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The 2010 Brayton expedition to Northern France set off successfully in the early hours of Monday morning, as parents waved us off at 2.00am from the school car park. A mere 14 hours later, we stepped into glorious sunshine at the lovely Chateau Beamont. French motorways and services still shine by comparison with most experiences in the UK and the 37 student travellers had an excellent journey via the Eurotunnel with a couple of pleasant rests. Lots of naps seemed the order of the trip but one or two seemed to manage on just 5minutes sleep and talked for the other 13h 55min!! No names mentioned. We got on with speaking French right away, even if it was to buy expensive versions of 'familiar label' drinks in the shop!
After a tour and a safety talk at the chateau, our first meal was a hearty Chicken Pie - no names on who had seconds - and then on to a treasure hunt around the chateau grounds. After celebrating the winners it was hot chocolate - but it had to be ordered in French - and off to bed at 10.30. Everyone settled down, you can picture some differences between staff attitudes to bedtime and students approach to their dorms, but actually, no fuss and no upset tummies and we all had a good night's sleep.
Baguettes, croissant and cereal in the morning and then off to the Marche at Laval. Really, really French this market and without all the clutter of some big town markets in the summer. We discovered lots about l'apiculteur, with an incredibly patient lady who helped and encouraged good French by adding the occasional bit of English...and she sold lots of honey and beeswax candles as a result. The creperie did a roaring trade, again all ordered in good style even if some might have been panicking a bit and ordering the simple version so they didn't have to say anything too complicated. Interesting then, to compare the hypermarche (we went to a Carrefour) with the little town market - range, prices and brands - and then go to a lovely picnic area by a river in Chailland, not far from the Chateau.
This afternoon we are on the Tyrolienne (zipwire), L'escrime (fencing) and le course obstacle (no translation). Basketball has become the game of choice in free time and still plenty of sunshine. Blind Date entertainment tonight and then off to Mont St Michel tomorrow afternoon.
Time has flown by, it is already Thursday and the group were up and ready leave the chateau at 6 am (Thats 5 back home). We are halfway to Paris now and after a good breakfast are hoping for good traffic around the capital.
Yesterday involed Archery, climbing and aeroball...that weird mixture of trampoline and basketball. We spent the afternoon at Mont St Michel in glorius sunshine before dressing up Frenchstyle for frogslegs and snails! Squeals galore and some takers for seconds. Rumours that the main meal was horse flew out of the window when the turkey casserole arrived. Then we had our Frech night quiz and fashion show...what a spectacle. Some great outfits and finally a disco...Solja Boyz rules (Still) at Chateau B. More later if the tec holds up. |
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