Exchange Gramat - Thornden School: 2017

Thursday, 25 May 2017

A big thank you

A final message from Mrs Newton, Mrs Jones and Miss Roadnight:

We would like to say a huge thank you to all of our lovely Year 9 pupils who accompanied us on the French Exchange. It was great fun to spend the week with you, and we hope that you will always look back on the experience with fondness.

Thank you also to all of the parents who hosted so perfectly back in March and helped to ensure that the first leg of the Exchange was such a success. Many French parents came to thank us for the brilliant time that their children had in England, which is a direct result of the time, care and attention that you gave to this project. Our profuse thanks xxx

Wednesday, 24 May 2017

We've landed!

We've landed at Southampton airport and are currently making our way through passport control to collect our luggage.

See you all very soon!

Flight BE3644

Owing to extra security checks after the Manchester terrorist attack our flight is delayed.

We are now due to take off at 15.00. Please google the above flight number to monitor our progress. Whilst we are expected to make up time during the flight we'd hate you to have to remortgage your house just to afford the car park!

See you all soon.

The final farewell

We have said our goodbyes and are headed to the airport for our return journey. There were lots of smiles, thanks and tears as well as we said au revoir to parents and partners alike.

A huge thank you to all the families who have hosted us and we hope that some lasting friendships have been cemented here in Gramat.

Tuesday, 23 May 2017

A farewell gathering

This evening's gathering began with another round of 'The Interbational playground games'- this time a version of handball before a team photo!

We are now meeting with the French families, who have been kind enough to host us, for a farewell buffet with many wonderful dishes provided by the families themselves.

A Martel train ride

We boarded the steam train at Martel station and were taken on a ride along the cliff tops.

The train ride took us on a round trip with some picturesque views of Martel (famous for it's seven towers) and the valley down below!

Martel

We have arrived in Martel in time for a second picnic before riding the train along the cliff tops.

Supermarket Sweep!

On the way back to Martel we stopped at the supermarket for some last minute souvenir (read sweets) shopping!

Gouffre de Padirac

We arrived at Padirac and saw the huge abyss into which we were about to descend.

With some massive displays of bravery and many fears overcome we descended 568 steps and found the underground river in the caves at Padirac.

We followed the winding paths into the caves, admiring the amazing stalagmites and stalactites as well as the crystal clear lakes and waterfalls.

568 steps, or a lift later, we emerged into the daylight (alas there is no sun yet!) and are eating our picnics in the park before heading off to a supermarket for a spot of last minute shopping!