Mike Atherton's visit

We were lucky to have a visit and talk by Mike Atherton (yes, dads, we do know who he is!), who is a parent at Edge Grove. After the chat and autograph session, tea and Victoria sponge cake was served from the Drawing Room. As it is such a beautiful day, we also sat on the lawns.

Two consecutive days at school!

Yes, we are doing some work...!

Our trip to London today.

After a wonderful 'duck tour'

The London Eye!

London again!

Yay! We're off to London again this morning..... will post photos this afternoon.

Monday afternoon shopping in Watford

Arriving home with our purchases

Happy shoppers!

Walking up the drive back to school

The girls spent the morning at school catching up with each other (and doing a bit of work!) and then after lunch we all went to a shopping centre called Harlequins in Watford. We were dropped there but had to find our way home on the bus!!! Tired but happy.

Our day in Oxford

We departed from Edge Grove School on the school bus and travelled into Oxford. On arrival, we boarded an open topped  bus and completed a tour by bus. What an amazing town! Our frst stop was at Christ Church College. This was beautiful. We even had a tour of the dining hall, which was used as Hogwarts diningroom in the Harry Potter film. We also went inside the Christ Church Cathedral. After having lunch, we all went punting on the river. We got a first hand taste of real 'London traffic' on our way home. Our trip home took us about 2 hours! The girls were exhausted, but we had a lovely day.

A day in Oxford

The minibus in front of the school

Open-top bus tour around Oxford

Christ Church College

In the diningroom at Christ Church College. This is where Harry Potter was filmed

Punting on the river

Stunning view from the river

Here are our latest photos from a wonderful day in Oxford. We will write more tomorrow, but came home late due to loads of traffic on the motorway.

Hockey matches against Haileybury...

After the match

Bus home

Tuesday was a day spent at  Edge Grove School. The girls began their day with hymn practice and then attended classes. There was no school in the afternoon, as Wednesday is match day!  All the girls were included in the hockey matches. I must say, I think Edge Grove was very grateful that we were! They played a far stronger team and lost 6 - 2. However, Herschel featured strongly and Sarah even scored!
Haileybury is a beautiful school and the girls were treated to meat balls and rice with juice after the match, which they said was wonderful!
Can you imagine that!

More pictures from our day yesterday....

Underground!

Nandi on the Underground

Outside Big Ben

Outside Buckingham Palace waiting for the Changing of the Guard

London in 1 day!

The girls on Westminster Bridge with Houses of Parliament and Thames in background

Waiting at Radlett station for our train to London

Gosh! What a day! We did London on the trot! Starting at Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, 10 Downing Street, St James Park, Changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace, walking up the Mall to Admiralty Arch, Trafalgar Square, lunch at Burger King, walked through China town and then took tube across to Piccadilly Circus. We did whirlwind tour of the History Museum and the Science Museum before heading across London to Hamleys. Try doing Hamleys in 15 minutes with 12 children and still have them walking out smiling with their dream purchases in hand!
Arrived back at Edge Grove in time for dinner at six.
I know for sure, that everyone will sleep well tonight.
What a wonderful day! Such a treat!

Off to London!

We're off to spend the day in London with the Wetpups boys.....

We're here!!!

Yay! At long last we are all happily settled at Edge Grove. Bags are unpacked (even India's which had eventually arrived during lunch today!), and we are learning the routine of a boarding school. Breakfast yesterday morning was croissants, pain du chocolat and hot chocolate!!! Not too bad!

The girls have just finished playing hockey.... yes, even those girls who have never played hockey before! Don't worry, Mums, they were supplied with gum guards and shin pads. Now it's time for tea....

7 Days to go...

Next Friday this time we will (nearly) be on our way. Yay!