The beginning...... It's a long story
A Life-Changing School Trip to France in 1974
In 1974, when I was just 11 years old, I embarked on a school camping trip that would not only shape my childhood but also change the course of my future. My school, Didsbury Road, organised a holiday to France, and little did I know, this trip would spark a lifelong love affair with the country and its culture.
The trip began with an exciting coach ride from school in Didsbury Road, Stockport, the north west of England. How brave those 10 teachers were taking thirty nine 11 year olds on an almost 2000 mile trip to another country. The coach journey was at night. We were supposed to sleep but nobody could we were all way too excited. We boarded a late ferry at Southampton and all had recliner chairs to sleep in. The voyage was six and a half hours. Most of my friends suffered with sea sickness, but not me, I don't know why! I even ate bacon and eggs before we disembarked! We sailed to Le Havre, the port city on France’s northern coast.
From Le Havre ferry port, we spent at least three and a half hours on the bus to our first camp in Amboise. The teachers made it so fun. We had all the latest chart music playing. "He's a walkin miracle" by Limmie and Family Cookin, " When will I see you again" The Three Degrees, songs still on my playlist today! and there was my first crush. Timothy who had not long joined the school from Australia. We stopped for lunch at a hotel. There was a long table for us and another which was full of elderly people. The food began to come. Now I have never been a fussy eater but my peers were not happy. I remember eating the most succulent slices of beef and chips. I was munching away and a Grandpa on the next table gave me a thumbs up and I gave one back. He seemed to enjoy seeing me enjoy the food. However when the desert came it was a different story. Like I said, I am not a fussy eater but it was Tapioca.... yuk about the only thing I wouldn't eat and still do not. I pushed the little dish away and the Grandpa saw. He gave me a question gesture and I shook my head and made a face of displeasure. He did no more than stood up from his table and brought me a huge chunk of Brie and some baguette. He went back to his table and showed me with actions how to cut the cheese and put it on the bread. I followed, it was a delightful experience that has obviously stayed with me. His face was a picture of pride that this little English girl was enjoying French food.
This was my first ever encounter of the French generosity and the first time I spoke the language. Just a simple "merci" that I had learned from the glossary of French words in the itinerary. I left the lunch satisfied and a little bit in love with my French experience.
During scenic journey down to Amboise, I enjoyed just looking out of the window admiring the countryside. I didn't even notice I'd had virtually no sleep. At the campsite, we set up our Peewit tents, borrowed from The local Scouts and settled into the rustic rhythm of camping life. It wasn’t a luxurious trip by any means, this was 1974 when campsites were extremely basic. We cooked our meals on camping stoves each tent appointed a turn in cooking and washing up. There were 6 children in each tent. The teachers had their own tents and we were trusted to be good.
We stayed in Amboise for two nights. It is picturesque town situated on the banks of the Loire River. The campsite there was unique as it was located on an island in the middle of the river, which made the experience feel even more magical. We had the opportunity to visit the famous Château du Clos Lucé, where many works by the renowned artist and inventor, Leonardo da Vinci, are housed. The beauty of this place and the history behind the works fascinated me, and I couldn’t help but feel inspired by the legacy of Da Vinci.
From Amboise, we continued our journey south through the French countryside, heading towards a charming campsite in Pyla-sur-Mer. Camping de la Dune, located near the Atlantic coast. We spent six nights surrounded by nature, it was a kin to being in an Enid Blyton story. One of the most memorable parts of this stay was the towering sand dune nearby, which was well known as the tallest in Europe. We spent hours sledging down its steep slopes on tin trays, an experience that I can still recall with fondness and amazement. We were allowed to go to the bar with the teachers in the early evening. I felt so grown up. The head Master asked if I would like a drink. I didn't know what to choose so he ordered me a citron pressé. Freshly squeezed lemon juice with ice and water and a bit of sugar. I think he could see that I was embracing France. Unforgettable.
From Pyla-sur-Mer, we embarked on the final leg of our adventure, Paris. We stayed in the capitol for just two days. Though brief, the time in the City of Light was unforgettable. The bus driver drove us around, and we had the chance to see iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and La basilique du Sacré-Cœur. I was awe struck. The architecture, and the sheer vibrancy of the city left an indelible impression on me. I would even imagine myself as a little old lady with my hair in a chignon walking my two little pet dogs, living in Paris.
What truly struck me during this trip was how much I fell in love with France, the language, the culture, the people, and especially the food. From those moments, I knew that living in France was my destiny. This trip planted the seed for my future, and as I look back on it now, I realise just how significant it was in shaping the person I would become. Living in France was always a childhood dream of mine, one that I nurtured from the moment I first set foot on French soil.
Over the years, that dream grew stronger, and eventually in 2017, it became my reality. Now, I’m living in the very country that captured my heart all those years ago, and it feels as though everything has fallen into place, I feel as though I am home.
The icing on the cake? Meeting and marrying the love of my life, my wonderful French husband Jean Marc. Together, we are creating a life filled with the joy of shared experiences. A joint love of riding Harley Davidson Motorcycles, discovering the beauty of French culture in our camping van, and a love that has brought my dream full circle.
Although we do not live in Paris, The Pyrénées-Orientales is our home. I do quite often wear my hair in a chignon though but at the moment, no dogs.
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