After an early start on Friday, we enjoyed a seamless journey to the Abbaye de Fleury in Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire, with the Choristers and Cathedral staff. The school catering team had very kindly prepared hot bacon baps for breakfast on the coach, as well as packed lunches for the ferry, both very gratefully received. 

We were warmly welcomed on arrival by the Dean of Winchester Cathedral, the Very Reverend Christopher Palmer, and several of the monks. We were extremely well looked after throughout our stay. One of the Abbey’s expectations was that we washed up after meals, and it was genuinely lovely to see how quickly the boys volunteered to help each time. 

After a relaxing morning on Saturday with games, a tour of the Abbey, and ice creams in the village, the Choristers performed a sublime concert to a packed Abbey in the early evening. It was particularly special to see how many Chorister parents were able to make the journey to Fleury to support the boys. Later that evening, we enjoyed a delicious meal in Orléans, after which the (exhausted) Choristers slept very well. 

On Sunday, after breakfast, we said goodbye to the monks, who were both kind and appreciative, and waved us off as we travelled on to Paris. Our next concert took place at L’Église de la Madeleine, again to a full church. It was magnificent and very moving. Although rain had been forecast, we were fortunate to enjoy a Bateaux Mouches cruise along the River Seine in full sunshine. 

After a comfortable night in the hotel, we began our journey home, stopping at a supermarket for lunch where the boys could choose their own food (which proved, unsurprisingly, to be an 'interesting' exercise!). Sadly, delays at customs meant that we missed the ferry. Even so, the Choristers were impressively cheerful and resourceful, keeping themselves entertained with indoor hand cricket and other games while we waited for the next one. We eventually arrived back in Winchester at 2am, where very patient parents were waiting to collect their sons. 

It was a real privilege for both Mrs Brill and me to care for the Choristers on this trip, and to hear such beautiful singing in places of such deep spirituality. It is an experience we will not forget. 

Nicki Beaumont
Head Nurse