On Saturday the 15th June 2002, we flew from STANSTED direct to Nîmes to arrive two hours later in the small airport ,where all the partners were eagerly expecting us. The French party had been visiting us in Saffron Walden only in May, so all were very eager to see each other again.
The rest of the week-end was spent in families, and we all met again at the Collège La Révolution on the Monday morning, really early since the school day starts at eight O'clock French time. Click here to see their website
The day was a lovely trip out to the Camargue with a morning stop at AIGUES MORTES. The traditional photo stop at the foot of the town walls was made. A major disappointment this year was not to be able to go horseriding as, on that particular day, all the horses were booked for an annual horseshow event in Les Saintes Maries de la MER. Instead, we relaxed on a boat trip on the Canal du Midi to spot the flamingoes and the bulls of the Camargue. All were looking forward to seeing the Mediterranean in the sea resort of LES SAINTES MARIES DE LA MER. The water was warm, to the feet only, since swimming permission could not be given to the group. However, the beach was a great treat after the weather we had left in England and the resort had truly a holiday feel.
The following day was a joint day out, when all French partners were accompanying us to MONTPELLIER, a major city close to Nîmes where you can also fly direct from Stansted. We first had a morning stop at the beach of PALAVAS LES FLOTS, a beautifully quiet sea resort on that day, and we visited MAGUELONE a protected site almost at sea, with a beautiful ROMAN Cathedral. The minitrain was a welcome amusement on our return to the coach. MONTPELLIER was most enjoyed by all.
On the Wednesday, we went to the school which is situated right in the center of NÎMES and we visited the arenas and the magnificent Jardins de la Fontaine. Going around the arenas will very quickly give you a thirst, so we stopped at a café terrace before returning to the school to meet all our French partners. They go home for lunch and have no school on the Wednesday afternoon! Some of us went shopping, or followed their partner on a sportive activity. It was very hot indeed and a lot of us spent the afternoon in the sea or a swimming pool!
On Thursday the 20th June, we had an other coach outing to the PROVENCE to visit the village of LES BAUX perched on a rock. The castle was visited in the morning with the usual photos taken on the trebuchet. It had been wisely planned to visit the CATHEDRALE D'IMAGES in the heat of the day. This is a most unusual place cut in the rock, where images are projected on the flat rock faces to the sound of music to make a show of pictures and rythms. Our next stop en route, in BAUCAIRE, turned out to be most distressing for Madame Searle-Barnes as the heat put off everyone from seeing a very remarquable show with birds of prey and medieval costumes in the perfect setting of the castle. All ended up on the grass in the shade !
The last outing was extremely popular, although it was probably the hotest day of the week and of the summer I am told. The coach took us to UZÈS, where is situated the Haribo factory and museum. A quiz was quickly completed to get rewarded by the sweet packaging machine and stock up for our return to England and we stopped at the PONT DU GARD to paddle in the river Gard and admire the sights at the foot of the famous bridge.
Saturday was spent in families before our departure at the end of the day. At the airport we were all concerned by Kay's sunburnt face, and back and legs, but the flight took us all safely home in two hours.
WE WISH TO THANK ALL PARENTS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CHANNEL FOR THEIR COOPERATION AND THEIR CONTRIBUTION FOR TAKING A BIG PART IN MAKING THIS EXCHANGE MOST SUCCESSFUL. WE WILL HAVE LASTING MEMORIES OF OUR EXCHANGE DAYS AND WE HOPE TO KEEP IN TOUCH FOR FUTURE VISITS.
And a special thanks to Gisèle Searle-Barnes for organising the trip and to Caryn Pepper for accompanying the trip!
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