Trip to the Royal Palace: Thursday

It was great to see the children today, especially Cameron who had problems with his ears the night before. The children all spoke positively about their host families. The day started with a welcome assembly, all the staff were introduced as were the children and staff from the UK. OK Mr Evans did get a round of applause for uttering two Spanish words. Well that's his repertoire used up! The children had a tour of the school before gathering for our visit to the Royal Palace.

If you didn't know, Prince Charles and Camilla are staying in Madrid as part of an official visit, so today was our only opportunity (to think Mr Ludlow thought the red carpet was for him). The days adventure started with a ride on the underground train. Arriving at the Palace we were met by a tour guide who took us around, clocks, paintings, frescos, tapestries and lots of information about old stuff. Well done Mrs Leigh for making the positive responses! Sí, Sí and all that!


After many photos in the glorious sunshine (needed to get that one in) we made our way out of the Palace precincts. The children were fascinated with the street entertainers, the invisible man, human statues and musicians. The one that caught their eye was the man in the box! Well you will have to see the photo to get an idea. I just hope the children don't see this as a future career opportunity. The sun shone and life felt good, well until we found out they had closed our tube line for two hours. A long diversion ensued, arriving back at school some time later with a tired bunch of children. But it was worth it. Lunch was an experience for most of the children, cannelloni and fish! The afternoon was spent in classes. The children did look exhausted. We gave them a little pep talk to encourage some good sleep (fingers crossed). A busy, hectic first day. One to remember!


NEWS FLASH! VISIT TO THE ROYAL PALACE.

from left to right: Mrs Leigh, Mr Ludlow, Mr Evans, Miss Hoy

Photos Day One: The Journey

And we are off!

Photos Day Two: The Adventure Begins

Security safe at the Palace today!!

Fun on the Metro!

Guitar heroes!

Connor´s headless man impression!

Food glorious food!

The belles!

The boys! (but where´s Ethan wandered to now!!)

Charles and Camilla on the Weds, Robert Wikinson on the Thurs... isn´t Madrid lucky!

Mr E´s favourite Spanish friend....the chef!! Food glorious Food!

Boy´s Messages: Thursday

Finlay: Hi people of York having an excellent time in Madrid, boiling hot 23 degrees here I have just been to the palace it was cool :). Cant wait to see you all in a week see you later bye:):):):).

Connor: Today I have been to the palace and it was really fun. I got back to school and the food wasn´t nice at all (only joking!). Pablo and his family are really nice they let us do lots of fun things and I will see you soon bye :):):):):):) LOL!!!!!

Thomas: Madrid is hot!!! Today we went to the palace(it was amazing!!) . Iam having a great time .

Mr Ludlow: All doing well, great day at the palace. Happy children, although looking tired this afternoon (encouraging them to get some good sleep tonight). More messages to follow torrow from the rest of the group.

Girl´s Messages: Thursday

Gabrielle: Today we went to their school. It´s big but all tightly packed together. I like the food though I didn´t like the fish. We went to the palace and it was beautiful.

From Gabby
p.s Tell my parent that i love them.

Beth H : Today we went to the palace. It was beautiful and we had a tour round :) I really like A´lexas family. The weather is really hot and sunny :)
Love Bethy xxx

Mia: today we went to the palace it was very big and I did loads of photos . It was very hot and I love Celias family and I am having a great time .love Mia

Bethany Hall:Hello we went to the palace today:)It was very good.I love Doriss family. It´s very Hot and sunny. Give big Higs and kisses to the family(expesialy charlie)Love BethanyXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Molly Fenwick:Hello everyone it was very hot today and we went to the palace and I took lots of photos!The plane journey was fine but was a bit jumpy.The family I am staying with are very nice and are very good at English!Byexxx

Daisy Bell: hi! met Beas famaily they are lovely. We went to the palace today and it was great. Missing you xxxxxxxxx

Mr Ludlow: All doing well, great day at the palace. Happy children, although looking tired this afternoon (encouraging them to get some good sleep tonight). More messages to follow torrow from the rest of the group.

UK Parent Messages

Why not send a message to you child or the group.

Videos!

Something of a tradition!

Great accents!

My host family!!

Royal Palace Busker

Day 1 On The Way To Madrid

Fond farewells were said as we climbed onto our bus ready for a great adventure. Arriving at the service station was a gob stopping opportunity! How many gob stoppers can you fit in your mouth? Well Finlay won first prize. What a fantastico (Mr Ludlow had to get Spanglish in) opportunity to fill yourself up with sweets, or in the case of Mr Evans, a large bacon roll.

