PARENTS
PUPILS
COMMUNITY
TEACHERS

On June 18th we will set off with 70 children and 11 adults for Granville in Normandy, France.

Details of each day's events can be found below along with a gallery of photos taken that day.

There are some audio and video clips appearing. Keep checking for new material!

Ellie on going to France Ben on going to France

After leaving at 6:38 we made good progress to the tunnel terminal where we stopped for a comfort break and some fresh air. After a 35 minute journey through the tunnel, we then headed towards the Baie de Somme services for our lunch break. We ate well (particularly Mr A and Mr M!). The weather was light cloud and this enabled us to eat outside on the decking area by the canal in relative comfort. In the canal were some carp and some ducks with their ducklings. The views from the tower were quite clear today and the climb helped us to burn off some of that excess energy.

After stopping for an hour we then headed off again for the journey to Bayeux. On the way we crossed the Pont du Normandie a spectacular and exciting bridge. On arrival at Bayeux we were shown a new 16 minute film about the tapestry before moving on to the tapestry itself.

Felix has a birthday greeting for his dad.

9:18 - We have had breakfast and are now inspecting the rooms. A good night with most children sleeping in a little.

The girls arose first this morning with some on the go from 6:15 am! The boys rose slightly later and we all breakfasted at around 8:00am. After this the children returned to their rooms for the morning room inspection. Mr Munson and Mr Pistone inspected the 1 st floor and Mrs Simons, Small and Miss Wright inspecting the 2 nd floor.

Coach B (6NMn/WSs and 6RGd) then left at 9:30 for the trip to Surtainville. The journey lasted approximately an hour through some very picturesque villages and countryside. The coach then arrived at the village. After meeting their pen friends and exchanging a few gifts, the children then walked through the village to a picnic area for a fabulous picnic lunch. All ate well. A lovely walk followed and then the children arrived at a glorious beach for some relaxation. The children then walked back to the school for a fond farewell and the drive home.

Coach B (6DWt and 6MSl) arrived at the school in Granville and met their pen pals. They then exchanged gifts and conversed as best they could. The children then split in to two classes and a French/English game of Pictionary started. This was very competitive but fun for both sets of children. A walk through to Granville FC stadium bought us to where we would eat our picnic lunch. In the afternoon some other school children joined us for some inclusive sports and all concerned had great fun.

9:50 - Having had a blustery night the children were mostly woken at 7:45 for breakfast. After a room inspection we then went to the classroom for some diary work. Later this morning we will visit the hypermarche and perhaps, if time, a walk through the town. The weather is blustery so we await to see whether it will calm enough fo us to sail this afternoon.

We walked through the town and had to identify particular shops that appear in the booklet. After this we had a pleasant lunch overlooking the bay. The decision was made that we could sail although the start was delayed by an hour to allow the wind to die down.

Coach B sailed first in the now familiar way of Mother duck and ducklings. Those that did not sail enjoyed rock pooling in the bay. After a 2 hour session we swapped over and Coach A sailed.

We then had a hearty evening meal followed by room inspection and meeting where we celebrated Harry's birthday. Finally earlier to bed as we have an early start tomorrow for the walk to Mont St Michel.

Today is the longest day of the year and we celebrated this by getting up at 6:30 am for a 7 am breakfast. Due to the tides this year we had to start the walk at 8:30 am. We made the start ok and with our guide Bertrand we began the 7km 2 hour walk. We crossed about 5 rivers today and the children experienced some moving quick sand. Lunch was satisfying when we reached Mont St Michel after having washed our feet and toileted! Mr Ayling achieved a full stomach for the second time this week!

After eating we then began the walk up through the Mont. We walk up the ramparts and down through the main street. The Abbey at the top was inspiring as usual and the views were good. The tide was coming in behind us as we walked. When we at the top the tide had surrounded the tombelaine rock which is actually larger than Mont St Michel itself and enroute on the walk.

After we had returned to the coaches who had driven round to meet us we had a lovely slice of cake and drink of orange juice. We then drove back to Granville where it had started to rain. All children then showered and wrote up diaries. They are now (5:15 pm) in the bar area playing games and relaxing. we will eat at 7:00pm and then we will walk up through the town for the annual Fete de la Musique. It is a musical extravaganza which takes place each year only on Mid Summers day. Lots of bands are playing in various places around the town.

After a good nights sleep we arose for breakfast at 8:00am. Mr Munson and Mr Ayling woke at 7:45 and were still high up the queue! After breakfast we cleared our rooms and finished packing. The coach was loaded. As we had some time free we again walked around the marina and along the harbour wall for a view back towards town. We said our final farewells and then set off at 10:30 am. We are heading for Caen and the Memorial museum there dedicated to the Normandy landings and the futility of war. Mr A writes this on the coach journey there.

After arriving at around midday we lunched in one of the covered rooms as the weather looked like rain was iminent. We then went in to the museum and explored the exhibits. We watched a film on D Day showing both the Allied and Axis perspectives. A short visit to the memorial gardens was also a good experience for the children. We left at 3:30pm for the drive up to Calais and the trip home.

We stopped outside of Calais for a quick snack of some hot authentic French food (McDonalds). We then continued to the terminal and was able to secure an earlier crossing. After a good drive back from Kent we arrived at Greenway at 10:00pm. All home safe and well.