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!

Sunday 9th May

The English party, hosteled in the Stare Mesto or Old Town, went in search of breakfast on a sunny morning in the Czech capital but found that, despite the large numbers of people converging on the area from where the city´s marathon (15000 entries) was shortly to start, restaurant owners were having their usual Sunday lie-in; even the market stall holders were only just beginning to set up. We eventually found an Italian cafe open and enjoyed a continental breakfast amidst the runners warming up.

We returned to our hotel to meet Radka, a friend of one of our pupils, who had come up to the capital solely to act as our guide, without expecting to find the way to Wenceslas Square, where we were to meet the Finnish party, blocked by the race. We had to dash beneath the cordon and between the runners in order to progress, and did so under the eye of the Czech TV camera broadcasting the action. The rather intimidating-looking Czech police ignored us--school parties have a strange immunity at times! So we were able to march up the square, actually a long, broad, tree-lined street full of surprisingly English stores like M & S, to meet the Finns beneath the famous statue in front of the Museum. With them was the Czech teacher Petr, who was acting as their guide.

Cordial greetings were exchanged and the decision taken to get day travel tickets and catch a tram to the tower commonly known as the Mini-Eiffel. But neither Petr nor Radka had bargained on the marathon, and the tram had to be abandoned once we realised the right number was taking us in the wrong direction!

A long day´s walking ensued; but if you are ever going to walk all day round a European capital, choose Prague in the spring. The forecast rain held off, live bands played for the runners on what seemed every street corner, and on roads with more segways than cars running, we made our way with cameras clicking frequently through this most scenic of cities. Children not usually moved by British architecture were commenting on the beauty of the buildings, by turns colourful, grand, classically-proportioned and wonderfully decorated, some with murals, some with statues, and most with lovely examples of stonework. We walked up the hill (some took the cable car) to the imitation-Eiffel Tower at the top, followed by 299 steps for those who wanted the best view--more cameras clicking, accompanied by gasps which may have been in astonishment at the panorama unfolding, or may simply have been due to shortage of breath.

Even greater beauties lay in store for us than the view of spires, treetops, red-tiled roofs and the Vltava curving between the magnificent riverside buildings could afford. After a light but leisurely meal we made our way down to the still high castle and cathedral. Just when you might have thought you could not see a more attractive set of large buildings anywhere, you turned a corner and each new street seem to surpass the ones before. Cobbled streets, the absence of traffic, steep and narrow alleys disappearing down towards the river, incredibly-detailed carving and artwork on the walls, ornate iron fountains--and still we had not arrived at the jewels in the crown! I had to replace my camera batteries by the time we arrived at the castle, with a quartet playing classical music nearby and the blue-uniformed guards changing conveniently for us just after we showed up.

The castle is hugely impressive. Parts are in daily use as government offices, yet tourists wander freely around in both senses of the word, posing for photos and tossing coins into the fountain and the well. We had already seen more civic beauty than most cities could afford in their entirety, when we entered St. Vitus´ Cathedral, which simply took our breath away. One glory followed another in quick succession: the stained glass windows--I had never seen such an accumulation of colours tumbling over and into each other in patterns of vitality and passion--the huge arches, the ornately decorated tombs, the magnificent paintings, the beautiful statues and the quiet sacred corners. It was a very moving experience just to be here. Our time in the Czech republic had barely begun, and already it felt like a great privilege to be part of it.

Our first visit to Prague was nearing its close and it was time for us to collect our suitcases and to take the tram to the railway station. Meanwhile Petr was off to the airport to meet the Turkish team and to bring them to the airport too. Eventually three nationalities and our Czech guide were on the train for the one hour fifty minute journey to the nearest mainline station to our destination. The team from Slovakia and a fleet of cars was waiting for us. Jablonné was only thirty kilometres away so, although it was quite late, it was not unbearably so.

Fourth International Project Meeting - Czech Republic. 10th - 15th May 2010

The final project meeting is taking place in Jablonné nad Orlici in the Czech Republic. The team from Finland began their journey as early as 3 a.m. on the Saturday morning (8/5/2010). The team from England also started on the Saturday but much later. Both teams stayed in hotels in Prague and met up on Sunday morning for a joint tour of the city.

