Bickley Park School Normandy Trip 2014: 2014

Friday, 24 October 2014

Photos

Click on this link to see photos from the trip: https://www.icloud.com/photostream/#A6GWZuqDGvUFI7.

There are nearly 300 pictures - hope you enjoy them!

On leaving Pegasus Bridge, we went straight to the port of Caën for our ferry to Portsmouth. We were concerned as the weather was bad - wet and windy - and after watching the incoming ferry make several unsuccessful attempts at docking, there was an announcement to say the crossing would be delayed by at least an hour. Eventually we got on board and there was another announcement to say there was a technical fault and there would be a further delay. We left two and a half hours late and it was really rough - the waves crashing against the boat, which was bouncing up and down. Some of us were sick and most of the others felt awful.

We were very pleased to get to Portsmouth but owing to the delay did not get back to school until after 2am. It was a shame that we had such a difficult journey home as the rest of the trip was so great!

Tuesday, 21 October 2014

D-Day

On our way home, we visited a number of places associated with the D-Day landings on 6 June 1944. Firstly at the German cemetery at La Cambe we thought about those on the enemy side and whether they were any less victims than those on the allied side.

Then we called in at the American cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer above Omaha Beach followed by a visit to Arromanche, where a temporary harbour was built and where we saw a 360-degree film about the Normandy landings. One of our boys, who had attended an event for veterans of D-Day at Westminster Abbey last week, took a message and photos from one of the veterans to the ladies in the tourist information office in Arromanches. Lastly we stopped off at Pegasus Bridge which was taken by British airmen the night before D-Day.

Monday, 20 October 2014

Mont Saint-Michel

Today's main visit was to the world-famous fortifications on Mont Saint-Michel where we climbed all the way to the Abbey at the top and had a surprise meeting with Mr and Mrs Cash and Mr and Mrs James.

Max said that firstly it looks like Hogwarts and at the top it's like having a bird's eye view of the surroundings. Rohan says it was a great experience and it was great to learn about another nation's history.

We stopped off at a French supermarket on the way back - Joseph says it was giant compared to shops in England so that means a bigger spending spree.

Sunday, 19 October 2014

Back at the Château

A few pictures of activities on Sunday afternoon and evening, including some great entertainment in "Normandy's Got Talent"!

Cherbourg

Today's activities have been at an attraction called "Cité de la Mer" in the port of Cherbourg. This included going aboard the "Redoutable" (a decommissioned nuclear submarine), a virtual underwater experience, an aquarium and a Titanic experience. Washable said it was amazing and extraordinary, Josh said we got to freeze our hands off when we were touching the rays and Edward said it was fascinating.

Saturday, 18 October 2014

Goat farm

We spent the afternoon at the goat farm at La Saffrie, which is run by Monsieur Martin. He gave us a talk (in French!) about the farm and how he keeps and rears his goats. We then got to go into the goat shed and they were all round us. We even got to milk a goat called Jonqille (which means Daffodil). Josh said the goats kept biting his shirt, George nearly got eaten alive by one of the goats, Theo thought it was a really amazing and unique experience and Addison thought the goat farm was really amazing - it was quite exciting and also quite cute but a bit scary because the goats chased after him!

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Bayeux

Fabulous weather in Bayeux where we visited the market, the Cathedral and, of course, the world-famous Tapestry. We then had our lunch in the glorious sunshine. Josh says the market was interesting, Oscar says the cathedral was huge and Harvey's reaction to the Tapestry was to be amazed at how they could do all that work at that time.

British Cemetery, Bayeux

Our first stop today was at the British Cemetery where many of the fallen from the D-Day landings are buried. The boys were genuinely moved and several found soldiers who shared their names. Dylan says it was sad but good to see family together. Lukas said it was moving.

Arrival

We arrived safe and sound at Château du Perron, our accommodation for the next few days. The boys think it's "big, amazing, absolutely brilliant and a bit creepy!"