STONEHENGE

21st May 2011


Last trip of the EVS Shabnam from Sweden.

Stonehenge, Salisbury and its Cathedral (13th century), the Old Sarum (a huge earthwork raised in 500 BC by the Iron Age settlers, and later occupied by Romans, Saxons and Normans, these last ones built a castle and a royal palaca, and by the mid-12th century it was a busy town with a new cathedral).
Salisbury was created because there was a lack of water and squabbles between church and military, so they built the city in 1220, Old Sarum was abandoned and fell into ruin.

Stonhenge... 5000 years of history, since Neolitic age... it is a very sophisticated stone circle built on the axis od the midsummer sunrise. The blue stones were brought 240 miles from Preseli mountains in Wales, just how they got them to this isolated place remains a mystery. There are many stories about the significance of Stonhenge... it may have been an astronomical observatory or used for sacred ritual linked to the sun, successful crops or even the dead.

CORNWALL

22nd - 24th July 2011

This place is really pretty, the coast has nothing to envy to other warm countries!

 

We stopped in a farm to buy some fresh vegetables and we went from Gorran Haven Harbour to "our" beach. From 10 to 16.30 walking, talking about life... awesome! And the landscapes, the footpaths and beaches were perfect! Nice day!

 

The route we did was:

Boswinger camp - Menagwins - Gorran Haven (Harbour and beach with a nice port and a nice under water footpath, and 2 hours of relax and sunbathe) - Pen_a_ Maen - Cadythew Rock - Bow or vault beach (pretty natural long white sandy beach, nudist but full of tourists! - Penares - Dodman PT (the furthest point inside the sea... pretty!!) - Hemmick abd the back to Boswinger camp.

Relaxing time at the camp! Swimming pool time!

In the evening all 6 of us (Bella, Javier, Gena, Frida, Mael and me) made a fire, we told scary stories, we sang and walk! Good times!

 

Train from St. Austell to Penzance

£8.30 1 day ticket taking all buses and trains in Cornwall!

 

We went to St. Michael's Mount... and we walk the footpath in the water!! You cross from the beach to the castle by foot, with the water over your knees!! :D

 

Goddbye and train back to Botley!

BELFAST

4th and last part of the Easter trip

30th April - 1st May 2011

By plane from Edinburgh to Belfast £40 flybe
Hostel the linnen House £6 per night (good quality-price)

We were really lucky to be at the same tine as the Fool's festival and the 100th festival of the Titanic, the whole city had a festivity enviroment. However it was incredibly deserted and quite.

We visited the City hall and we also did the Titanic tour.

EDINBURGH

3rd Part of the Easter Trip

27th - 29th April 2011

Glasgow - Edinburgh by train (£7)
We bought the £38 ticket that included 2 days of touristic buses, the entrance to the  Castle, the Royal Britania and the Royal Palace.
Edinburgh night hostel £12 per night

It is an incredible city! A magic place to dream :)
The castle is astonishing, it was built in a volcanic hill and today is a great museum that guards the Royal Jewellery, exposes 3 different military galleries, the National war memorial and a War prison exhibition. It is worth to see "The one o'clock gun"  from the top point.
This city has a special admiration for the dogs, a pet cementiry in the Castle, Greyfrias Bobby statue... even the guide said (I will never forget that): "Well, I know you are tired of historical information, let's talk about their puppies..." I still have my mouth open because of the surprise!!!
The city is divided in 2 neighborhoods, the old and the new one, and both are UNESCO PH since 1995. I was delighted by the closes and wings (narrow and old streets in the old town).
One of the most beatufil moments was the sundown from Calton Hill and something I personally enjoyed a lot was the Ghost tour at night. Don't forget to walk up the Crags and the Arthur Seat, the views have no equal! And the Scott Monument! Just go and walk and see it all! hehe ah! And the Portobello beach of course!

GLASGOW

2nd part of the Easter trip


25th-27th April 2011


Lighthouse:

By plane Cardiff - Glasgow £40
Bluesky Hostel £12 per night, it isn't in the centre of the city but it is in the middle of everything we wanted to see, so I would recommend it.


It is a big city, not a touristic one but a nice place to live instead; it is practical.


Glasgui (dear green place)
The most relevant character in Glasgow is St.Mungo (dear friend), the city patron s.IV:

Here is the bird that never flew

Here is the tree that never grew

Here is the bell that never rang

Here is the fish that never swam

You must go to St. Mungo's Museum, which aim is promote the respect and understanding between the different religions, it is divided in 3 galleries; Religious art, Religious life and the Scotish gallery. And it has the first Zen garden of UK done by Yusata Tanaka in 1993.
Other main attractions are the Cathedral and the annexed Necropolis, the Lighthouse and George Square where you will find the famous City Chambers.
There is a walking route you can do on your own to see the public art you can find on the street all around the city which is very interesting, and it helps you to visit the whole city in one day. This route is printed in lots of leaflets you can find in hostels and information points.
Don't forget to visit the Glasgow Green and the Modern Art Gallery (I would point out Buckanan, 1995)

CARDIFF

22nd - 25th April and 2nd - 4th May 2011




It is part of the biggest trip we did during our EVS around UK: Cardiff, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Belfast were our stops during the Easter holidays. Total: 14 days £400 all included.

