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| -- Update --
I've finally found some time to both organize (at least a bit) and add photos and albums.
The new album format includes a sideshow and the ability to download the original photo (good if you want to print it).
If you do wish to print a photo do the following:
Click on the the thumbnail.
Right Click the link to the original photo and choose "Save As" or "Save Link As" to save a copy on your own computer.
You can now print directly from your own computer, or send to your favorite photo printing outfit (i.e. Costco, Snapfish etc).
Amazingly there are over 4000 photos which wouldn't even fit on 2 dvds. As such, I will leave this site in tact for anyone to get copies of the photos.
Rob.
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| Day 14 - In London
Today the groups went their own ways unfortunately we can only provide the details from 1 group. Please see Christopher's comments below:
Today we went to the HMS Belfast [ship]. Adian's great grandfather was on the HMS Belfast during World War 2. There was a lot of rooms that you can go in like the kitchen, the Sick Bay,the gun room and the control room [the captain's quarters.
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| Day 13 - In London
Today we woke very early for breakfast at 7:30 AM.
After a quick breakfast we headed to the coach for a trip around london guided by Nigel. Nigel gave probably the best tour I've ever been on. Ask Vince for his details if you ever come to London.
Nigel took us around the city first, then to the Tower of London. What an incredible Castle.
After the Tower we had a quick bag lunch on the banks of the Thames.
We then went out to Windsor Castle and had a tour.
By 5:15PM we were on the coach headed back to London for dinner (out on our own).
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| Day 12 - Canterbury
Today we started our first morning in London. Its a bit busier here than in Bristol and Guildford.
I'm sure we are all going to miss the privacy.
Wakeup was at 7:10 with an 8:10 breakfast queue. We were done and ready to head for the bus by 9:10.
By 9:30 we were all on the bus and headed for Canterbury. The ride was quiet without Andy chattering away.
We arrived around 11AM and were set free on the town to see the sites.
The groups went their own ways and were re-united for a 3PM tour of the Cathedral followed by Evensong (as spectators).
After Evensong we slit again for Dinner and re-united at 7:30PM for the bus ride home.
All and all it was a very nice day.
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| Day 11 - London
This morning we woke up at various times for an 8:30AM breakfast call.
After dining we completed packing and headed to the coach for our trip into London. Can you believe its already the final leg of the trip?
We got into London at about 11:30PM and set the groups free to find lunch (with a return time of 1PM which we all made).
After lunch the bus took us to check in at the hostel (and hostile is the hostel, all 1 big room). I guess thats the end of sleep.
After check in we headed to Andy's bus for 1 last trip over to the London Eye (we have a new bus company for the remainder of our visit). The eye was very interesting. We could see most of London during the 45 minute ride.
After the Eye the groups were set free to do was they wanted. We were handed sight seeing cards and underground tickets with instructions to be back at a reasonable hour. Amazingly we all made it back.
Its now time to get all to sleep. Lights out, wish us luck.
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| Days 9 & 10 - Guildford.
For days 9 and 10 we moved from Bristol to the University in Guildford. As you can tell from the lack of photos we were both busy and without Internet access.
For the most part both days were identical. The evenings were filled with rehearsal followed by Evensong followed by dinner.
After dinner there were movies, soccer and other various outdoor sports.
The only difference was on Tuesday (day 10) when we went to a skate/swim complex from 11AM till 2PM. We have pictures, but they are not yet available for upload. They will be on the CD (and added to the site at the end of the trip).
The University was nice and we will miss it (each child had his/her own room).
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| Day 8 - Gloucester.
Today was likely our busiest day so the blog will be brief (everyone is a bit tired).
We started by waking at 6:15AM. Breakfast was at 7:00 followed by boarding and departing on the bus at 7:45AM.
We were in Gloucester at 8:45AM, just in time for the 9AM rehearsal for Eucharist.
The kids rushed in, vested and headed to the Cathedral. The rehearsal was followed immediately by the service (Mother Donna participated).
After service, we all went for lunch. Most of the groups went to a place where kids eat free. I believe its no longer in business. ;)
After lunch it was time for Evensong rehearsal which was followed by the service and then a quick departure.
There is lots of flooding in the area and Andy (our coach driver) didn't want to get stuck.
Once back at the hostel we ate, played in the park, did laundry and packed.
Tomorrow we leave Bristol and head for Guildford.
Pictures have been uploaded. Enjoy.
Rob
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| Day 7 - Gloucester.
Well I'm afraid I've lost my guest blogger, so your stuck with me.
Today started as usual, we woke at 7AM, had breakfast at 8AM. At 9:45 AM we were on the bus headed to Gloucester.
Again the weather was a bit rainy, in fact there was heavy rain and flooding overnight, so there were some concerns that we would not make it. (Maybe you've seen some news, I haven't). We did make it and can see where the major river (Severn?) has been flooding the city.
At 11ish we arrived in the city and headed directly to the Cathedral. After settling our stuff in a really interesting and old building, we headed off in groups until lunch at 1PM. My group decided the best thing to do before eating was well to eat. I can't speak for the others.
At 1PM we headed back to the Cathedral for Lunch.
Lunch was followed by a fascinating tour of the Cathedral which included many bits of interesting information about the filming of Harry Potter. Be sure to ask your child about it when we return, watch the move and check out our pictures (Of the cloisters in particular).
After the tour was rehearsal followed almost immediately by Evensong.
After Evensong we headed back to Bristol on the bus, had dinner and are now settling in for the night. We have to be up at 6:45AM tomorrow for the ride back.
If you get a chance, take a look at the movies section. There is an interesting clip about one of Christophers ancestors. I hope he will enjoy in upon his return.
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| Day 6 - Bath
Hi, this is Aidan. today we went to the city of Bath.
