The Madrid 2009 exchange group.It is Thursday morning, 19th March 2009. The sun rising over Strensall. All is quiet at Robert Wilkinson VC Primary School. Suddenly our senses are awakened by the sound of sizzling bacon and the soft aroma of coffee wafting from the school kitchen. Something must be happening? This is not an ordinary day. The excitement is brewing as children start to arrive laiden with luggage. The Madrid trip is about to begin. Em not a bad opening Mr Lees! Not sure whether I could achieve Level 5!
Sixteen children and their parents gather in the Brown Hall from 7.30 am. Thanks to Mrs Tottie who has been busy making breakfast and Mr Ludlow’s packed lunch. Better to forget that rather than the passports. Now where did I put the passports? Joking!
The journey on the coach was without hitch. A Harry Potter movie played keeping the children amused whilst giving Mr Ludlow the opportunity to have a snooze! The first “How long will it be?” came from Resul at 10.20 am. Not bad Resul you lasted an hour and a half, only another seven hours to go!! We stopped off at a service station for an impromptu Happy Birthday cake for Katrina. Thank you Miss McHolm. The children hit the shop. Why go to Madrid when you could spend your money in the motorway services? Mr Ludlow’s Bank was opened for Theo. I want my money back Theo, shame the interest rates are so low! Grant, who wins the competition for forgetting all his toiletries, purchased the latest item in fashion, a toothbrush! And Mr Evans purchased some intellectual reading material! The Sun!
Mrs Gibbon, Chair of Governors, wishing the group well.
Arrival at Liverpool Airport:
“We all live in a yellow submarine, a yellow submarine, a yellow submar..” , STOP singing Mr Ludlow! The team gathered around the Yellow Submarine sculpture for yet another group photo. With some great enthusiastic singing by William and Jayden. A history lesson was had by all as Mr Evans explained that once upon a time, in the olden days there was a group of singers that had an amazing impact on music, the group was called Abba. Whoops! Rewind! It must be the Christmas X-Factor experience that has gone to his head. The statue of John Lennon in the check-in hall was a clue. Yes, another opportunity for a group photo shoot. Everyone appreciated the musical history lesson of the Beatles and after two minutes headed off to have lunch. Manuela, Miss McHolm, Miss Dean and Mrs Leigh tucked into healthy snacks and sandwiches. Well our joint curriculum theme is on healthy lifestyles. Mr Evans obliged by agreeing to be the control study group member and tucked into sausage, egg and chips. We will be keeping a close watch to see which members of staff put on most weight. Now as for travel tips, we have discovered that Stephanie and Alex are the ones to ask. The quote of the day from Alex is that, “less is more!” and Stephanie can give an extensive detailed analysis of packing techniques. All the children and most staff safely went through security, no liquids, that is except Mr Ludlow. Mrs Lobb did a great job making sure he had everything needed for emergencies, including the small sachets of liquid to clean wounds. It was almost like a Mr Bean film, one security guard gets another, twenty questions and then finally they let him through. Was this a plot to leave him behind?
Arrival in Madrid:
All was going so well, famous last words! We arrived safely, collected bags and off we went to the metro. Unfortunately, we became victims of a pick pocket. We think it happened whilst gathering at the ticket barrier. Mrs Leigh´s bag was undone and her groups passports and her personal money was stolen (parents have been contacted of children that are involved). But the show goes on. Whilst travelling to the Youth Hostel plans were in place to report the loss and to work out how to get emergency passports. We arrived safely at the Youth Hostel and were greeted by the Spanish staff which was wonderful to see. We were a few minutes late because Mr Ludlow took a short detour. Next time please read the map Mr Ludlow! The children settled into their luxury apartment with Resul making frequent visits to the drinks and sweet machine wearing away the marble staircase.
Now off to VIPS, a dining experience not to be missed, except if you are a romantic couple sharing a special moment at the adjacent table! The children sat down to a quiet meal, well if that’s possible with eight boys conducting balloon experiments and girls concocting revolting mixtures with ice-cream , sauces and salt. The romantic couple enjoyed every moment!
A lovely finish to a busy day culminated in a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday Katrina with cake and candles to send us to bed and hopefully a good nights sleep.
