From Baking to the Bayeux tapestry Normandy was a trip I will ever forget!
This is an inter-departmental trip organised by the French, History, Art, Systems of Belief, English and Geography departments, and we began on Tuesday with a 180-degree film called The 100 days of Normandy, about the D-Day landings and the Battle of Normandy. This was so engaging as there was video and sound coming from all around the room really drawing you in and making you feel part of the action. We also saw the American and German war cemeteries. This was emotional and thought-provoking as well as beautiful and it was really interesting to compare the two.
On Wednesday we went to a French town where we did a town trail following instructions and answering the questions. We got a bit lost, worked out how to ask for directions, plucked up the courage to ask someone, then it turned out they were Dutch and were just as lost as we were! We also did a postcard writing activity, writing postcards to our French teachers. Next we headed off to the Boulangerie where we learnt words for ingredients, learn about bread-making by hand and even got to make some ourselves. The smells were amazing and it tasted delicious!
On Thursday we headed off to Bayeux where we saw the famous Bayeux Tapestry. It was so interesting to see what had happened in the battle and leading up to it and afterwards. We were also amazed at how vibrant the colours were even though it is 1000 years old. It was shocking to learn how the tapestry had almost been lost and that the last part remains lost; it was interesting to wonder what could be in that last part!
On Friday it was time to go home. We had an amazing week but were glad to get back to our families.
Sophie Rayment
