The parties from Czech Republic and Turkey were able to take advantage of some slack time to get in a trip to London. The rest of us had to make do with the programme put together by the author of this post.
Wednesday
Czechs visit London and buy some colourful hats. Everyone else arrived at different times.
Thursday
Once settled in with their host families everyone began to relax a little and the programme got underway with some classroom observation for the visiting children, school tours for the adults, biscuits, tea, coffee and lunch for all. Some children were able to do relevant photography in the grounds of the school and everyone participated in a tree walk around the grounds. Computers were available for communication and for project work.
During the business meeting we decided upon dates and the programme for pen friends exchanges. We all exchanged posters, presentation books and gifts of all descriptions.
On Thursday evening we were treated to a lavish buffet party with each country supplying some entertainment. Everyone enjoyed the food and decorations and some may have enjoyed the entertainment (the author can't really comment since he missed the entertainment - too bad!).
Friday
On the Friday morning we visited Rushall Farm woods where we were given a quick demonstration of the art of thatching whilst the Black Barn was being given a new straw ridge. Inside the Black Barn we were able to see the old oak beams and supports for the roof. The tour of the woodland included a stop at a new hedgerow planting and the charcoal burning site. Unfortunately we were not able to see hazel hurdles being made.
Later in the day we visited the Living Rainforest Centre where we were able to get the feeling of a totally different type of forest and also practise our English skills.
In the evening the adults found solace in a communal pizza meal and visit to a local pub whilst the children were enjoying family life with their hosts.
Saturday
After a small impromptu international football match, somewhere in the Streatley area, we all gathered together for a trip to Oxford, stopping on the way at the Harcourt Arboretum to examine some fine conifer trees and having lunch at the nearby garden centre. At this point we were receiving text messages from friends of the Turkish party who were waiting to see them in Oxford. We finally found our way into the town along overcrowded pavements where we met up with the aforementioned 'texter'. Each country went its own way around the town for a couple of hours, visiting such attractions as Christ Church College and Cathedral (Harry Potter fans take note!), the indoor market, Primark and the Castle. The display of photographs at the Castle was all the more relevant to the Turkish group with a solemn reminder of the fragility of buildings in the grip of the most recent earthquake in that country.
Sunday
Sunday morning got off to a slow start with some people racing around organising departures and lunchtime arrangements whilst others were getting up late and doing things in traditional Sunday style. Eventually we were on the road to Windsor Castle (and shops as it turned out). The castle was still there, of course, but we were pushed around the State Rooms a little too quickly for comfort. The weather was a little depressing at this time and we were happy to get under cover near the shopping centre. Some groups found cover in the gift shops and others were more interested in their stomachs. The people studying the insides of British pubs were not disappointed as there was some waiting around to do.
That evening we said our farewells to the Czech team who had to return a little earlier than the rest.
Monday
Slovaks and Finns took their leave of us around the middle of the day whilst the Turks were doing heavy shopping in London.
Tuesday
The Turks left from Luton at 13:00
By the end of their stay most of the visiting children were beginning to open up and experiment more with their English. As I waved goodbye to the last of them and turned to go I was amazed to hear a loud "See ya!" hurled in my direction by a smiling Özlem (or was it Büşra?).
Back at school it seemed very empty and lacking colour. It is hard to come down from a high such as this meeting.
