Blog Entry

    contact us

    Roedean on the road - how an overnight visit to Spain turned into a trek across Europe

    Many will have dramatic tales of travel brought on by the volcanic ash problems, and I know many of our students will have experienced the frustration of the flight ban. For those of us used to fast, simple travel, the UK's position as an island nation was reinforced this last week.

    In my case, a short trip to Madrid to meet prospective parents ended a week later in Paris, thanks to the kindness of strangers offering a car share out of Spain.

    Once I had a space in this car, allegedly one of the few remaining hire cars in Madrid, we passed through the plains of Spain (where I can confirm it does indeed rain), the grandeur of the Pyrenees, and the rolling hills of the Loire Valley. In Paris, I have been sitting it out until a precious Eurostar seat became available.

    As I waited patiently in the shadow of Hotel des Invalides, a monument built for Napoleon, I reflected on Napoleon's bid for European domination. This bid was built on ease of moving his army across Europe, before facing the English Channel, the ultimate barrier then as now. 

    Napoleon did not have such trouble invading Spain, where he was fiercely opposed. I had observed the brutality of war throught the paintings and sketches of Goya in Madrid.

    I had also seen 'Guernica' by Picasso, which represents the aerial bombing of a small Spanish town by the Germans in 1937.The civil war and the subsequent repressive years under Franco were also well-documented, reminding me how recent is the relaxed and open democracy of modern Spain.

    On a more positive note, it struck me how interconnected are the histories of Spain, France and the UK. How fortunate we are to be able to journey with ease between them - usually!

    So rather than approaching our neighbouring countries with the suspicion and aggression of earlier wars, I hope Roedean students will have an open-minded attitude of respect and interest in other cultures. I also hope that they, too, will one day benefit from the kindness of strangers as I did.

    By Frances King, Headmistress at Wednesday, 21 April 2010

    COMMENTS

    Post a comment

    Name:

    Email:

    Comment: 
     
     
    All content © Roedean 2012 | Roedean Way, Brighton, BN2 5RQ | Registered Charity No. 307063