Paula's school camp in France

So, two weeks later and I have finally got some time to write about my little escapade to Normandy. (I am really sick of writing school reports!!!)

So, very early on Monday the 9th June, I made my way to school and jumped on a bus with 5 other teachers and 50 year 5 boys (thats 10 year olds...) and we drove down to Dover and hopped onto the train to go through the 'chunnel'. What an incredible piece of engineering that is! we drove onto this train in our double decker bus and sat there while it sped through under water to Calais. Very cool. But kinda boring after about 5 minutes of tunnel. Nevermind.

Once we got to France, we had another 6 hours of bus ride to get us to the chateau where we were staying, but once we got there, it was cool. We were met by our two French guides who proceeded to speak to the boys in nothing but French for the entire trip, which was interesting for Miss Wightman and her non-French speaking capabilities. yes... fun.... thank goodness the boys could interpret the instructions!

So... Tuesday, we spent the day at the main Chateau, which was about an hour away, where the boys had fun making bread, climbing the walls, doing circus skills and some even did orienteering. It was beautiful weather, so Miss Wightman had fun sitting in the sun relaxing!

Wednesday we went to a traditional French market, which was fascinating. Unfortunately, my batteries ran out on my camera at this stage, so I didn't get any photos of all the amazing cheeses, sausages, fresh fruit and vege, fresh fish, the HUGEST paella bowl I have ever seen, and heaps more cool stuff. Oh well. In the afternoon we went to Mont St Michel. What an absolutlely fascinating place. Here is a link if you would like to find out

http://mont-saint-michel.monuments-nationaux.fr/en/

Thursday we went to Tapisserie De Bayeux. Which was AMAZING!!!! I did think of you mum! I might have even got you something for Christmas..... but you will have to wait! No photos allowed. Sorry! In the afternoon we went to a zoo. Which was cool, as the boys all managed to go around the place in thier own groups, but Miss Wightman had fun wandering about and talking science stuff with them!!! :) Got to see some pink flamingoes and also some otters being fed. Then it was back to camp and all the boys had a dress up contest, they were told to dress up 'French' and the teachers had to judge. How hard!!! the winner was a boy who had gone all out as the hunchback of notredame. Very Cool! then for dinner we had... escargo!!!!! And yes, Miss Wightman did try them! They were okay, very garlicky!!!! which helped I think. the boys absolutely adored them, and they even wanted more!!! After dinner we all went for a short walk to the beach, where some boys played football, some tried burying themselves, and the rest of us (including Miss W) went foraging along the beach. Was great to be a science teacher outside the classroom, trying to find cool things on the beach.

Friday it was home time, and yet another long bus ride back to London. Then home to an empty house as Alex was in Italy. :(

One more thing.... last weekend I went and hung out with Alex and the London Scottish pipes and drums as they prepared to March through London, from Horse Guards Parade ground to Wellington Barracks. The Territorial Amry had a big pagaent to celebrate 100 years. So... I got some good piccys of Alex in all his gears... :)

Alright Oslo...

So the weekend 31st of May we were off to Oslo Norway to see the sights and also see a concert.

We traveled through terminal 5 Heathrow with BA and it was surprizingly hassle free, if you listened to the news you would think this was a miricle.

We fly 2 hours or so to Norway where the Customs officer said "Oh New Zealander we don't get many of those"

we then had a short ride through lushish green country side to the outskirts of Oslo.

The Next day after doing an interpretation of the Norgwegian ticket machine we got off the ringen tube line at Majorstruden and walked through the town. In mid 20 degree heat (since when was Norway a hot country!) We saw the changing of the guard for the Norweign kings palace. Less showy than the Queens but still the guards change...

... That is where Alex got up to, so I will try annd finish up. :) P.

After we watched the interesting changing of the guard (that included the new guard marching all the way around the palace grounnds to change each guard over) we wandered about through the palatial grounds which were stunning! (lots of half naked sunbathers!)

After the palace we wandered through the city looking at shops and being touristic. Found some nice coffee though... :)

We headed back to the hotel to get changed and have an early dinner before finding our way to the stadium where Kiss where playing. Well, yeah, we were miles too early (all Paula's fault!) and the line waiting was already very, very long. So we sat in the sun and waited for the gates to open. We waited. And we waited. And we watched some idiot pass out from too much 'something' and be carried out on a stretcher. And then we waited some more....

finally we got in. Yah! We decided to flag the warm-up band, and get something cold to drink. But then we saw Kiss. It was quite cool. I knew more songs than I thought I would and wanted to Rock n Roll all night... (hehehe)

(i'm sure Alex could fill this bit in better than me, but he is in Italy right now, so can't help me!)

One weird thing though was coming out of a concert at 11pm and it still being daylight. odd.

The only real down side to the night was trying to find our way home afterwards. Having missed the last metro, we had to get a taxi. Never mind.

So, then we were onto Sunday. We decided to catch a ferry across to Bygdoy (although the o is supposed to have one of these / through it...). Which was cool. We wandered up to where there is a Viking Ship museum. Amazing!! there were 3 repaired viking ships that were used for burial tombs. Some very fascinating pieces that were in pretty good nick considering how old they are!

Anyways, then we managed to catch a bus for free (the driver was the only person we found who did not speak English) back to the city and onto a train back to the Airport and a short flight back home.

All in all a great trip. Really liked Oslo, nice City, cool vibe and friendly!!! :)

Next updates will be Paula's school camp in Normandy and Alex's band trip to Italy. (bets are on as to who will write theirs first!)

Love to all.

P.