Listen Intently

Palace of Westminster

We happened to be standing next to Westminster Palace (the Houses of Parliament) at 11:00, so we got to hear Big Ben chime 11 times (Big Ben is not the name of tower, as many people think, it’s just the nickname for the bell).  Today was a day full of walking–a guided tour along the Thames from the London Eye, around Westminster Palace, into Westminster Abbey, then to St. James Park for our sack lunch.

With Zain in Churchill's War Rooms

A surprise for the gang, fellow student Zain joined us at the park for the remainder of the afternoon.  We all went into the Churchill War Rooms, where we got to see the underground bunker and working area from World War II.  A great interactive table displays dates and events from throughout history, if you find the right dates, the table reacts (like bombs falling or poppies appearing).

The walking continued up to Trafalgar Square (dedicated in honour of Admiral Nelson), Leicester Square (where many major motion pictures have their London premieres), and into Piccadilly Circus (a smaller Times Square).  Some shopping was enjoyed before we reboarded the coaches to return to Charterhouse.

Tomorrow is an on-campus day and then it’s off to on Thursday to Leeds Castle and Canterbury.

Tags: Big Ben, England, London, Piccadilly Circus, westminster

Roman Baths and Bath Abbey

All this water, and not a drop to drink.  It’s a bit green, anyway.  And old.  Today our visit was to the city of Bath, stopping first at the Roman Baths built at the site of the hot spring discovered over 2000 years ago.

Main Bath

One-hundred-fifteen degree water, and the incredible engineering of the Romans impress, but once through the tour, everyone enjoyed the shops, pasties, and street performers just as much. The sun was shining and the streets were hopping.

“One of the most impressive things I’ve seen on the trip,” said Ben.

Across the Salisbury Plains to the ancient Stonehenge, our day concluded with an audio guided tour around the rocks.  We sure wish we could have touched them, but they keep you on the paths far away these days.

Stonehenge

Still, something to say that you’ve seen it, and been there.  The plains of Salisbury are quite beautiful, and the weather was about perfect.

Did I mention the pasties?  Yum.

Tomorrow, a very busy day.  A guided tour of Westminster, including Westminster Abbey, then it’s Churchill’s Cabinet War Rooms, Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus.  Plus a surprise.  We’re gonna make it a great day.

Tags: bath, England, roman, stonehenge

At the Globe

Shakespeare, a dabbling of modern art, and a trip the Henry VIII’s Hampton Court Palace filled the day on Saturday.  We ventured into the square mile that is the City of London, near St. Paul’s Cathedral, to walk across the Millennium Bridge (you know, the bridge they blew up in the Harry Potter movie) and tour Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre.  A nice guided tour and an opportunity to see what the view from the perspective of the groundling as well as from the first and second tier of seats.  We didn’t have to stand through a play this time, thankfully.

The weather has taken a turn for the better, and it was pleasant to sit outside the Tate Modern and have lunch on the grass.  A quick trip into the Tate Modern to see the great entry hall (the building is an old power station, and the enormous turbine room is the grand entrance into the modern art museum) as well as a some modern art.

The entire ISCA group at Hampton Court

Then something new for me, we ventured to King Henry VIII’s Hampton Court Palace, where the students had significant free time to explore such things as the King’s apartment, Queen Mary II’s apartment, the kitchens, and then the glorious gardens, including a maze.  The palace is home to “the vine”–a grape vine planted in 1768.

Today was an on-campus day, where the students learned about cricket, fives and squash, among other things.  Tomorrow it’s off to Bath and Stonehenge.

Tags: Globe, Hampton Court, Henry VII, London, Shakespeare, Tate Modern

At the HMS Victory

Apparently, people who work in museums have this stereotype that everyone who is under the age of 19 will soon be causing significant damage and heartache.  Because several times already this trip, I’ve received notices like “YOU WILL KEEP YOUR STUDENTS UNDER CONTROL AT ALL TIMES” when we enter museums around here.  I feel like Mad Eye Moody.  CONSTANT VIGILANCE.

Sigh.  By and large, the students and adults of the ISCA program are incredibly well behaved.  Much better behaved, to be honest, than the people working at the London Eye the other day and at the Royal Naval Museum today.  Adults can drive me nuts, sometimes.  Give kids some credit, they can do amazing things if you let them have the chance.

Well, that said, this adult (yours truly) cannot operate an elevator.  I’m pushing the button, why aren’t these doors closing?  I gave up.  And tried to walk away looking non-chalant and all that.  But my students didn’t quite get the hint.  They stayed in the elevator, laughing and making a scene.  And the glare from the security guard was pretty fierce.

Commanding attention at the Naval Museum

We experienced the HMS Victory today, as well as the Royal Naval Museum in Portsmouth.  The HMS Victory was Admiral Nelson’s ship in the Battle of Trafalgar, and is still an active vessel (well, it’s in dry dock, really, but it is on the active roster) in the British Royal Navy.  Over 200 years old, the tour showed us life on boat a sailing vessel in the 1800’s.  Amazing.   We took in the huge guns, the tiny hammocks and a true understanding of “mind your head” when walking down the stairs.

After touring the Victory, I attempted to take our group into a section of the museum where several figureheads from British vessels were on display.  They may not remember much of the figureheads, but they will remember the overzealous security guard and the elevator that just wouldn’t go up.

Arundel Castle

A short coach ride later, we found ourselves at the home of the Duke of Norfolk, Arundel Castle.  The castle was founded in 1067 by William the Conquerer, although much of it was rebuilt in the 1870’s.  The tour of the Castle included the armory, the private chapel, the bedroom furnished for Queen Victoria and the original 11th Century Keep.

The wind today continued to howl.  These high sustained winds are unusual for England, especially in the summer.  The temperature was a bit warmer today, and the sun was out at times, but the wind kept us all huddling under jackets and cover.  As I write this (midnight local time), the winds have subsided.  Thankfully, better weather awaits us tomorrow into London, or so the forecasters say.

I’ve added another teacher’s website to our blog list.  The Woodward Academy group is also blogging, check out their blog here.

Tags: Arundel, Castle, England, HMS Victory, isca, Portsmouth

Blustery.  That describes this morning’s weather.  A chill in the air, strong gusty winds, and a combination of rain and sprinkles.  It actually was dry in the beginning, but then during the morning sports session, the rain arrived.  Troopers were all of the kids, they didn’t want to stop playing soccer and rugby, they wanted to play on and on.  “Be careful,” says Tom, “it’s a bit slippy and slidey out there!”

The rains left during lunch and the sun came out to make it a much more enjoyable afternoon. The winds did not, steady high winds lasted throughout the day.

On the on-campus days, the students learn about and play English sports including cricket, rugby and hockey.  I’ve put up several photos from the day, check them out by clicking on the England Photos link on the right.

Tomorrow it’s off to Portsmouth and Arundel, to visit the HMS Victory and Arundel Castle.  The weather is supposed to take a turn for the dryer and warmer, let’s hope that proves true!

Tags: England, isca, on campus