Yesterday was such a busy day and evening that there read no time to blog but we want you to know that we have enjoyed ourselves and we are now on our way home. We will add links text and audio to this blog when we return. A bientôt! :-)
Friday, 13 June 2014
Wednesday, 11 June 2014
Mercredi 11 juin
Coach B
Happy birthday Maddie!
Early start.
First stop Bayeux, approaching via the Eisenhower memorial, we observed the incredible detail of the Bayeux tapestry whilst listening to an audio guide, then wandered into the town where each pupil (and teacher) asked for an ice cream in impeccable French.(Seriously, there were some lovely accents!)
Time to relax and consume whilst others shopped in the street market buying a wide variety of souvenirs.
Off to Arromanches for lunch on the cliff tops and a visit to the 360 degree cinema to view the story of '100 jours de la Bataille de Normandie'. A very moving film …, it was noticeable that as it ended, every single person was silent and moved out in a silent reflective mood.
A group photo (starring Graham, our much loved driver) and then a drive dropping down from the cliff tops of Arromanches to Gold Beach to Asnelles where we mixed science with French, learning about oyster production. Your son/daughter will be able to brief you in full about this and after their tasting, will be asking you to buy them for tea. They have been the main subject of conversation amongst the staff ever since.
Afterwards, afternoon tea at the top of the cliffs at Longues sur Mer - a gun battery taken by the Devonshire Regiment on 7th June. The detail of the rifling was still intact.
All back for dinner followed by a beautiful birthday cake in honour of Maddy's birthday.
Coach C Report
Started off at Trouville.. the pupils bought us our picnics
by speaking French with the vendors. We
ate our picnics on the beach - played splat on the beach, hosted by Mr
Tunmore. Then on to Pegasus Bridge where
we ordered our drinks from Madame Gondrée in the café which was the first house
liberated in France. A Veteran spoke to
one of our students about his experiences, and then agreed to pose with the whole
group.
Then to the museum for a tour and a film introduced by
Prince Charles. Then on to Ranville
cemetery where we found the grave of the parachutist who was buried with his
dog, both of whom died on 6th June.
Looked at the differences between the graves of the Belgian and German
graves, and placed stones on the Jewish graves.
All finished with another game in the park mixing with local French
children.
Tuesday, 10 June 2014
Nous sommes arrivés!
We have all arrived safely in France and the Study Visit is going well on all three coaches.
Here are a few of our impressions so far:
The programme is packed, but we will try to blog to you each evening, connection permitting!
Bonne nuit!
Here are a few of our impressions so far:
- The spirit of commemoration is everywhere - tourists, veterans, flags, military vehicles, wreaths, beautiful, lavish arrangements - making this very special. Veterans joined us in the presentation at Pegasus Bridge
- Well situated accommodation - right by the beach
- We were so impressed with the amount of French the pupils used after community repetition of phrases in the coach
- A highlight for some was the chance to meet with Monsieur le Maire of Merville - many more detials - keep an eye out for the articvle in Accent and the National press
- Our evening dinner bread was prepared by coach C at the 'Co-pain' organic bakery
The programme is packed, but we will try to blog to you each evening, connection permitting!
Bonne nuit!
Saturday, 7 June 2014
Débarquement : revivez la journée de commémoration du D-Day
This is such a special year to be visiting Normandy. It is highly likely that we will meet veterans at the D Day sites during our stay in Normandy, and we hope that we may be able to talk with them.
The radio station RTL has produced a simple pictorial chronology of the events of the 70th commemoration on 6th June 2014 here:
Voici la plaquette officielle du #DDay distibuée à la presse:
"Les jeunes générations doivent se souvenir qu'ici, 2 millions de soldats s'affronteront au milieu d'un million de civils", a déclaré François Hollande.
Thanks to Julian Whiting for sharing this site - a place to commemorate individuals who died in Normandy.
The radio station RTL has produced a simple pictorial chronology of the events of the 70th commemoration on 6th June 2014 here:
Voici la plaquette officielle du #DDay distibuée à la presse:
"Les jeunes générations doivent se souvenir qu'ici, 2 millions de soldats s'affronteront au milieu d'un million de civils", a déclaré François Hollande.
Thanks to Julian Whiting for sharing this site - a place to commemorate individuals who died in Normandy.
