Et voilà! The SHSS Paris trip is over.

Breakfast was early as we had to travel to Versailles. Again, the sun was shining as we approached the palace. A large statue of the Sun King, Louis XIV, stood at the entrance to Versailles. We passed through the golden gates to the courtyard. We saw Marie Antionette’s bedroom, the famous Hall of Mirrors, and even ate some macarons from Ladurée’s pop up shop on the ground floor!

We then had some free time to visit the market and get something to eat. The town was buzzing!

Off we went to Charles de Gaulle, making it in plenty of time. We said goodbye to our drivers, Patrick and Ion, and headed to check in.

What a DIFFERENCE! Hardly any queue, no stress… the airport was a joy.

Each of the groups - the Petits Filous, the Bellas, the Garçons, the Shenanigans, Up and Atom, the Holy Crêpes, the Brownies, and the Mullets - got little trinkets from each teacher as a small memento of this trip. A fantastic group to take abroad. We’re so proud of you, girls!

We got back to Dublin and it was raining! That was a big shock to the system. Then, it was home on the bus.

Highlights of today:

1. Mr Mul playing ‘Maniac 2000’ on the bus to get ‘pumped’ for Versailles.

2. Ms Meade saying ‘Coucou’ each morning to her bus.

3. Patrick the bus driver cleaning up with his sale of 1 euro water on the bus. He could retire on the profits! Mr Mul was his main vendor, to be fair.

4. Ms Bell got her beloved 18 year old sunglasses back, having lost them at Val d’Europe. Phew.

5. The Queen’s bedroom at Versailles. Wowza.

6. The market at Versailles. So atmospheric.

7. The macarons at Ladurée. Oh. My. God. Amazingly delicious. Pistachio flavour.

8. Aisling Dooley and Mr Browne having a ‘Jump Off’ at the airport.

9. When the students thanked the teachers. So thoughtful and polite.

10. Mr Mul (again) playing ‘Fox on the Run’ on the bus. What a tune!

11. The style of the students. So chic!

12. The lack of queues at the airport. The sound check in attendants who allowed our overweight bags on board with no extra charge.

Happy Easter to all! So delighted the trip went well. Here’s to the return of the SHSS tours!