Monday: Our journey began with a visit to our pen-pals' school in Le Touquet. We played various games, which was great fun!
Tuesday: Our first full day at the pod village started with a visit to a traditional French goat farm. We met Dumbledore, a goat with a magnificent beard, and fed him and his friends. We also milked a goat and learned how the milk is turned into cheese. Towards the end, we saw some ferrets and rabbits - even the rabbits in France eat baguettes! Finally, we tasted some fresh goat cheese, which was delicious.
Wednesday: We travelled to Paris and took a ride on the famous Bateaux Mouche down the River Seine. We saw many French landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame and the Louvre. Afterwards, we drove around the Arc de Triomphe. Finally, we climbed 166 steps in 37-degree heat to the beautiful Basilique du Sacré-Coeur de Montmartre, where we enjoyed a stunning view of the Parisian skyline.
Thursday: We visited a typical French market where we bought baguettes and souvenirs. In the afternoon, we explored the underground city of Naours and saw graffiti dating back to WWI. The tunnels, 30 meters below the surface, were intricate and winding. We had to wear hard hats for protection, making us look like we were on a construction site.
Friday: We were fortunate to visit a French bakery, where a rather intimidating 'boulanger' taught us how to make croissants. Afterwards, we bought some lovely cakes and more baguettes from their shop, depriving the locals of their daily essentials.
Some of the highlights included the workers at the château (Giuseppe and Armand), the afternoon activities and the talent show, which was won by the Toe Walkers! We also enjoyed playing the murder mystery game throughout the trip.
By Rowan M, Max Z, and Will G
