Oscar Zambuto
The group is currently in Beaucaire in the South of France after an excellent but intense time in Rome, Florence and Venice. Beaucaire appears to be a very rural place; it reminds me of a much nicer version of Kumeu. One of the main differences with respect to staying in Beaucaire is that we are staying in a very nice hotel, with in-house restaurant meals every night. We also transport ourselves in Renault minivans. These minivans have forced our poor teachers to relive their torrid teenage driving lessons, as unfortunately all three vans are manual, adding to the confusion of driving on the wrong side of the road. After many instances of looking the wrong way at roundabouts, stalling, accidentally running red lights, near-misses, kerbings, and the ever-present stench of clutches burning out, the convoy finally seems to be getting used to the driving after three days in Beaucaire.
There is also a pool at the hotel, which is excellent for both sunbathing and cooling off; however, Sam Bell is now much more careful with the poolside sunscreen application after his unfortunate overnight ferry sunburn, which has only now fully healed. Having been told to dress formally for our dinners, these have more or less become a fashion show. With many op shop purchases, including loud Hawaiian shirts and retro jackets, as well as the Florentine leather jackets and shoes, these dinners have thrown up some very interesting outfits.
In addition to the hotel itself, it has also been interesting to see the monuments and buildings which Beaucaire has to offer. It baffles me that there are so many significant fortifications, churches, and buildings in such a small provincial area, with some Augustan buildings showing the extent of his reach and propaganda at the time of his reign in Rome.
Today (Monday 10th July) has been the best day so far in Beaucaire. After some time looking at a very humble and modest church (one of my favourites so far) and a medieval castle, we made our way to the Pont Du Gard, a Roman aqueduct. It’s an incredible structure, with a 300:1 gradient, and no concrete used in its construction. Then, in the sweltering heat, we all swam underneath the aqueduct, jumping from a rock into the chilly water below. We were made fun of by local French children for our pasty skin (even though our tans are well and truly in their advanced stages) and presumably touristy appearance.
So far, France has been very different to Italy in terms of pace and things to see, but we expect the pace to quicken when we reach Paris, which we are all looking forward to.
There is also a pool at the hotel, which is excellent for both sunbathing and cooling off; however, Sam Bell is now much more careful with the poolside sunscreen application after his unfortunate overnight ferry sunburn, which has only now fully healed. Having been told to dress formally for our dinners, these have more or less become a fashion show. With many op shop purchases, including loud Hawaiian shirts and retro jackets, as well as the Florentine leather jackets and shoes, these dinners have thrown up some very interesting outfits.
In addition to the hotel itself, it has also been interesting to see the monuments and buildings which Beaucaire has to offer. It baffles me that there are so many significant fortifications, churches, and buildings in such a small provincial area, with some Augustan buildings showing the extent of his reach and propaganda at the time of his reign in Rome.
Today (Monday 10th July) has been the best day so far in Beaucaire. After some time looking at a very humble and modest church (one of my favourites so far) and a medieval castle, we made our way to the Pont Du Gard, a Roman aqueduct. It’s an incredible structure, with a 300:1 gradient, and no concrete used in its construction. Then, in the sweltering heat, we all swam underneath the aqueduct, jumping from a rock into the chilly water below. We were made fun of by local French children for our pasty skin (even though our tans are well and truly in their advanced stages) and presumably touristy appearance.
So far, France has been very different to Italy in terms of pace and things to see, but we expect the pace to quicken when we reach Paris, which we are all looking forward to.