, hopefully. Cross your fingers. Off to dinner now, bus to the Tower, and a post on today and last night's action later on. We can't believe how quickly time is passing. Tomorrow is Parc Astérix and then that's it :-(

We're only happy when it's raining

Why is it that every time we step outdoors it rains? Well, it's not really that bad. We made it to Paris today despite the long delays in the famous (infamous?) embouteillages. We were due to stop in Rouen for lunch but with the delays the coach driver didn't think it'd be possible. So, instead, we pounded on to Paris. I'm texting this from the Beateau Mouche where we are currently making it through a reasonably bright spell. Let's cross our fingers it lasts.

The Seine is beautiful and gives an amazing first image of Paris. The Louvre (of Da Vinci Code fame - by the way, what's the film like?), the sister museum - the musée d'Orsay, the expensive appartments of the Ile St Louis... This boat trip is clearly the way to get to know Paris.

Sorry for the lack of posts in this last little while. Things have been very busy. But tomorrow is the big day of visits in Paris (including one to the world's biggest perfume shop on the Champs Elysée). It's also tomorrow that we might get a chance to spy the Mona Lisa. It's a shame they couldn't bring out the film before we had gone, and we might have been able to reinact the opening scenes!

Tant pis! Au revoir pour le moment. Plus de reportages plus tard!
Miss Leroux.

Joyeux anniversaire!

Every trip we have at least one birthday. Tonight it was Miss Watson's turn. Joyeux anniversaire!!!! We'll all be celebrating her happy day with fancy dress in an hour or so. Vivement le weekend!

Il pleut, mais ça va...

Well, we've not had the 36 degrees and clear sunshine we had hoped for. Indeed, il pleut quite a bit. But despite all that things have been going really well now that they journey is behind us. Today we headed towards the coast and saw the amazing Mont St Michel (pictured) - a whole town and abbey stuck in a sea of sand. This was the first time really that many of us had a chance to use that French for essential survival - crêpes! In the afternoon we went further along the coast to St Malo for a walk along the medieval streets. Here's what everyone else had to say:

Daniel
Hi mum and dad. I liked going up the top of the Mont St Michel. I loved the crepes and I asked for it in French.

Rowan
Hi mum and dad. The journeyg was quite tiring but it;’s OK now. I liked the new food that I tried. Tomorrow we have a match Scotland versus England. There’s a school in the chateau that comes from England and we’re going top play rugby with them. We are anticipating victory,

Glenn
Enjoying playing pool. The food is alright.

Michael
Hi! Having a great time.

Sean
Hi mum. My roommates are good. We’re going to the Bayeux market tomorrow. I’ll try to get you something nice from here.

Colin
I loved the chocolate crepes. The Mont St Michel was nice, the rooms are nice, the food is OK.

Stacey
Hello 2M2. I’,m loving meeting new folks. The travelling is great and I loved ordering food in French.

Emma
It’s good to share a room with your pals and meeting new people.

Lisa
I’m looking forweard to going to Paris to the top of the Eiffel Tower

Carly
Looking forward to going on the big rides at the theme park.

Robyn
Missing you lots. Send you a postcard. Lots of love, Robyn.

Sophie
Today we went to Mont St Michel. It rocked! Hey mum – tilly, Miccy, suzie. Food is brill!

Samantha
Hey mum. I’m having a brill time!

Micha
Hi family! Having a great time. Although the weather could be better. Missing you all. Love ya loads!

Heading off over the ocean

Well, the English Channel at least. After a relatively quiet and easy trip down to Dover we've met up with our driver for the rest of the trip. Having left you all back home in the rain and gloom of a wet Wednesday night in Musselburgh we arrived in Dover this morning to a beautiful, bright sunrise against the cliffs. We're getting a slightly later boat than expected (7.55am) but will not have too much of a delay in getting to the Château this afternoon.     Miss. Leroux.

Ils sont partis!

Tears, tears and some cheers, too, as everyone left this evening in the pouring rain. Let's just hope we're off to warmer climes. Very nice coach, very comfortable. It's that red coach we've seen parked in Bayeux on previous trips and dreamed of having for ourselves ;-)