Germany 2002

In July 2002 I took part in a school trip to Germany. A group of about 40 students and 5 teachers stayed for a week in the pleasant country town of Weisskirchen in the Saarland region and I have to say that it was a very pleasant way to end a school year

The Youth Hostel that we stayed in provided simple but comfortable food and accommodation including facilities for playing table tennis and football. Our diet was supplemented by visits to the local ice cream parlour in the evening.

The students were kept active during the visit. We swam twice in the nearby pool complex, (once to avoid getting wet in the rain!) and on two occasions we went on long walks in the evening. There were also opportunities to try out the local sport of ninepin bowling, tobogganing, a ride on a chair lift and visits to the local towns for shopping and sightseeing.

On the Monday we had chance to experience the atmosphere as the world famous, Tour de France, cycle race passed through the village.

On the last evening we had a relaxed meal at an Italian restaurant in Weisskirchen.

I think that it's fair to say that a good time was had by all. Obviously there were a few ups and downs but both staff and students got on well most of the time.

The parts of Germany that I've been fortunate enough to visit have been very beautiful and interesting places. There is some outstanding scenery and the architecture of the buildings is sufficiently different to what I'm used to in England to be worth a look