Did you notice that Mr Ludlow wasn't wearing a suit? Well Bethany did, "you look so young, trendy and casual Mr Ludlow". Ok I added the young and trendy! Leaving the service station we headed onwards toward the John Lennon airport. Arriving was with great excitement and it was raining! Good old British weather! We ventured straight into a film set for a KLM advert and were quickly asked to move. Didn't they know we had Hollywood credentials? A debate took place as to whether we should venture out in the rain for the traditional sing song around the Yellow Submarine. Mr Ludlow and Miss Hoy volunteered to look after the luggage (such an honourable thing to do). After checking in we downed our drinks and hit the departure lounge. Sneaking into Burger King to use their tables may have been a temptation too far for some children. James Davidson wanted to ditch his cucumber for chips! Mr Evans shared one chip generously. Oh, and we must give a special mention to Finlay who packed his lunch in his suit case.

The plane was rather full which meant our group being split up. The children were fantasico (that's enough Spanglish Mr Ludlow). We had several compliments from fellow travellers, the children were a credit to themselves and us all. Well done Ethan who, sitting next to a stranger, taught him all about trains and planes (for two hours!!). The couple still sang his praises for being so interesting and polite. However, they did enquire as to our return flight. Only joking Ethan. The flight was as eventful as a flight goes. The children made the sound effects that I am sure are in the minds of all adult travellers, ohhh, ahhhh, errrrrrr!

Once landed and luggage collected we made our way through to the arrivals hall. There were cheers and claps ahead. Was someone famous coming? Oh yes US! The families gave hugs and kisses to the children and whisked their smiling faces into the sunset. The children were great and we look forward to seeing them in the morning.

Wave Goodbye: See You Next Week

Farewell Messages

Finlay: hi carlos i am already missing you lots i cant wait to see you in 1 week.See ya P.S.I am gonna get a sandwich with bacon. Connor:hi pablo i am missing you lots cant wait to see you next week cant believe you beat me at bowling your engilish is very good so its a good job my spanish is alright but itll never be as good as your engilish P.S i am gonna get a cheese sandwich the bacon is the KEY? Bethany:Hola!I am missing you already looking forward to coming to spain.I hope we can play bowling(eventhough i will lose,oh well.)Is your sister looking forward to seeing ME!!Because i am looking forward to meeting her!See you soon !Adios!!!! Molly:Hola!How are you doing? I am missing you already however i can not wait untill I come to Spain and meet Luna and the rest of your family.When I come over to stay at your house I will bring just dance because I know you loved it!! I hope you enjoyed staying at my house and I bet your not missing the cold weather!Adios see you later!!Bye Erica Miss you! Ollie: Hola. Are you ok? Missing you already. I bet you are missing Franiky !! Hope your mum likes the tea. Don't forget to tell all your friends that you jumped on Belle (the pony). The Ducks, poneys, cat and dogs are missing you ; so am I!!! Come back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Miss you lots and lots and lots and lots!!!!!! Adios see you later!!! bye Angela!!! Miss you ps: mis you James D:Hi cesar,I am missing you alreadyand I hope you had a nice trip.Hope you enjoyed your stay with me.Cant wait to see you in MADRID!!ADIOS see you in madrid p.s.England fottball team are still better than spain haha :]:]bye

Monday: the last day in school

The last day has arrived; tissues are at the ready for the sad farewell tomorrow morning. The last group enjoyed a morning of Cook School whilst the other children joined in with class lessons. At 2.30 pm the school hall started to fill, parents arrived and we were ready to say a final well done to all those that have made this exchange so successful. A Photostory was shown displaying some of the highlights of the trip, video messages were screened, the English children saying good bye to their partners. After presents were exchanged the parents made their way down to the hall for a traditional English Tea (the bread and cakes were made by the children!). Oh and I must not forget to say a big well done to the Spanish Head teacher who made a fantastic speech IN ENGLISH!

Weekend Fun:

What a fantastic weekend the children had. It was so nice to see those smiling faces walking across the playground on Monday morning all with an adventure to tell.

Many of the families got together to go on group trips. Some went to Whitby, played football and cricket on the beach and then hit the arcades. They also enjoyed the tradition of English Fish and Chips. Others also went to the neighbouring seaside town of Scarborough.