Main characters of the story: Shabnam, Maël and Esther but we should mention Javier, Bella, Frida, Gena, Jesi, Nando and Claudia too.

Train to Cardiff from Botley and return £15 (thetrainline.com)

We stayed in the BUNK HOUSE HOSTEL the first time, that has the perfect location. Right in the middle of the city and in one of the liveliest streets at night… worth to say that it is also a pub at night time! It was about 18 or 19 pounds per night, but was clean and comfortable.

The second one we stayed at the Norman Hostel per £16, it is far from the centre but it has a perfect atmosphere and installations.




CROESO TO CARDIFF!! You should say on arrival :)

It is an amazing city of around 2000 years of history, full of life and nightlife. Don't miss the Casttle, the National museum, the bay and the amazing park! And it was really nice to take the waterbus per £3.
We did 2 walking tours booked at the tourist information office, it gives you a general idea of the city and its history and the guides were very good:

-          Discover Cardiff Forgotten Past (£5) 100% recommendable!

-          The Civic Centre History Walk (£3) 

All the activities

Fairthorne manor is an activity center offering to the customers the choice between more than 32 differents activities. We can divide all of these activities in 6 différents category.  

Here's is a quick overview of everything that has been learned and done.

High Ropes

Abseil Tower

Even if the first time can be very stressful for most of the peoples after the tower become a great place to have fun. In fact, abseiling is one of the best activities in Fairthorne to help the users to beat their fears and become more selfconfident.

Climbing Tower

Would you be able to reach the top? On this climbing wall you will got the choice between two side: green (right side) easy one, and yellow (left side) a bit harder.
Watch out, some of the holds turn !

Aerial Runway

The Aerial Runway or "zip wire" is the thing than an activity center can not afford to don't have, Fairthorne possess two differents one.

Burma Bridge

Beware of the crocodiles, sharks and snakes in the lake under the bridge... You should hold the ropes and keep your balance !

Jacob's Ladder

The principle is simple you have to work with your partners and try to go the highest as you can on the ladder. This is probably the hardest physical activity on the site, so the more challenging and interesting one !

Crate Challenge

Abseil Tree

Climbing River

Obstacle courses

Obstacle Course

I let you guess with the name what is this activity... THe main point of the area is the: "pirate's ship" in wood, surrended by all the differents obstacles all around it.
As you can see on thoses pictures, the obstacles are quite easy. That's why this activity is for young kids (less than 10/11 years old).

Team Challenge

"TEAAAAM CHAAAALLEEEENGE !" What is about?
Working as a team and success to pass all the obstacles of this course. Like most of teh activities in Fairthorne the mains words for this sessions are: Cooperations, team works, communications and encouragements.

Of course, differents games will be explain by the instructor to challenge the children even more.

Low ropes

"Low Ropes" is in a way the "obstacles course's big brother". The purpose of this activity is to put the customer in front of a problem: "How to cross this part of the course with all my team and without touching the ground?". It's for this reason than Low Ropes is more appropriate for older students (older than 12).

The "Fairthorne's leap of faith" use to be the most famous activity here (you can find some video on the web). But unfortunatly it's actually broken (the tree has snap...)

The Instructors can as usual give some challenges to do (blindfold,...) just to offer more fun to the customers.

Water

Bellboating

Gig Trips

Canoeing

Kayaking

Do you know how to paddle? How to play water polo in a kayak? And what to do if you capsize? You will learn all of this during a kayaking session!

Raft Building

Do you know the great Pirates's story, about Jack and his treasure? So, you take the end of the rope: " -This is Jack! -and this pole is an Island... "

With the help of the "pirate knot's" you will show to the students the techniques of designing, building and paddling an improvised raft.

Sailing

Survival Skills  and Ecologies Sessions

No descriptions and pictures for thoses activities: Global project/  Compass Skill/ Den Building but as an instructor you will be trained to run them

Pioneering

Pioneering or: how to design, plan and construct a variety of structures using poles and ropes.

Orienteering

If you are always lost when you are walking in town or if you never know where you are on a map it's probably because you have never done: orienteering in Fairthorne !

After a quick introduction, where the Instructor will explain to the kids how to use a map of the site and where they are on it, they will have to find some post distributed around. Each post has a animal and a letter written on it.

Survival Skills

Ecology: Land/ Water/ Woodland

During the land, water and woodland ecology the objectives for the Instructors is to teach the various ecologies that exist around the site and to allow the customers to develop a great appreciation for the natural environment and the wildlife. For example "Pond dipping" is one of the areas that we use to provide the water ecology lesson.

Evening

Mugga games / Inclusive Park (only during summer)

Jungle Escape

Campfire

Disco

Night Walk

Unclassified

Archery

During this session you will show to the children how to use bows and arrows. Most of the Instructors are qualified with the "archery leader certificate" during the training.

Aqua Slide

Blind Trail

Through differents games you will teach to the customers the importance of their five senses.

Initiatives Tasks

The aim of this session is to provide an opportunity for participants to enhance their team and communication skills as well as develop a greater understanding of themselves and each other through differents games and challenges.