Amanda's French Blog - Fonthill Lodge's French Exchange Trip to Lille

7.00am - Saturday, 13 March 2010

Woke to bad news yesterday - Lille beat Liverpool which has put M. Degand in a very good mood. They only lost 1-0 but you think it was 10-0 by the headlines!

Off to Musee du Terroir this morning where children learn about life in this part of France in the 19th Century. Then back to school for a break before we sing Vois sur ton chemin to the French. This is a song we have learnt from a very famous Oscar nominated film - the children sing beautifully - really proud of them! The French are really impressed! Get your tickets for the Spring Concert now!

We have lunch and then an afternoon of sport - which some of us hardly have the energy for. Then it is back to the families and bowling!

I manage some shopping but hardly have any time and fail to find the colour of the handbag I wanted!

Ready now for the rendez vous at Ecole Saint Pierre in an hour for the return journey - hopefully no snow in the tunnel or strikes!

10.00pm - Thursday, 11 March 2010

Bonsoir à tous !

The end of a very busy but lovely day! As predicted we were in the draughty playground at 0800h or 7am en Angleterre! It was wonderful to see all the children arrive! They love telling us stories of their evening and what they have been doing! Think there was a big table football competition – not sure if we won!

Were on the road by 0900h for the region of Picardie and the residence of Napoleon I and III! The chateau was very impressive and beautiful! We had a picnic then toured the grounds before visiting the car museum!

Back on coach about 3 to drive back to Lille. Lots of traffic bypass not only is Fonthill in Villeneuve d’Ascq but so are LIVERPOOL – playing Lille! Score will be interesting……M. Degand is sure Lille will win! (Ed's Note: and they did - 1-0)

Children all disappeared very happily tonight- off to spend their Euros.

I am so amazed at the wonderful and warm welcome are pupils are receiving! Have already had many compliments from the families and they are going to great lengths to do everything possible to make this a fantastic experience for our children, treating them as if they are their own!

Must go – think I deserve a small glass of grape juice now! Will try to do a blog tomorrow but have another mission – that handbag!

And by the way Dr. W has spoken lots of French today!

10.00pm - Wednesday, 10 March 2010

Bonjour or Bonsoir de Lille.

So far so good. The first day has gone really well. We arrived in Calais on schedule and decided to park at en Aire en route for our pique nique - my idea, BAD idea, VERY windy! Soon took cover again in the coach.

An hour later we were at our rendez-vous with M. Degand in front of the Mairie. Walked through Lille - lots of admiring glances from passers-by of our school uniform - people even stopped to watch the children walk by!

Drinks in cafe - all ordered in French - then coach back to school for a very warm welcome by families! Seeing very excited children - both French and English - makes all the paperwork worth it! Within minutes the boys have found a football and the girls are talking about Hannah Montana!

The French hosts are really lovely and have already adopted our children - looking after them as if they are their own. They all went off tonight dragging their suitcases very happily.

Finally, I have to report that Dr Willcocks hasn't spoken any French yet but I have decided on the colour of this year's handbag!

Napoleon demain! Bonne Nuit!

6.45am - Wednesday, 10 March 2010

With just 2 hours to go the first thing I do is check the news to see if there are any French strikes!

A few years ago, when I was on an Art / French trip to Paris, the museum staff were on strike because they had to pay for their lunches! Made our trip rather difficile when we couldn't go to the Musee d'Orsay or the Louvre because the French were arguing over who would pay for their frites!

Second thing I do is check the weather- looks OK! -'possibilty of a bit of drizzle' better than la heavy neige!

I will be very relieved when we are on our way.

I come from a long line of teachers who have taken children abroad. My mum- now retired -took her school to Brittany from Guernsey every year across the vast ocean to St. Malo on a hydrofoil. The seas can be RATHER choppy to say the least around the Channel Islands. One return trip she only had 2 children out of thirty who weren't sick. I will save the story of my Grandfather's trip to the Rome Olympics for another BLOG as I really must go and check MY passport and EHI card!!!

A bientot!

Tuesday, 9th March 2010

Just one more week and I will cease waking up at 3am thinking of things I need to do for the trip!! It always amazes me how quickly the year spins by and here we are again just about to depart with 28 nervous, excited charges. What they don’t realise is that I am nervous and excited too!

Things I look forward to about the French Trip:
  • Children rushing up to me and asking how you say something in French or English depending on their nationalities.
  • Seeing our kids on the morning after their first night desperate to tell us about their initial experiences with their new French friends.
  • Dr Willcock's French!
  • Seeing our French colleagues again and winding them up about the rugby and Carla - is this a good idea this year?
  • Le Vin!
  • Shopping to buy a new Longchamp handbag - great colours - get one every year as my treat to myself! Trouble is the Euro is not so good against the Pound these days.  

Things I don't look forward to about the trip:
  • Leaving my husband and son behind.
  • Weighing myself when I get home – I just can’t resist la patisserie et le fromage and it would be rude not to accept the offer of wine in France.
  • Dr. Willcock’s French!
  • Standing in the draughty French playground at 8am French time – 7am OURS!!!
  • Being wound up by the French about Gordon Brown.
  • Fish on Fridays – Catholic school they always serve it!

24 hours to go!