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!)

Cologne!

Here I am, back in old "Blighty" again, after a couple of days of gobe-trotting on the dreaded Cologne trip. As predicted, I did have a very enjoyable time. We had great fun, mainly at the expense of my Head of Area, but it was worth it :o)

The coach journey was, of course, torture. Very loud and excited Yr7s not much space and COLD. Fortunately Leicester Forest East had these wonderful travel pillows and blankets that we spashed out on. I'm so glad I did, as it eased the discomfort, somewhat.
Once in Cologne, we arrived at the Deutz Youth Hostel, a very well equiped and modern place to stay - hoghly recommended, and then we walked the kids into Cologne for a boat trip. We had a pleasant 2 hrs on a KD Cruise, however I think one hour would have been long enough, in reality. After tea, we were able to gather in a room for the "good cop, bad cop" routine, as I praised the kids for their behaviour on the boat and at tea and Peter (my Head of Area and Deputy Group Leader) told them off for their lack of consideration and the state the coach was in. The kids were in bed by 9.45 pm!!! Admittedly we then sat in the corridor until after midnight but that was more of a "life-style choice" - and it was such fun to hear the kids opening their doors, for them to catch a glimpse of us and retreat very quickly, looking sheepish.
Saturday saw us packing and walking back into Cologne. We went to the Cathedral, of course and Peter and Claire walked (sorry, dragged) the kids up the tower. Fortunately my balance problems due to my deafness in one ear and Barbara's bad arm meant we had to be left behind at the bottom. After the tower came "shopping for tatt" - and that was just the staff. We bought enough flags to deck out the whole of Ian Ramsey School with flags from the EU, got some great toungue in cheek pressies for the rest of the MFL Area but won't mention them here, as I would hate to spoil the surprise tomorrow if anyone reads this!
After coffee and cheese cake and a pizza, we headed off to the chocolate museum, by which time I had lost the will to live so rushed round the very warm museum and spent the rest of the afternoon in the museum cafe...Pinot Grigio by the river - very civilised indeed! After that I got my second wind. We returned to the main town for tea and then headed back to the coach at 6.00pm. We were home by 7.30am this morning so made great time.
We had great drivers who didn't take themselves, or us too seriously which is important. They could also do a mean U-turn in the centre of Cologne. The kids were fine - just normal kids on a trip, really, loud, messy and smelly. It must be said though that the four I had my doubts about taking were OK. The staff who went were great, all shared responisibilty (essential on a trip) but also ready to let their hair down at the appropriate times such as during karacoachy sessions!
Best moment of the trip? Getting off the coach at school and seeing my two beauties running up to greet me. Wonderful!!

Preparing for Cologne

Well, the inevitable is about to happen...we leave for Cologne on Thursday evening with 38 Yr7 pupils, including at least 4 very dubious characters (and that's just the teachers!)
We have a full programme that includes leaving school at 21hrs, arriving in Cologne at 14hrs the following day, going on a boat trip on the Rhine, staying over-night, going to the chocolate musem and cathedral, then getting back on coach at 18hrs at arriving back at school at 9hrs on Sunday morning just in time for Fathers' Day. Oh, and I don't know the first thing about Cologne. Oh, and did I mention that the forecast is for rain?
And people wonder why I'm not ecstatic about the trip...

A week off?

As we approad the end of our half term break, I thought, after a week of doing very little computer wise I'd post about my "week off".
We had a lovely, if not tiring week with my best friend Heike and her two boys Marc (2) and Eric (1). It's amazing how quickly you forget what life with a baby is like...it takes about half an hour to get out of the house!!! (Or is that just Heike??) We explored the Northeast in freezing temperatures and howling gales (seeing us at out best, of course)...but at least it meant that the boys weren't too warm with their tights under their trousers, 3 layers of jumpers, scarves and balaclavas. I must admit that by the end of their stay I'd started to wonder whether I should be wrapping Alice and Dan up warmer. We looked at the planets and railway carriage at Wynyard Woodland Park. We ventured to Seaton Canoe ...oops, meant Carew (when it was 0 degrees outside) and played on the beach, then went to the Marina for hot chocolate and scones and then walked round to "see" the HMS Trincomalee and the Steamer the PSS Wingfield Castle through the freezing fog. We attempted to go to Raby Castle but it was closed until April - although Heike being Heike insisted that I drive up the drive to get photos (and cringe with embarassement!) - so then drove through Barnard Castle and then back to marvel at the toys in "Toys R Us". Finally, on Thursday we made it to Hadrian's Wall - the Fort of Chesters - in the wind. The kids loved being able to run around and pretend to be Roman Soldiers. In addition we watched a couple of German films - "Goodbye Lenin" and "Was tun wenn's brennt" - which were actually quite good. I really enjoyed being with Heike and miss her now that she's back home in France...yes, she's German but is married to a French soldier...very confusing as far as languages go (not for me but for the rest of the family!!!).
So that was my week. Now I have a week of lessons in the dining hall whilst my classroom get "propped", since our building is falling down :os