We first drove to Oxford...home of Oxford University and over 30 other colleges. We went punting... which basically was a gorgeous boat ride, with five of us to a boat, and being punted by someone else. It was along a meandering river with trees overhanging the water and spires from all the beautiful architecture rising about it all. The breeze was perfect with the hot weather. We had a sack lunch that had been delivered to our hotel before we left, so most of us were punted along in our boat eating our lunch and soaking in all the scenery.
After the ride, we had about an hour to wander around the town...it really is an incredibe town. I look forward to coming back here someday...Oxford was a first for me. Again, the only complaint - there wasn't enough shopping time. Our poor shoppers! I'm actually proud of what quick shoppers a lot of them have become. :)
From Oxford, we drove to Warwick Castle. There was free time at first to tour the castle (and of course, hit the gift shops...shopping...shopping...) and then we met together with 6 other People to People delegations at 5 p.m. for an introduction to some of the activities we would be doing...and then dinner.
Warwick had it's own rose garden...Lynne and I loved it, but I don't know what attraction it held for most of our high schoolers!
These are taken from the top of the wall around the castle.
Our group first learned how to sword fight...(no worries, no one went to the hospital)... and you'll be surprised to know that everyone became quite good at this.
Next was the pikes - or to me, just some huge sticks that you fight your opponent with. The sound effects, all the grunts and screams that go along with stabbing your partner made it all the more fun.
The next activity was learning about armor and shooting a bow and arrow. Pretty basic, but the guy that did it was pretty entertaining.
The last activity was learning about the trebouchet (not sure if this is spelled correctly)... and the kids got to run in the wheel (think: hamster cage) until someone fell down. There were 2 delegations and members in opposing delegations were in the different wheels. We had a great cheering section. The hats they had to wear were not fashionable, but oh well, they were fun anyway.
The last thing we did at the castle was WATCH the trebouchet shoot a flaming ball something like 183 meters across this expanse... Dustin and I agree that it didn't look like 183 meters, but that's what they said. I think maybe they exaggerate in Warwick... just maybe.
I loved some of the windows on the castle.So that was Day 4... we're in a new hotel, but we'll be out early in the morning and on to another adventure. Hopefully I'll be able to update tomorrow... but know if I don't, there was no internet access.
Everyone is healthy and well tonight... thank goodness. This is coming with constant reminders from their faux parents to drink water, drink water, and drink water.
