Cologne again

Wow, I can't believe it's a year since I wrote my last entry about our Cologne visit! Where has the time gone?

Anyway, last Thursday evening came around and I once again found myself waiting at school for a coach to arrive with 39 Year 7s and another 3 staff. Things hadn't really changed, we were more or less the same "team" as last year, except we had out fab GTP accompanying us this time, so we all know what to expect! I was rather apprehensive about the trip, as this time we decided to book everything ourselves, rather than go through a specialist travel company (thus saving ourselves hundreds of pounds!), but of course, me being me, I worried that something would go wrong with my booking system.

All was well until we arrived at Folkstone at about 3.00am for our Shuttle...to discover that our booking was for the ferry! So we trundled off to Dover...to discover that no-one from the coach company had confirmed the booking so it had been cancelled!! ("Miss" started to worry-no surprises there then!). No problem though, we finally made it onto the Pride of Dover just as the sun was rising over the Eastern Docks, and beautiful it was too! I did worry a little that this wasn't on  the risk assessment, however at times, one just has to do what's best for the kids and that was one of those times!

Finally, after 18 hrs, we made it Cologne and headed to the Cathedral. Now, I'm very lucky, in that my balance problems caused by me deafness in one ear, do not allow me to climb the cathedral tower (shame), so  had to have a coffee instead! 11 Euros for TWO coffees I nearly fell over!!!!!!

The rest of the trip went off without a hitch. Boat trip on the Rhine, visit to the (very warm) Chocolate Museum (don't they have air conditioning) and even a stop in the Pandora Shop to by a commemorative bead - unfortunately they didn't have one of the cathedral :o(

It was a great trip made even better by the wonderful staff who, again, agreed to gave up their weekend to come with me and make the trip possible. It just wouldn't be the same trip without them. It's so great when you go on a trip and are able to get on so well with the other people there and enjoy the experience for yourself as well as for the children. Thank you one and all (specially Claire who ran the Race for Life in Darlington on Sunday after no sleep...oh no, she was the one who did sleep!)