Panorama, and thank you

Many thanks to all the parents for helping the trip admin run smoothly by being so prompt with payments and paperwork this year, and for turning up promptly to deliver and collect the offspring at the beginning and end.  Thanks also to the pupils, of course, for making the trip go largely uneventfully.

Here's a final panorama of the lake from Thursday evening.  Well done to Toby, Eamonn and Ryan for managing to photobomb twice in the same shot (witchcraft ...).

No Photoshop; this is exactly as shot.

Travel updates

I'll add updates here.

Final ETA 15:25

13:23  (BST):  Just left Dover in coach.  On schedule.  ETA  15:30

12:17 (French time).  Ferry under weigh.

11:14 (French time).  Very fast through passport control, now waiting for about an hour to board the ferry.  All running to plan.

The final evening

Songs, a bit of interesting dancing, toasted marshmallows and ghost stories around the camp-fire on our final evening to round off a very good few days at Ardres.

Washing up

We ran out of washers-up on our rota, so Will and Ryan volunteered to help out as well.  They wish me to point out to their mothers that this might not be a regular occurrence.

Ice cream mission accomplished

This afternoon the second half of the group paddled over the lake to sample the ice creams of M. Sigler.  I have plenty of photos on my camera, and a huge gallery will be uploaded after we get back.  I can only upload a few from my phone now as the wi-fi on site isn't very good.

Kayaking

Getting ready for a kayaking session on the lake.

High ropes

Crate stack and the leap of faith are on the menu today.

Kata-kanu

This is a sort of catamaran canoe and all the children had a go on them today, two groups this afternoon to cross the lake to sample M. Sigler's excellent ice creams.  The other two groups will cross on kayaks to visit him tomorrow.  I'll try to blog ice cream photos tomorrow.

Climbing wall

Today's sessions also include the climbing wall, which is always popular.  When I popped over, Eva shot up it in under 15 seconds and several others were also really quick.

Surveying the lake

Eamonn and Harrison checking the lake before breakfast earlier today.  Eamonn doesn't usually have a lamp post growing out of his head, I should point out.  Sometimes it's a tree ...

Caving!

There is a new caving activity at Ardres this year.  How do you install a cave system?  you may reasonably ask.  The answer is that you tow it in as it's integrated onto a trailer and seems to be made from fibreglass.  It doesn't look too thrilling from the outside, but the staff predictions that it's really good when you try it seem to be true and the children are really enjoying it.

Raft build

Two teams of four are each given four barrels, four ropes and two large poles.  From these they are taught how to tie figure of eight, half hitch and overhand knots to lash the barrels together and make a raft, which they then paddle about on the lake until it falls apart.

All kitted up

All sorted and ready for a session of canoeing.

Photos from yesterday

The breeze on the ferry was "refreshing"

On arrival at the campsite, we were given a brief tour of the site.

Getting ready

Two groups getting ready for activities on the lake this morning, as the weather clears up.

Test

Trying to find a way to post photos ...

All arrived

Arrived on site, just having a tour.

Arrived

We are now off the ferry and driving to Ardres.

On traverse La Manche

We are on the ferry and under weigh.  All running to schedule so far.

Ardres 2019: Ready for the off

All ready to gather at school at 6:30 tomorrow morning.  Keep an eye on this blog for updates, photos and any changes to the expected return time on Friday.