Year 6 residential to France 2019
MONDAY
After a long and relatively uneventful journey we finally arrived at our PGL destination around 5pm GMT. The coach was extremely quiet for the first hour (with a few snores emanating from a few of the children and adults!!). After which the DVD went on and quiet was off a different kind. A brief breakfast stop was welcome before heading to the tunnel and an under the sea crossing to Calais. We did make good time despite the heavy Paris ring road traffic to Le Chateau Grande Romaine.
Happily we all headed to the rooms in Seine block before a quick run around and then dinner. A beautiful sunset was the backdrop for our first Evening activity of Snapshot. The children ran around the grounds of the chateau finding different items. Exhausted and sleepily the children were glad to be off to their rooms and readied themselves for some shut eye.
Looking forward to tomorrow's adventures and activities.
TUESDAY
Good morning Almondsbury! We were all up and ready for breakfast at 08:00 and then headed out for our town trail and market place shopping in Brie Comte Robert. We were eager to try out some of our French and spend our euros! Then a quick 10 minute journey took us to the massive Carre Four super market! Wow! We have never seen so many delicious pastries and gateaux!
After returning to the chateau for some lunch, we participated in our group activities of abseiling, wall climbing archery and team building problem solving activities. Records were broken and everyone had a great time in the sunshine. Quite a few reached the top of the climbing tower to ring the bell, including Mrs Vicary and Mr Smith.
Our final trip for the day was to the snail farm where Phillipe enthralled us with facts about snails…in French! Thankfully our PGL leaders Kelly and Morgan were there to help translate. And now we are finally ready for bed. Bon nuit! Love Y6. Xx (Photos now in folders but taking a very long time to load so only a few at a time due to the time it takes)
WEDNESDAY
It was an early rise this morning (06.30) as we prepared for our journey into Paris. We had our yummy breakfast of croissants and pain au chocolat and set of for the city of armour. Once we fought our way through the crazy Parisian drivers, the Eiffel Tower loomed in front of us. It was amazing! We passed successfully through security and climbed the 700 steps to the second level. We were all so impressed with the views. Everyone, even those who were afraid of heights managed to climb and descend the stairs. Some of the children offered assistance to those who were slightly afraid. We were very proud of them.
The Musee d’Orsay was our next stop where Mr Smith regaled us with facts about the statues and paints. Then we journeyed lazily down the Seine on a Bateaux Parisiene taking in such sites as the Grande Palace, Assemblee Nationale and of course Notre Dame. It was so sad to see the damage from the fire, but at least it is still standing. A final quick coach ride around the Arc de Triomphe and down the Champs Elysees, and then we headed back to the Chateau for our dinner and Superhero fashion show. (Really sorry, due to technical difficulties the photographs are not loading onto the website. Mr Smith will upload these on Saturday morning from home)
THURSDAY
What a beautiful day to be having a Disney adventure. With huge excitment and anticipation we headed towards the gate of the park. Despite the busyness, we wandered up Main Street and took group photos in front of the castle. From there, we headed towards our first ride - Dumbo, then the carousel, spinning teac cups and the wondeful It's a Small World.
Then on to the more daring rides of Star Tours, Hyperspace Mountain, which was a real hit with so many of the Year 6's and Buzz Lightyears lazer quest. Lunch time beckoned before going to the Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean and our all time favourite (the teaching staff that is) Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. We had time to return to Hyperspace Mountain and Buzz's ride.
It was then time to take our spaces to watch the main character parade and our final act of the day to visit to the shop. It had been a wonderful day and so memorable. We'll all hope to be back soon.
Back at the chateau it was l'escargot for dinner and an early birthday cake for Ellie May. Then packing our cases for home.
FRIDAY
The stay at the chateau had finally come to an end. We all trundled our cases onto the coach and off to Lachelle chocolate factory. That was a real treat to see how the chocolates are made from cocoa beans to the shelves. The aromas were delicious as where the samples we all tasted. After a visit to the shop, it was onto the coach for our final leg of the journey via the Eurotunnel and back to Almondsbury on time!
It had been a fantastic week, with such polite and well behaved children. Have a restful weekend all!