When we got to bath we all took a walk to the Roman Bath Museum. There are ancient roman baths there. We walked through the museum. We learned a lot of stuff through the kids audio tour. The water was heated by a hot spring! It didn't feel as hot though because it was raining. The springs were home of the temple of the goddess Saulis Minerva.
After the museum was the pump room were you could drink the waters of the sacred bath. The water tasted strange. Even though the water was strange i was the only kid to finish the cup they gave us.
We then left to get our lunch in the coach bus. We ate our sandwiches then left.
Some of us, including me, chose to do a city tour on a double decker bus. We went on the top, part of which was covered and the other uncovered. I was crazy enough to go on the uncovered part of the bus for two different tours. it was still raining, too.
Then we headed to to the bus and had our usual dinner. Tonight most of us are dressed up as harry potter and at a party at the bookstore for the first night of deathly hallows. I was the only one not going to the party.
Just now many harry potters are walking past me because they are back
(Day 5 is missing. It was spent in Bristol, mostly at the science museum. -- Rob)
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| Day 4 - Wells.
Today we started the day with an earlier than usual wake up time. We were up at 7AM, had the usual hostile hostel breakfast and were ready to board the bus by 9:30.
The trip to Wells took just under an hour. Andy our bus driver took us on a very scenic drive through some very windy country roads. Along the way we saw many taverns, animals (including mountain goats on a mountain) and fields with tons of hedgerows.
Many of the roads are very narrow and while they claim to be 2 way, barely fit the bus. Andy explained the right of way rules: 1. The newest and most expensive car, owned by the driver of said car shall give right of way. 2. Drivers of large coaches which in the event of damage will be replaced has the right of way. With that in mind, we safely arrived in wells at 11:15 AM.
Once in Wells we went straight to the the Cathedral where the children unloaded and started to rehearse. There are several pictures of the Cathedral and all the grounds. The entire area was so beautiful. There was even on open market just outside the Cathedral walls. So neat!
After rehearsal the kids were allowed to walk around for an hour or so (before the concert). The older kids went shopping, the younger went to see the Bishops Mansion which featured an actual real mote with killer ducks.
The kids reassembled back at the church for the lunch time concert. We were permitted to record, and heard many many nice comments from visitors and locals alike. Hopefully some of the comments were caught on tape.
After the concert we met Christopher's grandparents who had driven 80 miles to see the concert and service. They actually did manage to spend a good amount of time with Chris, tho I'm sure they wish they had more.
Again after the concert kids split up some went back to the palace and the others did more shopping.
By 3PM they were all back preparing for Evensong. The service was beautiful and was attended by Dr. Rose who seemed to enjoy it.
The service ended at 6PM and was followed by photographs and then we spit up for dinner.
Back on the bus at 8:15PM and back to the hostel by 9:15 (Which is why this is delayed, it was a long day).
Also, I noticed that many of the pictures were not being included in the slide shows (it doesn't like anything over 99 pictures). I've redone days 1 -> 4 removing the slide show. Please take another look as there are likely many photos you did not see.
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| Wow day 3 in Bristol has come to an end already.
Today we had a pretty busy schedule.
Mr E did allow us to sleep in again (8AM). Tomorrow we have to be up at 7 for an 8AM breakfast.
After waking we got ready and headed down for a 9AM breakfast in the hostel.
At 10:30AM we traveled over to St Mary Redcliffe for a private tour (be sure to check out the video in the movies section). The tour was followed by some beautiful singing. Mr E had the group sing in 3 different locations in the church (Also check out the video).
Around noon we moved back to the hostel and collected our bag lunch. Small groups headed off to eat lunch in various places (parks etc).
After lunch, it was back into the dress clothes and over to Bristol Cathedral for a tour, rehearsal and Evensong.
Dinner was had back at the hostel followed by some run around time in a nearby park (even though it was raining).
Again pictures have been added, also there are a couple of videos.
Enjoy.
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| Day 2 has come and gone.
Today was a fun day and included the first Choral Evensong at Bristol Cathedral.
We all were awakened (or somehow woke up on our own) at 8AM.
We went for breakfast at at 9:00 with some amazingly well behaved children (we've even gotten some nice comments from the staff).
Breakfast was followed by a day trip to Blaise Castle. The Castle was much more of an estate (with a very large grounds). The Castle was a small hike made much longer by our many incorrect turns on some very confusing paths. Actually after an hours attempt to hike 5 minutes, we decided it was best to return to the coach for lunch. After lunch a small group did make it guided by some of the more intelligent 18 year olds (who made it the first time).
Upon our return to the hostel, the children quickly changed into their dress clothes, grabbed their vestments and ran to the cathedral. Somehow we did manage to all arrive at exactly 3PM per Mr E's instructions. A short rehearsal was done in the choir room followed by a beautiful service.
After the service we made a quick return to the hostel for dinner. Dinner and the day was completed with a chorister meeting held by Mr E.
Again photos have been uploaded (which include some shots of the full choir in the cathedral).
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| End of a very long day 1.
Unfortunately it looks like technology beat us out.
We did arrive safely at 6:45AM local time (1:45AM back home).
The trip was uneventful. Most kids did their best trying to get some sleep in. In then end almost no sleep was to be had.
James however was able to sleep and is nearly impossible to wake up. Finally we had to stand him up and start his legs going. It did the trick as his automatic transmission took over and he walked off the plane still sleeping (I think he woke up on the jet-way.)
We moved through customs rapidly, found our bus and made it to Bristol in plenty of time to make the 11:15AM service and again the 3:15PM evensong. Of course it was a complete battle keeping the kids awake but we managed to do so.
Its now 9PM local (4PM) and the kids are crashing getting ready for hopefully some less tiring days.
Photos are on the site. Enjoy!
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* Check back during our trip for pictures and more.
