Modern Languages Expedition - Barcelona!

Date: Thursday 23 October 2008

Twenty-one pupils and three members of staff left early for half-term on a new venture - the Modern Languages (Spanish) Department having organised the first of what ought to become a regular feature of the St Edmund's calendar - a five-day, four-night expedition to Barcelona and the Costa Brava.

Day One began with a 6.45am departure from the School for Gatwick, and an Easyjet hop to Barcelona. No problems but for the 'disappearance' of James Southey's suitcase at the Spanish airport, prior to the 90 minute coach journey to Lloret de Mar where we checked in to the Hotel Montevista, and its 3-star, 3 to a room accommodation. Fortunately we had 12 boys and 9 girls, so segregation was not difficult! A pre-supper hike to the beach - grit and mouthy locals - built up an appetite for the massive buffet supper, and late-evening 'debates' with intrusive Italians from the floor above!

Day Two began wet, and demanding a change of schedule. Breakfast - plentiful and tasty (local black puddings!) - preceded the 90 minute journey into Barcelona, and the first stop of the day at the Sagrada Familia, the Gaudi-designed chuch, still in the throes of construction 120 years on! Shopping then entered the agenda with a three-hour stop at the reconverted old port, now an upmarket designer-goods shopping mall. The girls were very happy, the boys less so, but they got their revenge with the third stop of the day at the Nou Camp Stadium, and a tour of FC Barcelona's home ground.

Day Three was Theme Park day, and a day when the sun shone! This outing required a 2 and a 1/2 hour coach journey to Port Aventura, which proved well worth while with a range of rides allowing for the most nervous and the nerveless to have fun. A very decent restaurant served a very decent paella for those needing a break from queueing for rides. A long day ended with the same long journey back to Montevista, and post-supper entertainment provided by the elderly Spanish hotel guests dancing to 'Una Paloma Blanca'. Not to be missed!

Day Four was the busiest on the programme, and the best. Another coach journey - two hours this time - took us inland to Montserrat, and its monastery nearly 1000metres up into the hills. Marvellous views, and a vertical funicular train ride took us higher still. After listening to the choristers perform at lunchtime, we bussed it into Barcelona for a wander up Las Ramblas - a combination of Oxford Street and Portobello Road - keeping a wary eye open for pickpockets, allegedly rife in the city. No victims, thank goodness, before a short trip to Parc Guell, with its Gaudi buildings, and hawkers selling 'genuine' Spanish souvenirs.

Day Five, and summer sunshine to coincide with our departure. A last walk down to the beach preceded a last coach trip into Barcelona for the return Easyjet flight. No problems at all until reaching Gatwick, where we all assembled, but Angus Alder's case did not! Back to School by 6.00pm, and all picked up by 6.15; an efficient end to a highly efficient five days.

Many thanks indeed to Mrs Newton, whose brainchild the whole expedition had been, and to the pupils, ranging from M5 beginners to A' level language experts, whose behaviour was exemplary, and were a credit to School, families, and themselves. Not much Spanish may have been spoken - difficult in an area where Catalan seems to predominate - but plenty of exposure to the Spanish way of life made this a brilliant trip for our Hispanophiles.