Just chilling

Being sophisticated on the ferry.

Spotting boats in the fog

Clem, Rory and Mr B take a stroll on deck.

On the ferry.

Currently on traverse La Manche.  Et on mange ...

On the ferry ...

Just a couple of shots that I didn't manage to upload when we were crossing La Manche.

I am working on making the usual large album of photos, and a link will be posted in the next day or two.  Watch this space ...

Nearly there.

After a very flat ferry crossing, we are on our way to Ardres.

Ardres 15: Travel information etc.

I received some details at the end of the week from Acorn about bags. They recommend packing one soft bag of maximum size 40x50x70cm, max weight 20kg.  That is actually quite large and if your bag is smaller and the sleeping bag doesn't fit inside, please make sure that you name the bag containing the sleeping bag as they can easily get mixed up.  I do have one luggage label for each person.  One small piece of hand luggage and the pillow is recommended to be carried inside the coach, but put the pillow in the main bag if you prefer (and it fits!).  Please bring some food and water.  Acorn have confirmed that the first meal at Ardres will be in the evening, so the children will need to bring their own packed lunch (not to be eaten on the coach!).

I heard one of the children mention on Friday the intention to travel in a onesie.  This would not be acceptable!  The headmaster has reminded the pupils that they are representing the College, particularly when travelling on the public ferry, and they do need to be acceptably dressed.  The trip clothing would be ideal as it would make it easier for the staff to spot the pupils.  (Any clothing not collected on Friday will be given out on Monday morning).

Please make sure that any medicines which need to be taken regularly are handed to a member of staff with clear instructions about doses and times.  Thanks to those parents who have already emailed me with instructions.  Pupils requiring inhalers should also bring adequate numbers and we would recommend giving staff a spare, labelled one.

I have been checking the weather forecast and it has been getting gradually more optimistic,  now predicting plenty of sunshine on Tuesday and Wednesday in particular, with probably a nice breeze (for the sailing activity).  This is excellent but does mean that the children are likely to be outdoors in the sunshine all day with limbs and faces poking out  -  hopefully getting tanned rather than burned, so please bring some high factor waterproof sunblock.

Good news regarding tents.  I have been in touch with Acorn and they are able to let us have a couple of extra tents since the other adjacent village is not occupied, and this gives us a bit more flexibility.  I have been able to accommodate people's wishes (although there are some conflicting requests!) and we can hopefully be fairly flexible with those who did not express a preference as we do not have to squeeze everybody in to fill all the tents.  I will be discussing and finalising the arrangements with some people during Monday's journey.

We will have five groups for the activities and these will be announced and finalised on arrival.

Whenever we need to collect everyone together and check people, the pupils will need to report to the member of staff listed below.  There is no need to stay together in these groups, they are simply to allow us to tick everyone off on our lists efficiently. I have given Mr Ritchie all the girls (since he is not likely to know pupils and this will make it easier), and the others have been arranged alphabetically.  Please report to this person on arrival on Monday morning.

Mr Ritchie
Saffron Ahern, Bebe Bernstein, Aimee Cheeseman, Lilia Erskine, Rebecca Hemingway, Maddie Marinko Maechler, Amber Spicer, Lili Veness

Mr Batstone
Thomas Adlam, Finley Allen, George Cameron, Mackenzie Cannon, Ben Christie, Henry Clark, Michael Cunningham, Josh Davison, Luca Falletti

Mr Court
Beau Fletcher, Max Gausden, Martin Green, Ethan Highwood, Jonny Hood, Moctar Johnson, Llewy Jones, Alfie Lucas, Charlie Metcalfe, Eden Montrose

Ms Morgan
Joe O'Dell, William Orams, Harry Parker, Oliver Patey, Thomas Prate, Torin Seagrove, Dylan Shane, Matthew Sharp, Alfie Simpson

Mrs Salih
Levi Smith, Zachary Tarry, Harry Taswell, Patrick Taylor, Jack Teale, Svante Wallseth, Fred Wilson, Tom Wootton, Oscar Worley

I look forward to seeing you all at 6.30 on Monday morning.  Please drive in to the College car park and avoid parking in St Julian's Lane as the coach is likely to need the space in the road to manoeuvre.

