The Year 6 boys departed from school with great excitement despite the early start, and had a comfortable crossing from Portsmouth to Caen in Normandy. We arrived at La Grand’ Ferme in good time to enjoy the fine weather on Monday late afternoon. After a tour of the site, the boys unpacked and then enjoyed a delicious dinner. Our first activity was an evening treasure hunt, which was great fun, as they had to run round all over the grounds finding different objects in order to win the competition. 

On Tuesday we spent the day on and around the Mont-Saint-Michel. We visited the main street and the ramparts, had time to discover the magnificent abbey, and then adventured on a four-mile walk across the bay. Crossing the Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel on foot with the guidance of an accredited guide was an incredible experience. Still full of energy, we competed in the evening in a great game of aeroballe, a mixture of basket-ball and trampolining. 

Wednesday took us further afield as we travelled to Villers-Bocage and spent the morning practising French by choosing food for our lunchtime picnic in the outdoor market. After lunch, we enjoyed a documentary film in the nearby Arromanches Cinema. We then ate an ice-cream by the D-Day landing ‘Gold’ beach, which was where the British forces landed in the Battle of Normandy. From high above, we were able to see the remains of the Mulberry harbours. In the Bayeux War Cemetery, we had a peaceful, reflective time walking along and looking at the variety of engraved gravestones. Many of the boys were moved by the ages of the soldiers who died, and at the same time impressed with the symmetry of the rows of gravestones and the beauty of the place in which they have been laid to rest. On a lighter note in the evening, the water polo game in the on-site swimming pool provided loads of fun for everybody. 

Thursday brought another activity-packed day with a morning admiring the astonishing Bayeux Tapestry. We all listened to our audio guides as we examined this amazing long embroidery which tells the story of how William the Conqueror became King of England after defeating King Harold’s forces at the Battle of Hastings. The afternoon was spent in the Adventure High-ropes Park, where the boys had the opportunity to challenge themselves on different trails and also go tubbing and karting. The day ended with a pétanque tournament in true French spirit!