Escapade en Normandie - de très belles images sur Internet
La Normandie est très belle..... Paysages de cartes postales, monuments historiques, plages immaculées...
Regardez ce site pour une promenade dans ce petit coin charmant de la France. En images
Regardez ce site pour une promenade dans ce petit coin charmant de la France. En images
Wednesday, 4 June 2014
La batterie de Merville
We are staying in a village which was very important to the D-Day strategy.
See the site which gives information and pictures about La Batterie à Merville.
How much of this text can you understand?
See the site which gives information and pictures about La Batterie à Merville.
How much of this text can you understand?
La batterie de Merville c'était déjà :
- La seule portion du mur de l’Atlantique à avoir été visitée à trois reprises (6 mars, 6 mai et 27 mai 1944) par Rommel au cours du trimestre précédent le débarquement.
- Une forteresse dont la neutralisation immédiate a été fixée comme objectif vital et prioritaire du Jour J par le Haut commandement des forces alliées.
- Le bombardement le plus intense (plus de 1.000 bombes larguées par 109 Lancaster) de la nuit précédent le débarquement.
- Un plan de neutralisation complexe, une unité d’élite, un entraînement exceptionnel, une incroyable malchance, une épopée victorieuse mais tragique.
- L’inimaginable assaut au terme duquel la batterie est neutralisée par le 9ème bataillon des parachutistes Britanniques fort au départ de 700 hommes mais dont ne subsiste après les mauvais largages et les combats que l’effectif d’une compagnie.
- Un lieu de mémoire sur près de 10 hectares acquis par le Conservatoire du littoral, classé monument historique et géré conjointement par les Britanniques et les Français.
Regardez la télévision!
This is a very special year for commemorating the 70th anniversary of the D Day landings in Normandy.
Find a wide range of links from this page
Regardez la télévision ce week-end!
Please follow this link to see all the programmes and information provided by the BBC.
Find a wide range of links from this page
Regardez la télévision ce week-end!
Please follow this link to see all the programmes and information provided by the BBC.
Les plages du débarquement
The amphibious landings were preceded by extensive aerial and naval bombardment and an airborne assault—the landing of 24,000 British, US, and Canadian airborne troops shortly after midnight. Allied infantry and armoured divisions began landing on the coast of France starting at 06:30. The target 50-mile (80 km) stretch of the Normandy coast was divided into five sectors: Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword Beach. The Allies failed to achieve all of their goals on the first day, but gained a foothold that they gradually expanded over the coming months. Museums and memorials in the area host many visitors each year.
Le cimetière militaire de Ranville
Many of the soldiers killed in the actions of June 1944 are buried in the war cemetery at Ranville. Lt. Brotheridge's grave, which is located in the churchyard next to the cemetery, has a commemorative plaque that was installed by the Gondrée family
Le cimetière militaire de Ranville est, après celui de Bayeux, le plus important en nombre de tombes.
2564 soldats y sont enterrés: 2152 Britanniques, 76 Canadiens, 3 Néo-Zélandais, 2 Australiens, 5 Français, 1 Polonais, 1 Belge, 322 Allemands et 2 non identifiés.
Le plus jeune n'avait pas 16 ans!
2564 soldats y sont enterrés: 2152 Britanniques, 76 Canadiens, 3 Néo-Zélandais, 2 Australiens, 5 Français, 1 Polonais, 1 Belge, 322 Allemands et 2 non identifiés.
Le plus jeune n'avait pas 16 ans!
Dans le cimetière de l'église reposent des Britanniques, par exemple le soldat Brotheridge. Il avait pris place à bord de l'un des 6 premiers planeurs et a été le premier soldat Anglais tué sur la terre normande quand il tentait de traverser le pont, dans la nuit du 5 au 6 juin 1944. Enterré dans le cimetière autour de l'église, donc une terre consacrée, son corps, comme celui de ses compagnons, n’a pas été transféré dans le cimetière militaire.
The rules! Les règles!
PRINCIPLES There are 2 key principles...
1 Act with consideration to others
2 Act safely
OUR APPROACH We start off expecting you know how to behave. If you choose not to, your freedom will be restricted and parents/school informed.
TRAVEL = Public transport behaviour
Arrive on time. Keep coach tidy—no litter. Seatbelts on and face the front.