Ardres 2015: Travel Itinerary

This is hopefully the final version of the itinerary. Any updates will, of course, be posted. Also, watch this space for updated return times.

Monday 25th May 2015 Outward journey

06:30 Arrive at Shoreham College to register and load the coach
07:00 Depart from Shoreham College
09:15 Arrive at Dover DFDS ferry terminal
10:15 Depart from Dover
12:45 Arrive at Calais, disembark in coach, head to Ardres
13:30 Arrive at the activity centre in Ardres

Please note that a packed lunch will be required, as the first meal provided is in the evening.

Friday 29th May 2015 Return journey

11:30 Depart from the Ardres activity centre
12:30 Arrive at DFDS terminal, Calais
13:30 Depart from Calais
14:00 Arrive at Dover, disembark in coach, head back to Shoreham
16:30 Arrive back at Shoreham College

All times quoted are local times, i.e. times in France are an hour ahead.

I will be able to update this blog via smartphone during the journey if there are any alterations to the expected return time, so it would be a good idea to watch out for updates on the Friday.

Alpe d'Huez Ski Trip 2014: Kit List

This is the basic list that has been emailed to parents.  We are expecting the resort to be snowy and the weather when skiing will be cold, so the thermal base layers and really good gloves will be important.

We don't recommend taking mobile phones and other expensive electronic paraphernalia as some of it always gets lost.  The staff will not have time to look for lost gadgets, so please only bring things that are heavily insured or that you are prepared to risk losing.  If pupils do bring mobile phones, we will be asking for their numbers.  If parents want to speak to a member of staff during the trip, one of us will have the College mobile phone, the number of which is 07854 983257.

General:

Normal everyday clothes for wearing around the hotel
Normal washing equipment for use in the hotel
Nightwear
Towel
Swimming kit (in case a visit to the local pool is arranged)
Outdoor clothes and suitable footwear for use in snowy conditions
Hats, scarves, gloves etc.

For the skiing:

Thermal base layers
T-shirts, sweatshirts
Salopettes or ski trousers
Ski socks (several pairs)
Ski jacket
Ski gloves
Ski goggles
Balaclava or thermal face protection would be useful
(We will be wearing helmets, so most hats will not fit inside)
Ski goggles (normal sunglasses are not appropriate)
Sun cream, lip balm

We will have medical kit with us, but if pupils require us to look after any medical requirements whilst away, please clearly name and hand to a member of staff.  Mr Edlin and Mrs Liley both hold current first aid certificates.

Equipment provided at Alpe d'Huez:

Ski boots
Ski poles
Skis
Helmet

Happy packing and please remember that there are airline restrictions on luggage. You may find this link to the British Airways website useful (please copy & paste into your browser):

http://www.britishairways.com/en-gb/information/baggage-essentials/checked-baggage-allowances

Arrived

All safely arrived and installed in the hotel. About to have lunch. Mr Edlin and Mr Court slightly amused to be in Room 101.

On our way up

The flight ran to schedule and we are now on our way up the mountains in the coach.

Alpe d'Huez Ski Trip 2013: Final Details

STAFF: MR COURT, MR EDLIN AND MRS LILEY

TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS:

OUT BOUND:  SATURDAY 14^TH DECEMBER 2013

To meet at the Departures drop off point at Gatwick Airport  NORTH Terminal at 3.30AM.

CHECK IN: 04.05

FLIGHT NO TO GRENOBLE:  EZY8941                         FLIGHT TIME: 06.05

INBOUND:  SATURDAY 21^ST DECEMBER 2013

FLIGHT NO FROM GRENOBLE:  EZY8942                   FLIGHT TIME: 07.25

ARRIVE GATWICK: 10:00AM

PLEASE COLLECT FROM ARRIVALS  (inside the airport) at 10.30AM

Please note that the airport/airlines have very tight restrictions on liquids and creams/pastes in hand luggage, so please pack any such items into the suitcase and also make sure there are no scissors or pointed objects in the hand luggage or pockets. It is a good idea to have a pair of ski socks in hand luggage as sometimes we have a ski fit on arrival before unpacking suitcases.