The Turkish and Slovak teams were making their preparations to travel on the Sunday.

The kids write on Thursday just before the journey:


Only two days to the departure to Czech Republic.
I am excited because this is my first trip by plane.
The flight departs on Saturday at six in the morning from Oulu airport.
I hope that the week will be awesome.

I'm very excited about the trip and I'm happy because I can go to Czech Republic
with one of my best friends. I have talked a lot with our lady of the house,
Veronika. I’m not scared of anything, because my friend is there with me. I
think it is amazing to have moss growing on itself!!! I will wake up on
Saturday at half past three. I can't wait!

I'm really excited about the trip. It's amazing and really great that I can go
to this trip and my best friend will come too! :)
We have to hope that the weather is going to be better, because now it's quite
rainy... My lady of the house is really nice. I will wake up at half past three
on Saturday, because the flight is going to leave at six o’clock from Oulu.
The trip is maybe the best thing of this year.. .:)

I am so excited about the trip that my hands are shaking already. I’m really
looking forward to meeting Simka. I can’t wait to taste some new foods. I hope
that I won’t forget any important items in Finland. I also hope that the
weather will be good in Prague.


I’m looking forward to visiting Prague and Jablonne. I am very excited about the
journey.
I hope that I will get some new friends. I’m going to pack my bags on Thursday.
I’m looking forward to meeting Simona. I hope that the weather will be great.
I'm looking forward to tasting Czech food.


I’m a little bit excited but happy. I haven't packed yet. So I need to pack my
bag.
The flight takes off at 6.00 so I have to wake up at 4.00 on Saturday. I think
the flight goes well and we will arrive at Prague in time. So we are waiting
for the journey here in Finland.



I feel good before the journey and I am really looking forward to it. I am not
excited but I am happy and happy. I think I have to wake up at six every
morning in Jablonne, BUT I am very happy.
I have packed my clothes and other things.

Hello dear friends!

Busy days before the journey to Czech. We are eagerly waiting for the departure, wishing that the volcanic ashcloud doesn't hinder it. Janne and I are sipping the English Chai tea and remembering Ian and the rest of the Comenius group. We wanted you also to see our pictures from our trip to Turkey and feel the warmth and friendliness once again.

It is nearly one year ago we had hectic, exciting moments. Is everything ready on time, what else can we do and prepare? We were enthusiastic about the fact that we would have you all - friends from far away - up here in the north as our guests. Thinking back to that time brings back warm and friendly memories of spending time together. On one occation, evening, the children painted their hand and pressed it on a piece of cloth. Now this is made into a fine remembrance of togetherness and friendship by Leena Hekkanen, our teacher. A new Comenius tree is reminding us of that time indoors while the snow covers the ground and it is -31. In the picture you can see Arttu who was in Turkey and Kaisa who will travel to Czech in May.

UK Woodland Seasons (Chapter 5 - Winter)

Days are short and the air is cold. Under a blanket of snow life goes on unnoticed.

Green plants are pushing their way up through the soil just waiting for the snow to melt.

Above ground the branches of the trees are bare and what light there is finds its way to the woodland floor unimpeded.

When the snow is gone we find a sea of golden-brown leaves and very little obvious greenery.

However, by the end of January there is a significant number of identifiable green leaves appearing and the Snowdrops are beginning to come to life, some even in flower already.

A quick look at the tree buds at the end of January shows a few beginning to swell, such as Beech and Sycamore. Hazel catkins are a little under-developed but ready to turn yellow at any minute.

On our calcareous soil the seed heads of Traveler's Joy coat the outsides of some trees and bushes in white wool. This contrasts with the dark green of the Holly trees.



If green leaves are in short supply then the green of countless colonies of moss becomes much more noticeable.








Several fallen trees give a rare opportunity to glimpse into the top of a canopy and here we find a surprising amount of colour, with colonies of lichens.
















The amount of water falling as rain or snow has allowed the logs on the ground to get a good soaking. This will greatly accelerate the rotting process.


Mammals have been busy too and everywhere there are signs of recent activity, like this Rabbit latrine.