Monday 10th May

The day began early with everyone arriving at the school in Jablonné before 8 a.m. We were all warmly welcomed by staff and children. However, the elements were not so friendly and umbrellas were the order of the day, for the short walk to school at least. Soon we were given the morning´s instructions and divided into groups for a tour of the school building. After a refreshment break the children were sorted into two groups. One group went off to start rehearsing the week´s musical production whilst the other group went off to do an art activity based on the "Comenius Tree". At about 10 a.m. the whole school was assembled outside, the weather having improved enough, to sing two songs together with their guests. The first song was Queen´s "Friends will be Friends". Not many people knew this song well enough but we all gave it a good try. The second song was better known and much better performed. It was "We Are The World", made famous by Michael Jackson over 25 years ago. Both songs were chosen for their lyrics which reflected the spirit of the Comenius project. After the singing it was time for speeches. Each team leader was handed the microphone to say a few words to the assembled body. The Czech team leader translated where necessary. Turkey was first to brave the microphone, followed by the Slovaks, the British and finally the Finns.

After this there were visits to lessons for the children and any adults wishing to see more of the classes.
Lunch was provided in the canteen. We had a nice soup and a fish dish with mashed potatoes. Dessert was mixed fruit in syrup. Lunch was followed by tours of the town of Jablonné.

We were shown the plastics factory, Isolit-Bravo, the river Orlici, the old town bridge, the town square including the old Black Bear hotel, the Town Hall, the mayor´s house, a museum, pizzeria and other beautiful buildings. The old church, with its 300 year old spire, was the highlight of the tour.










The priest, Father Pavel, was very kind and he explained about the history of the church. He even let us investigate the old pipe organ and some people, including a certain music teacher, even got to play it! Even better than this was the trip up the steep and creaky wooden steps to the bell tower.















Father Pavel even let us ring the bells whilst standing only a metre and a half from tons of swinging metal. What the people of the town thought about the impromptu bell ringing we do not know.
Refreshment was provided at the museum in the town square: then back to school for more artwork and more music before finishing at 6 p.m.






In the evening the children went home with their hosts and some of the teachers got together for a cycle ride around the outskirts of the town. To be absolutely fair it has to be mentioned that the weather in the afternoon had become warm, dry and sunny for the whole of our tour and for the duration of the early evening before sunset. One piece of worrying news was that an internal flight from Prague to Brno had to be cancelled due to volcanic ash. We will undoubtedly be spending the week studying the sky very closely!