Ski bound state that pupils are permitted one medium sized case and one item of hand luggage with a combined weight of 20kgs.  Excess baggage charges are very high, so please be careful.

EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBER: 07854 983257

This will be manned 24hrs.

HOTEL ADDRESS:

Belle Aurore Clubhotel

Route du Signal

Alpe d’Huez 38750

France

Contact Number : 0033476803317

Ardres 2013: Travel Itinerary

This is hopefully the final version of the itinerary.  Any updates will, of course, be posted.  Also, watch this space for updated return times.

Monday 27th May 2013   Outward journey
05:45   Arrive at Shoreham College to register and load the coach to leave by 06:15
09:15   Arrive at Dover DFDS ferry terminal
10:15   Depart from Dover
12:45   Arrive at Calais, disembark in coach, head to Ardres
13:45   Arrive at the activity centre in Ardres

Please note that a packed lunch will be required, as the first meal provided is in the evening.

Friday 31st May 2013   Return journey
09:00   Depart from the Ardres activity centre
10:00   Arrive at DFDS terminal, Calais
11:00   Depart from Calais
11:30   Arrive at Dover, disembark in coach, head back to Shoreham
14:30   Arrive back at Shoreham College

All times quoted are local times, i.e. times in France are an hour ahead.

I will be able to update this blog via smartphone during the journey if there are any alterations to the expected return time, so it would be a good idea to watch out for updates on the Friday.

Tignes 2012: Travel Itinerary

We have now received all the details about the travel arrangements.  Any updates will be posted here.  Please watch this blog for any delays or alterations to return times.

Saturday 15th December 2012   Outward journey
04:10   Arrive at Shoreham College to register and load the coach to leave by 04:30
05:35   Check-in at Gatwick North Terminal
07:35   Depart from Gatwick, flight BA2736 for Geneva
10:10   Arrive at Geneva, collect luggage, board coach and depart for Tignes
14:55   (approx) Arrive at Tignes

Please note that a packed lunch will be required, as the first meal provided is in the evening, although there will be a breakfast of some sort on the plane.  We suggest buying a bottle of water at the airport after passing through security checks.

Saturday 22nd December 2012   Return journey
05:05   Depart from Tignes
09:05   Check in at Geneva airport
11:05   Depart from Geneva, flight BA2737 for Gatwick
11:40   Arrive at Gatwick, collect luggage, board coach and depart for Shoreham
13:30   Arrive back at Shoreham College

All times quoted are local times, i.e. times in France are an hour ahead.
Hotel Address: Clubhotel Curling, Val Claret, Tignes 73220, France.

I will be able to update this blog via smartphone during the journey if there are any alterations to the expected return time, so it would be a good idea to watch out for updates on the Saturday.

Ardres 2012: Travel Itinerary

This is hopefully the final version of the itinerary.  Any updates will, of course, be posted.  Also, watch this space for updated return times.

Monday 4th June 2012   Outward journey
05:45   Arrive at Shoreham College to register and load the coach to leave by 06:15
09:15   Arrive at Dover P&O Ferry terminal
10:15   Depart from Dover
12:45   Arrive at Calais, disembark in coach, head to Ardres
13:30   Arrive at the activity centre in Ardres

Please note that a packed lunch will be required, as the first meal provided is in the evening.

Friday 8th June 2012   Return journey
08:00   Depart from the Ardres activity centre
09:00   Arrive at DFDS terminal, Dunkirk
10:00   Depart from Dunkirk
11:00   Arrive at Dover, disembark in coach, head back to Shoreham
14:00   Arrive back at Shoreham College

All times quoted are local times, i.e. times in France are an hour ahead.

I will be able to update this blog via smartphone during the journey if there are any alterations to the expected return time, so it would be a good idea to watch out for updates on the Friday.