ACTIVITIES IN PUBLIC SPACES = Ambassadorial behaviour
The public will judge the country on you behaviour. Always the highest standard of courtesy and consideration for others. Show interest, smile, say please & thanks. Always in groups no fewer than 4, no more than 6.
COMMUNICATIONS AND BRIEFINGS = Assembly /lesson behaviour
Pay attention ; no talking
ROOMS = Hotel behaviour
Look after room; tidy and clean; case under bed or in corner; report damage immediately; keep secure, look after keys; only in assigned room. Respect right to privacy and quiet; quiet behaviour, do not disturb others; safe and respectful behaviour, no jumping on beds, no climbing through window, no trailing wires / trip hazards; no aerosols or balms; TV off.
IN THE CENTRE = School corridor behaviour
Walk don’t run; normal voice, no shouting ; respect to others including especially the staff at centre.
CENTRE—OUTSIDE: = School corridor behaviour
Keep within the limits ; safe games, nothing dangerous; no going into the water; considerate to others, including members of the public.
DINING ROOM = Restaurant behaviour
Orderly movement in, seating and exit; good table manners, fair sharing, quiet conversation; care with food and water: no spilling ; stay in seat... not to the toilets... if totally desperate ask supervisor (normally Ms Myers); try to appreciate food even if it is different.
LANGUAGE AND CULTURE SESSIONS = Classroom behaviour
Remain in your seat; work your best, this is a study visit, don’t make teachers nag.
BEDTIME = Home behaviour
Be considerate… we all need sleep, especially teachers who are working but need a break; follow instructions ; go to rooms, 30mins to organise yourselves, lights out; know where the staff are in an emergency
1 Act with consideration to others
2 Act safely
OUR APPROACH We start off expecting you know how to behave. If you choose not to, your freedom will be restricted and parents/school informed.
TRAVEL = Public transport behaviour
Arrive on time. Keep coach tidy—no litter. Seatbelts on and face the front.
ACTIVITIES IN PUBLIC SPACES = Ambassadorial behaviour
The public will judge the country on you behaviour. Always the highest standard of courtesy and consideration for others. Show interest, smile, say please & thanks. Always in groups no fewer than 4, no more than 6.
COMMUNICATIONS AND BRIEFINGS = Assembly /lesson behaviour
Pay attention ; no talking
ROOMS = Hotel behaviour
Look after room; tidy and clean; case under bed or in corner; report damage immediately; keep secure, look after keys; only in assigned room. Respect right to privacy and quiet; quiet behaviour, do not disturb others; safe and respectful behaviour, no jumping on beds, no climbing through window, no trailing wires / trip hazards; no aerosols or balms; TV off.
IN THE CENTRE = School corridor behaviour
Walk don’t run; normal voice, no shouting ; respect to others including especially the staff at centre.
CENTRE—OUTSIDE: = School corridor behaviour
Keep within the limits ; safe games, nothing dangerous; no going into the water; considerate to others, including members of the public.
DINING ROOM = Restaurant behaviour
Orderly movement in, seating and exit; good table manners, fair sharing, quiet conversation; care with food and water: no spilling ; stay in seat... not to the toilets... if totally desperate ask supervisor (normally Ms Myers); try to appreciate food even if it is different.
LANGUAGE AND CULTURE SESSIONS = Classroom behaviour
Remain in your seat; work your best, this is a study visit, don’t make teachers nag.
BEDTIME = Home behaviour
Be considerate… we all need sleep, especially teachers who are working but need a break; follow instructions ; go to rooms, 30mins to organise yourselves, lights out; know where the staff are in an emergency
Pegasus Bridge
On the night of 5 June 1944, a force of 181 men, led by Major John Howard, took off from RAF Tarrant Rushton in Dorset, southern England in six Horsa gliders to capture the Pont de Bénouville, later named Pegasus Bridge in honour of the emblem of the parachute regiment, and also "Horsa Bridge", a few hundred yards to the east, over the Orne River. The object of this action was to prevent German armour from crossing the bridges and attacking the eastern flank of the landings at Sword Beach.
Five of the Ox and Bucks's gliders landed as close as 47 yards from their objectives from 16 minutes past midnight. The attackers poured out of their battered gliders, completely surprising the German defenders, and took the bridges within 10 minutes. They lost two men in the process, Lieutenant Den Brotheridge and Lance-Corporal Fred Greenhalgh.
