THURSDAY 15 October, evening of departure
Drama No. 1. Donovan goes down with flu. Kingston-Jones springs from the bench as late replacement. K-J senior dashes across from Shropshire with passport at 10 p.m. Several coughs and colds while in Paris, luckily nothing too serious.
FRIDAY 16 October, day of departure
Drama No. 2. Bushby fails to wake up, does not appear at minibus. Has thoughtfully also turned off his mobile telephone. Eventually raised by Housemate Flight screaming “Paris!” through study window. Disaster averted. Minibus to Derby station. All very smooth to St Pancras and Eurostar.
Arrive Paris. Drop off cases at hotel. Within half an hour are off to Montmartre. Drinks all round in small café, then race up steps and visit Sacré Coeur. First evening pretty chilly but sun comes out revealing panoramic view of Paris in beautiful sunshine from the top. Dinner nearby. Pupils encouraged to choose authentic “formule” option. Some insist on eating pizza. Chacun à son goût....
SATURDAY 17 October
Visit Notre Dame. Several pupils claim fear of heights. Mrs Blain insists, though, and they manage to climb tower, get glimpse of huge bell and hear stories of Esmeralda and Quasimodo! Fab views - perfect weather. Meet OR Kate Rotheroe afterwards - now in Nantes doing year out as assistante, up for weekend with pal to Paris.
Walk along Seine to see bouquinistes, lunch in Tuileries. Whistle-stop tour of Louvre to see Winged Victory, Mona Lisa, Géricault's “Raft of the Medusa”, to name a few. Louvre crowded and oppressive, but all admire the majesty of the former palace.
On to the Orangerie. Most marvel at Monet's “Nymphéas”. Quick return to hotel, then off for dinner in St Michel - all sit out under heaters and have very jolly evening. Sixth Formers show outstanding sophistication and “savoir faire” by drinking coke, not wine, with dinner. When in France....
SUNDAY 18 October
Mr Sanderson accompanies splinter group outing to Roland Garros. Flight wishes to play on Centre Court there! Love it, though surprised by how small it all seems, compared to television.
Main party to Pompidou Centre. More amazing views, weird and wonderful things to look at. Reptonians impress with growing mastery of métro system.
To Eiffel Tower. Highlight at top was meeting Vince Vaughn with entourage of bodyguards! Mrs Blain and Mr Sanderson have never heard of him. Up to Champs de Mars, dinner with view of twinkling Eiffel Tower. 10 p.m. - trip on Seine by “bateau mouche”, which all love. Freezing cold but invigorating. Home late.
MONDAY 19 October
Père Lachaise cemetery. 160th anniversary of Chopin's death, so flowers abound. Sight of Edith Piaf’s tomb prompts fond reminiscences of Mr Stones’s legendary lessons on the French chanteuse.
Thence to Champs Elysees and Arc de Triomphe, where initial outbreak of retail therapy happens. Then to Opéra, Galeries Lafayette and more exciting opportunities for “le shopping”. Highlight of day, though, is dinner at Chartier's. Fab French evening, best meal, mixing with locals. Do that again.
TUESDAY 20 October
Leave luggage at hotel, go to Musée d'Orsay. Rather late start as older pupils have been on “cultural investigations” with Mr Sanderson the previous evening. The party’s favourite museum, well worth queueing. Sit-down lunch in brasserie. Couple of hours left, time to view Napoléon's tomb in Les Invalides - another hit!
Special treat at Gare du Nord - Häagen-Dazs “glaces” all round before 18.13 Eurostar to St Pancras. Mrs Blain and Mr Sanderson asleep in seconds. Pupils attach iPods for the journey.
Back to general galleries