Ethan and Finlay took their partners to the National Railway Museum in York. Ok Finlay, I know you just wanted to see Thomas the Tank Engine! The Castle Museum was another York favourite which some families visited. At least the Spanish children will know what it was like to live in the 1960s, (brings back fond memories for Mr Ludlow! ).

Gaby joined Daisy and took their partners to Daisies Grand Parents farm. They had a fab time exploring the farm and seeing the baby lambs, ahhh. Ollie and her partner enjoyed many opportunities riding and of course a lady has to shop!

Another trip out was to Big Fun adventure park. Many of the families joined together and enjoyed a day of fun. There were some that were even more adventurous, Connor went over to Malham Cove and joined family friends in a Youth Hostelling experience. Mai also went further afield taking her partner all the way to London for the day, ending with a visit to the show Grease.

Thank you to all the families for making the weekend such a successful one. Both the Spanish children and their English hosts will have fond memories of this experience .

York Trip: Day 3

Film Night

Thursday , after school, we hosted a Film Night. The children enjoyed (I think!) watching Despicable Me. The main character hasn't any hair. Can I assure you that the despicable deeds are not based on Mr Ludlow, the headteacher! Hot Dogs and refreshments were served and a good night was had by all.

Children's Messages: Day 2

Erica:
Fuimos al acuopolis y lo pasamos genial.
habia muchos toboganes y piscinas de olas, fue un dia genial!!

Pablo: Today we have cook classes and we also are building our own boats
Tomorrow we will go to the center of york to buy soethings.

Javier:Hoy por la tarde vamos a ver una peli en el colegio con perritos calientes .
Cesar:Ayer fuimos a un parque acuatico.Hoy hemos hecho unas galletas
y por la tarde vamos a ver una pelicula.

sacha: hola soy sacha tome al venir de visitante a este colegiop me ilusione mucho porque me habian hablado muy bien de el esta tarde bamos a ber una peliy emos copcinado asido muy dibertido

Angela:Hola! nos lo estamos pasando muy bien esta tarde vamos a ver todos una peli con palomitas y perrityos calientess! :D bueno ya pondre otro comentario! adios!!

Manuel:hola/ esto es genial hoy vamos a ver una peli con palomitas y perritos caliente.
manana vamos a york ya nos veremos adios

Alexa: Hola!! Me lo estoy pensando genial aqui y estoy aprendiendo muchisimas palabras en ingles. La vida aqui es diferante aqui asi que tambien aprendo otras costumbres. Estoy tan bien que ni siquiera me acuerdo de Madrid y no quiero volver!! ;)

Olga: me lo estoy pasando genial!! El colegio es gigante y muy divertido, la gente es muy simpatica. Ayer fuimos a un acuaparc, y fui divertidisimo, me tire por muchos toboganes y nade por las piscinas de olas. Fue fantastico!!

Cook School: Day 2

Groups of children are visiting the Cook School today to prepare food for an English Tea Party. The children were making Flap Jack and Short Bread. I hope they washed their hands!

A fun evening: Day 1

The children and families had a great time Wednesday evening at Water World.

Here we are: Our First Day.

Hola, en este primer dia estamos todos bien, preparando una obra de teatro sobre bullying,

los chicos estan contentos, y como siempre nos han recibido con los brazos abiertos!!

En este blog iran cargando fotos diariamente, asi aunque no esteis con vuestros hijos podeis ver como se divierten

Nosotros seguiremos en contacto via correo electronico

el tiempo bien (nublado pero no hace frio), la ciudad preciosa, el colegio estupendo

Un saludo para todos
Julio y Luz

Children's Messages: Day 1

Hi from all of us in Spain. Please read some of the thoughts from our children.

Olga: I'm very happy with my family and the school, the food is fantastic, and the school is very big. My partner has told me the activities we are going to do and there are very fun.

Celia: Hi here the weather is very cold, but I'm having lots of fun. Today we are going to a waterworld.

Maria:hi i am very happy here in york .the food is very delicious and my family is very happy.

Pablo: yesterday the journey was very very long but now we are in school. The school is very big

AngelA we are verry happy here in York! We don't miss you !!:) (Well a little bit!!) ADIOS!!
Bea:hello I met the family and Daisy.They are all very nice!besos

Quique: I like very much York and Ethan's family is very nice. I miss you a little bit but I'm good.

Parent Messages:

Please add a message to the children in Spain.

Welcome To Our Spanish Friends.

We are looking forward to welcoming the children and staff from Madrid. they are dur to arrive on Tuesday, 15th March and will stay with us until Tuesday, 22nd March.