1958 France

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The next afternoon, we met our two young guides, and went off by coach to see our first chateaux (or castles), for which the Loire Valley is renowned. We visited Chaumont-sur-Loire, Blois, Chambord, and Cheverny, all of whicll were very interesting and magnificent. The next morning, we caught the bus into Tours, and saw the sights of the town, and visited the Cathedral, and a few went to the museum with Miss Riddall.

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On July 18th we saw the little church at Candes, and Fontevrault Abbey, which is now a prison, Monsoreau manor, and Saumur. That evening we had a party in the gymnasium, which was quite fun. That night there was a bad thunderstorm, during which most people were terrified, but the windows and shutters were closed, and we all slept peacefully again. On Saturday, 19th July, we saw Villandry, a mansion with magnificent gardens, Azay-le-Rideau and Langeais. The next morning, Sunday, we had a service conducted by Miss Riddall in one of the classrooms, and then. in the afternoon, visited Chenoncoaux, Amboise, and went into the wine caverns of Vouvray, which are cellars hollowed out of rock.

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On Monday, our last day, we spent our time packing and shopping in Tours, buying presents to take home, and food for the journey. The next day we were off. Packing into a coach, we set off for the station, caught the train, and arrived in Paris about lunchtime. Here we had to say goodbye to Miss Quigley who was off to St. Malo in Brittany. Then, aceompanied by Miss Riddall and Mrs. Kennedy, we went to the café for lunch,. After which we walked to the Louvre to meet Mr. Gourley. Miss Riddall, Bill Gordon and Tom Roulston went off to meet him, while we sat in the Tuilleries Gardens But Mr Gourley never turned up, so we walked half-way to the Arc de Triomph up the Champs dElysees and returned to the cafe - and Mr. Gourley!

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We then caught the train to Le Havre, and crossed over to Southampton which we reached in the morning. We went by train to London. which we reached about mid-day. We had lunch, and then went to the Zoo at Regent's Park, which was great fun. That evening, we caught the train to Heysham, the boat to Belfast, and we were home after a wonderful sunny holiday.

It had been a wonderful holiday. We had eaten French food, enjoved French sunshine and met French people. Mr. Gourlay and Miss Quigley had given us all a lovely time, and Miss Riddall and Mrs. Kennedy had looked after us well. I am sure everybody is very grateful to them all, and hope we shall have another holiday to rival it some day.

CELIA HERDMAN (Form V)

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