Greenhalgh drowned in a nearby pond when his glider landed. Lieutenant Brotheridge was killed crossing the bridge in the first minutes of the assault and thus became the first member of the invading Allied armies to die as a result of enemy fire on D-Day.
One glider, assigned to the capture of the river bridge, landed at the bridge over the River Dives, some 7 miles off. Most of the soldiers in this glider moved through German lines towards the village of Ranville where they eventually re-joined the British forces. The Ox & Bucks were reinforced half-an-hour after the landings by Major Pine-Coffin's 7th Parachute Battalion, and linked up with the beach landing forces with the arrival of Lord Lovat's Commandos.
The original Pegasus Bridge now resides in the grounds of the Pegasus Museum. The original bridge was replaced in 1994 by the wider, stronger structure, built by Spie Batignolles. It had been extended by 5 metres in the early 1960s to accommodate the widening of the canal and remained in use until 1993. After its replacement, Pegasus Bridge was left on waste ground. The bridge was sold to the museum for the symbolic price of one Franc.
Jour J - D Day. Some background information.
September 1939— Germany invades Poland and France and England declare war on Germany
June 1940—Germany invades France and overcomes the French in 6 weeks. Germany ‘occupies’ the northern part of France, and the French government ‘collaborates’ with Germany so that it can govern the southern ‘free zone’. Later in the war, Germany occupies the whole of the country.
Some French people escape France and join forces with the Allies. Some French join ‘Resistance’ movements to help the Allies by passing on information through networks or sabotaging German operations.
The Normandy landings, codenamed Operation Neptune, were the landing operations on 6 June 1944 (termed D-Day or ‘Jour-J) of the Allied invasion of Normandy in Operation Overlord during World War II. The largest seaborne invasion in history, the operation began the invasion of German-occupied western Europe, led to the restoration of the French Republic and contributed to an Allied victory in the war.
Planning for the operation began in 1943. In the months leading up to the invasion, the Allies conducted a substantial military deception, codenamed Operation Bodyguard, to mislead the Germans as to the date and location of the main Allied landings. The weather on D-Day was far from ideal, but postponing would have meant a delay of at least two weeks, as the invasion planners set conditions regarding the phase of the moon, the tides, and the time of day that meant only a few days in each month were deemed suitable. Hitler placed German Field Marshal Erwin Rommel in command of German forces and of developing fortifications along the Atlantic Wall in anticipation of an Allied invasion.
La tapisserie de Bayeux
Un peu d'histoire ... (a bit of history!)
Norman Conquest of England—(Sept. 28, 1066-1072): William, the Duke of Normandy, invaded England in the autumn of 1066, beginning a campaign of conquest leading to his crowning as the King of England and the establishment of Norman rule over England.
The events depicted on the tapestry cover three years: 1064—1066
(1) Harold’s visit to Normandy 1064-1065 (scenes 1-23)
(2) The death of Edward the Confessor 5th Jan 1066 + preparation for the Norman Invasion during spring and summer 1066 (scenes 24—38)
(3) The landing in England (28th September 1066) followed by The Battle of Hastings (14th October) (scenes 39-58)
The story of The Conquest, as it is known in England, began with the death of the old king of England, Edward the Confessor. King Edward had no sons to inherit his throne, a four-way conflict developed over who would become the next King of England.
Harold marched toward Hastings after defeating and killing Harald Hardrada and Tostig at Stamford Bridge, a victory which left his army tired and weakened. On Oct. 14, 1066, the Anglo-Saxon army of England battled the invading Normans. The battle ended with Harold dead and William of Normandy as the sole living claimant to the throne. William then marched his forces northward toward London, defeating the English at Southwark. Journeying toward the capital city, William received the surrender and submission of several important Anglo-Saxon nobles, and was crowned as King William (the First) on December 25, 1066. This ended the first phase of the Norman Conquest of England.
Norman Conquest of England—(Sept. 28, 1066-1072): William, the Duke of Normandy, invaded England in the autumn of 1066, beginning a campaign of conquest leading to his crowning as the King of England and the establishment of Norman rule over England.
