Isle of Wight Day 2

Day 2 started bright and early - about 6:30am. Even Rebecca woke up with a smile and was ready to go for breakfast at 8am. Breakfast was delicious and set us up for a very full day.

We started with a 45min coach journey to Alum Bay. We enjoyed a karaoke moment to the Bee Gees Tragedy and the Monkees Daydream Believer. None of us will be participating in Britain's Got Talent anytime soon.

We arrived at a deserted Alum Bay to enjoy a sweet making demonstration. Most excitingly we got to enjoy the sweets we saw being made - Banana splits.

Next stop was glass blowing. We saw a glass vase being hand blown. We were interested to learn about how fibre optic cables were made from glass and used by all major internet companies.

Alum Bay provided us with our first shopping experience. There was sand, glass and sweet shops so prepare yourselves for a fantastic array of gifts on our return.

Before lunch Mrs Pape took us on an educational uphill jaunt to see the Needles. The view was spectacular, a very observant Olly was fortunately on hand to declare that "the rock was very white".

In the afternoon we visited Dino Isle where we had a very informative guide. We got to hold a

fossilized leaf print which was 360 million years old. Abbie was fascinated by the fact that we have a tail. All in all, children had the opportunity to handle and discuss over thirty different artefacts. A particular highlight was the quick change of facial expressions that occured when children were told they were actually holding fossilized excrement! 

An exploration of the museum provided children with the chance to find out more about dinosaurs. We experienced the sights and smells dinosaurs would have experienced and even had a go at digging for our own fossils.

A walk along the beach front and 'promenade' (atleast that's what Mrs Pape called it!) and we were back at the hotel. An hour of free time before another delicious dinner was just what we needed in preparation for the evening's activity.

Richard Timberwood, Timber to his friends (fortunately that was us!) came in to our den to tell us a story about pirates (cover one eye and say AAARGH), smugglers (raise one finger over pursed lips and utter SHHHH and long shore men (wave fingers in front of body before stretching arms and flexing muscles saying YEEEEAH). (The directions in brackets are just a warning incase you are asked to play a part in any repeat versions!) In all seriousness, Timber was fantastic and for over two hours he had the children singing, playing and most importantly hanging on every word of his tale.

So here we are, the children watching Beauty and the Beast (but enough about Mr Ball and Mrs Pape, NOTE: In no particular order!) Another action-packed day is over! Speak to you all tomorrow!

Thank you to all of those who have already replied to the blog, the children are loving hearing from you all. Finally, the hyperlink below will link you to the school flickr account where you can see many more of the photos from every day.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/shorehamvillageschool/
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