July 5: They're baaackkk!!!
The team has just landed (there was a flight delay in London). You should expect to start arriving at MRHS around 4:30 pm. I know you are all as excited as I am to have our guys and gals home in the USA!:)
July 5: Leaving on a jet plane...
The team has already boarded a plane bound for home! I'll send another message once they have landed to let you know what time to arrive at MRHS to pick them up. Another successful venture across the pond!
July 3:
Today started with free time along the southbank of London and then off to Queen's residence at Windsor Palace. After dinner, students were treated to street performers at Covenant Garden. They also walked to Trafalgar Square and Number 10 Downing Street. The kids are having a blast!
Tomorrow, students will be able to see the Globe Theater, London Tower, and be treated to a play.
July 2: LONDON!
The team had a bus tour of London today followed by a trip over to the London Eye. They will embark on a cruise of the Thames River and each dinner. Tomorrow, they will visit Covenant Garden. London is wonderful!
July 1:
Today, the team was able to get a tour of Edinburgh Castle as well as the Royal Mile. While touring the Royal Mile, the students were able to participate in a photo scavenger hunt. The Queen was also in town, but her schedule prohibited the team from a face to face:). Most likely by now, (10:36 in Wales), the team is on their way by train to London.
June 30: What a day!
The morning text (10:00 am in Wales) alerted me that our team was standing in the home of Beatrix Potter on Windermere estate. Later, they traveled to the Wordsworth home in Mt. Rydal.
The lake district of England is beautiful; they are 40 mins from Edinsburgh. Wales and Scotland are every bit as breathtaking as Ireland (hard to believe!)
6:00 pm (Wales): arrived at the Edinburgh hotel and headed out to a walking tour followed by dinner.
Tomorrow the students will have a guided tour with a blue badger and then a photo scavenger hunt of the Royal Mile. Dinner is at 7, and then the team will pick up the night train in Glasgow to London
June 29:
The kids were taken back by Wales. They enjoyed seeing Edward I castle and then the Snowdonia National Park. Apparently your children love to shop! Mr. Ault said, "Every time I turn around, the kids are buying something:)".
Tomorrow is a long day on the road as the team makes their way to Edinburgh. Friday will be the day in Edinburgh followed by the night train to London. Saturday starts the bus tour of London. Whew!
June 29: 1:30 (Wales)
The team has made it across to Wales by ferry today. They start the next leg of their journey, and I will update as I hear of their adventures.
June 28: 10:23 (Ireland time)
The team enjoyed an awesome day today learning to play gaelic football and hurling (http://www.experiencegaelicgames.com). If you keep checking the site's facebook link, we might be able to see pics of the kids and their attempt at play! Mr. Ault said Ireland has been everything those of us dreaming stateside would believe it to be. Gorgeous countryside and great food.
Tomorrow the team will be traveling via ferry to Wales. I'll post when they arrive.
June 28: 2:38 (Ireland time)
The team toured Dublin this morning and is now headed out to learn how to play Gaelic football (or as my husband's text correct said "garlic football". I thought you would enjoy the laugh!:) They will also get to then watch a live match. Cool stuff!
June 27: 4:30 pm (Ireland time)
Team has arrived at the hotel in Dublin and are dropping off bags before heading off to dinner. They are then seeing the Irish music and dance show.
June 27:
The team is just leaving Blarney Castle; all of them had a chance to kiss the Blarney Stone:). They've eaten lunch and are headed to Cashel Rock. Next stop - Dublin. Mr. Ault says that the sights yesterday were gorgeous! Kids are doing great, eating well, and having a blast.
June 26:
The team is traveling the beautiful ring of Kerry today! They recently finished watching a sheep dog herding demo; the kids loved it. They are approaching the town of Waterville. They will be riding the horse carriage ride around Killarney National Park following lunch (it is around 12:45 pm there).
June 26:
I spoke with Mr. Ault last night. The team made it safely to Killarney following a two hour bus ride. The countryside is beautiful and the hotel is nice. They were treated to a dinner of traditional Irish stew and prompted crashed!:)
June 25: 12 noon Eastern time
The team has landed in Shannon, Ireland and is currently headed to their hotel by bus. All are well and excited!
June 25:
The team landed safely in London this morning around 6 am Eastern time. They will be connecting with another flight to Shannon, Ireland later this morning. It took them awhile to get through security and across the airport. The adventure begins!:)
Reminders:
Be at school at 4:30 Friday and be prepared to go at that time. I will be weighing everyone's bag before we load so make sure that your bag is not over 51 lbs. Keep in mind you must keep your passport in an accessible spot so you can have it for security checks and for getting your plane ticket. We will also be checking passports as soon as we are on the bus. Also make sure for carry-on items, you check the TSA website to make sure we transition through the security check quickly and efficiently. We will be eating dinner at the airport, so have US dollars on hand to make those purchases. Parents, since I will not be at school tomorrow and Friday during the day, please feel welcome to text me or email me with any questions. I am sure I will think of something before Friday, so keep checking your email.
Just got word from our tour director to add tennis shoes and some athletic/sporty wear to the packing list for our training session at the Gaelic Athletic Association while in Dublin.
Got our West End Show today:
We will be seeing 39 Steps on 7/4 at 8pm
www.love39steps.com
Trip EXTRAS:
As of right now most have agreed to do ($105) the extra activities. If there is an issue with participating in these activities, let me know asap.
I will not be collecting money on these, but travelers need to make sure they budget for these activities if the consensus is that we do them.
1. Irish Night of Music and Dance: 25 to 30 Euros
2. Jaunting Car Tours of Killarney (see link) 16 Euros
http://www.goireland.com/BLOG/Article/Jaunting-Car-Tours-of-Killarney.html
3. Sheep dog demo, in which Brendan (one of the local farmers) will demo how he uses the dogs to control the sheep. I am told it sounds a bit flat but most people really love the experience. 4 to 5 euros.
4. Learn how to play Gaelic football and Hurling (very Irish) and see a match. I don't how much it costs but I need get a show of hands of how many travelers are interested, so our tour director (Alan McLarney) can get us a price. 18 euros
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