As our project nears completion we would like to thank the New Zealand France Friendship Fund and the Shared Histories programme for the support they have given us to complete our project.  It seems so long ago that we began the planning for such a momentous undertaking.  It was not lost on us the young age of our students, most only 12 years old when they left NZ for 3 weeks in Europe without their parents.  

Without the financial support of the NZFFF and Shared Histories this exchange would...

More than two years ago we couldn't imagine travelling to New Zealand and establishing a long friendly relationship with AJHS students and teachers. This day has come and we are flying to Auckland on April 21st. We will meet our New Zealand friends, discover their culture, their so beautiful country. Our students and we are really excited and a bit stressed about a so long trip.

I think it will be a fantastic experience and we are looking forward to being in Auckland. 

Exciting isn't it

A parallel universe or the night I ate Belgian chocolate icecream with a knife and fork in a Japanese restaurant in France

The food - the post I knew I would write

Catching you up on our travels

Gaillac and the vineyard

A greeting in French from Sandrine Calvignac - teacher at College Albert Camus

 The main gate into the city just as we were about to go in at 10:30.

 One of the at least 8 bonbon shops which our children were in a lot.

 The church inside the city where we had lunch - it is as old as the city.

 The guide with the students just before going into the castle - this is the third set of walls guarding the castle.

 Walking around the battlements.  Just like in the movies you walk across the wall towards the next tower.

 An original fresco from 1200.

 Looking...

Today we spent the afternoon in Albi.  Just another of those medieval towns, we are so used to these now they are commonplace!

Albi has the worlds largest brick cathedral and the bell tower is more than 40 metres high.  Next door is the Bishop's palace which is now the Toulouse Lautrec museum and holds many of  his paintings.

The cathedral was amazing, the ceiling was painted in the 15th century and still appears magnificent - bright blue and without damage.  There is the old choir area which...

Today was a very special day, a very moving day.  Both Lucille and I had a tear or two in our eyes.  We felt very strongly that we were representing our country in a small corner of South France.  The town council representative, two education department representatives, their version of the RSA, and many others were present.  We marched from the town hall to the memorial.

 There were beautiful wreaths, our plastic poppies (ordered in advance) looked very sad.  The pink flowers were from the...