The events depicted on the tapestry cover three years: 1064—1066
(1) Harold’s visit to Normandy 1064-1065 (scenes 1-23)
(2) The death of Edward the Confessor 5th Jan 1066 + preparation for the Norman Invasion during spring and summer 1066 (scenes 24—38)
(3) The landing in England (28th September 1066) followed by The Battle of Hastings (14th October) (scenes 39-58)
The story of The Conquest, as it is known in England, began with the death of the old king of England, Edward the Confessor. King Edward had no sons to inherit his throne, a four-way conflict developed over who would become the next King of England.
The English Witanagemot, the traditional council of nobles, chose Harold Godwinson as the new king.
The other claimants included;
- King Harold's half-brother, Tostig Godwinson,
- Harald Hardrada, the King of Norway, and
- William, Duke of Normandy, a region in northwest France.
Harold marched toward Hastings after defeating and killing Harald Hardrada and Tostig at Stamford Bridge, a victory which left his army tired and weakened. On Oct. 14, 1066, the Anglo-Saxon army of England battled the invading Normans. The battle ended with Harold dead and William of Normandy as the sole living claimant to the throne. William then marched his forces northward toward London, defeating the English at Southwark. Journeying toward the capital city, William received the surrender and submission of several important Anglo-Saxon nobles, and was crowned as King William (the First) on December 25, 1066. This ended the first phase of the Norman Conquest of England.
Useful phrases: Giving an opinion
Some phrases we may use to give an opinion of our visit;
J Giving an opinion
|
Pour donner son opinion ..
|
It is / It was / It will be
|
C'est / C'était / Ce sera
|
a little / quite / very / too
|
un peu / assez / très / trop
|
super / chouette / excellent / fantastique
|
super / great / excellent / fantastic
|
interesting / fascinating
|
intéressant / fascinant
|
moving / touching
|
émouvant / touchant
|
cool / fun / funny
|
cool / amusant / drôle
|
boring / rubbish
|
ennuyeux / nul
|
(To be honest) It isn’t my thing
|
(Franchement) Ce n'est pas mon truc
|
sweet
|
mignon
|
and / but / however
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et / mais / cependant
|
Useful phrases: writing about a study visit
Some phrases we may need for writing our diary / blog of the trip:
|
Writing a diary / blog …
|
Pour écrire un journal / un blog
|
|
Today / in the morning /in the afternoon / in the evening
|
Aujourd'hui /
le matin / l'après-midi / le soir
|
|
We left at 9 o'clock
|
On est partis à
9 heures
|
|
I got up at 7 o'clock
|
Je me suis
levé(e) à sept heures
|
|
I got washed and I got dressed
|
Je me suis
lavé(e) et je me suis habillé(e)
|
|
We had breakfast / dinner
|
On a pris le
petit déjeuner / le dîner
|
|
We worked in the classroom
|
On a travaillé
dans la salle de classe
|
|
We travelled by coach / boat
|
On a voyagé en
car / en bateau
|
|
We arrived at 10.30
|
On est arrivés
à dix heures et demie
|
|
We visited a museum / a cinema / a bakery / a biscuit
maker / a cider maker / a chocolate maker / a farm / a hypermarket / a
cemetery / a market / a beach / Bayeux / Deauville / Cabourg
|
On a visité un
musée / un cinéma / une boulangerie / une biscuiterie / une cidrerie / une
chocolaterie / une ferme / un hypermarché / un cimetière / un marché / une
plage / Bayeux / Trouville / Cabourg
|
|
I saw
|
J'ai vu
|
|
I read
|
J'ai lu
|
|
I ate
|
J'ai mangé
|
|
I drank
|
J'ai bu
|
|
We went
shopping
|
On a fait du
shopping
|
|
We learnt a lot
|
On a appris
beaucoup
|
|
We prepared a
picnic
|
On a préparé un
pique-nique
|
|
We went to
|
On est allés à
…
|
|
We played
|
On a joué
|
|
We made bread / some biscuits
|
On a fait du
pain / des biscuits
|
|
We listened to the guide
|
On a écouté le
guide
|
|
We bought …
|
On a acheté ..
|
|
We spoke in French
|
On a parlé en
français
|
|
We chatted
|
On a bavardé
|
|
We watched a film
|
On a regardé un
film
|
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