Hockey 66

TRAVEL

The Senior School Ski Trip.

MOUNTAIN AND OUTDOOR CLUB

The recently extended Mountain and Outdoor Club is evolving swiftly. Jonathan Noble's report on the annual trip to yr Hafod in the winter of 1991 conveys the flavour of the event succinctly.

SNOWDONIA: December 1991

I arrived the the minibuses in front of Queen's for my first trip to Snowdonia with the School, with much trepidation. Six weeks earlier, the prospect of scrambling up rocks in the snow and ice had appealed greatly to me, but now the mountains seemed a bit too close for comfort.

On arrival at a bleak hut in the middle of the Welsh hills, my apprehensions were not eased, but within an hour I felt totally relaxed and was put at my ease by the warm, friendly atmosphere created by the old boys and staff.

On the first morning I was "woken" by the loudest siren I had ever heard and, thinking it was the smoke alarm, shot up and dented my head on the bunk above me — not a good start. I later discovered it was Simon's way of waking us up for the day.

The first day brought a walk up Snowdon itself, and the feeling of achievement on reaching the top of my first mountain was huge. I felt as though 1 had conquered Everest. The second day brought a trip to a waterfall and Beaumaris, which was a welcome change from the long walks of the other two days.

The final day consisted of a scramble up Tryfan, and I found this the most enjoyable day of the trip.

What really makes the holiday, though, is not the walks but the humour and general atmosphere that surrounded the occupants of the hut. There was not a joke left untold or a trick left unplayed (or a piece of gossip about the teachers left unsaid by the old boys to the younger members of the party). The whole thing blended together to make a most enjoyable trip which is certainly not for the weak-willed!

At Easter a small group succeeded in walking from Whitwell to camp at the Pools of Dee on the crest of the Lairig Ghru, the defile which splits the Cairngorm massif from north to south. From there, we experienced a superb day's mountain-walking round the Cairn Toul — Braeriach plateau in conditions which ranged from horizon-to-horizon visibility down to full-blown whiteout. The descent ws drawn out by the need to avoid descending convex slopes in the dark; and when we reached its site we devoutly wished that the old Sinclair Hut had not been removed at the end of 1991. We wished it even more strongly when we somehow managed to walk in circles for half an hour at the narrowest point of the pass — but there's nothing like a long winter's day to make food seem tasty and sleeping bags warm.

Summer had seen the success of 'open house' at yr Hafod with a mixture of Peterites, old Peterites, families and friends enjoying a week in the mountains together. There is already a good programme of events for 1991-1993; and anyone who would like to join the Club is invited to contact David Hughes at School for details. David Hughes

In January, last year, exchange pupils were found for St. Peter's School pupils, who were then in the third year and Olavites in the fourth and fifth years. Suitable correspondents were allocated to us and we were told to exchange letters and information abouf ourselves, our interests and our families in the months leading up to our trip to France in October.

After various letters between homes, suggestions on how to present ourselves while with our French families and the normal chaos which precedes a holiday, we left at 6.00 a.m. on Sunday, 20th October. After a long sixteen hours travelling we arrived in Selongey School car park amid an air of tense enthusiasm, not forgetting a hint of nervousness, as we stepped out to something quite unfamiliar to many. Whilst on the journey we savoured our first taste of what we were soon to discover to be typically French, when we stopped in Vitry le Francois, a small town, about two hours from our final destination. There we discovered, horror of horrors, that the only toilet comprised of a hole in the floor. The following two hours of the journey passed and we arrived at the School, only half an hour late, where we were greeted by our correspondents and their parents. Acutely embarrassed everyone 'faired la bise' and went their separate ways.

Our first full day in France was spent at the School in Selongey. We all attended different lessons depending on which class our correspondents were in. The first drastic difference to St. Peter's that we'noticed was French pupils are not made to wear uniforms and the teachers dress very casually — in jeans. The English lessons that we attended went very well, but the French and German lessons were almost impossible to follow.

On Tuesday six English joined their exchange partners on a history excursion to Verdun. During the train journey they had time to get to know the French a little better. The sights visited proved to be interesting, although the constant commentary was in very fast French and communal toilets, which proved to be a great shock to all concerned, were discovered.

Those who did not have the opportunity of going to Verdun paid a visit to the S.E.B. factory, where a great many of the parents worked. It was a boring morning, as the only people who understood the guide were Mr. Hodsdon and Mrs. Whiteley, so, as instructed, we just smiled and nodded at appropriate intervals. The afternoon's trip, a tour of Dijon, was a great improvement as the guide spoke English. After this Hannah, who had been hurt earlier on in the day, along with Mr. Hodsdon and a French teacher, went to the doctors. Apart from the pain involved this was an experience as the French Medical Service is run in a way different to that of the British.

Wednesday was a day to be spent with the family. Whilst some of us went for long walks to the nearest shops, others got the chance to savour the delights of wild boar hunting. This, which took place in the woods around

Selongey, was to be repeated numerous times in the days which followed. Most of us noticed, that day, as we explored the villages in which we were staying that the population was made up of the rest of the relatives of those with whom we were staying.

On Thursday much to our delight we were re-united with our fellow English. That day both the French and the English went to Beze, where we saw the mysterious caves. Afterwards we invaded a sleepy town, which soon woke up after it was mobbed by some ninety ravenous teenagers. We ate our lunch at a School in Champlitte. It is not surprising that we were so hungry that day, for the food with which we were faced was foul, in fact it was so bad no one could quite work out what it was! The Folk Museum which we visited in the afternoon was very interesting it was just a shame that we were spoken to in rapid French. One thing we did notice that day was that we were received very well in all the schools we visited and we were always made to feel welcome.

On Friday we travelled to Beaune and saw the ancient hospices of the very beautiful city. Afterwards we were able, for the first time since we had been in France, to buy presents and postcards to send home to England. We spent a lot of our time that day trying to ease our constant hunger with chocolate croissants, a delicacy not one of us could be without. That evening was the absolute highlight of our trip. The French School held a party, to which all the correspondents and the two upper years at the School were invited. The evening was very enjoyable for both the English and French — and it turned out to be a most memorable event for all.

On Saturday morning we visited 'Toison d'Or', a large shopping complex on the outskirts of Dijon. On arriving a long queue formed outside of McDonalds, as the English were hungry for recognisable food. In the afternoon some returned to 'Toison d'Or' while others went swimming in Dijon, or stayed at home trying to occupy themselves with working out the dubbed English words behind French voices on the television. In the evening a few of the English went to the S.E.B. ball organised for the employees of the factory. Many of the parents of our exchange partners worked at this factory, as it was the main business in Selongey. The music and musicians and an evening of socialising was very much appreciated and all who went had a good time.

Sunday was another day to be spent with the families. For those of us who lived in the middle of nowhere, far from Selongey, it meant a day of riding along the bumpy country roads, standing in the back of tractors, to neighbouring villages, three miles away, to feed the family cows. This, for one person, preceded another trip to the forest to watch the beginning of a hunt of wild boar and then returning home to find that the meal the following night just happens to be the boar which is lying on the kitchen floor with its throat cut. It is not an ordeal to be wished upon anyone.

On Monday we returned to 'Toison d'Or' to finish buying our presents and to break up the long expanses of time we were spending with the families. This gave us a chance to finish our shopping. In the afternoon we left our friends, to be re-united with them on the return trip on Wednesday. That afternoon we had a chance to meet the rest of the family and to become professionals at games, such as Connect Four and Monopoly. In the evening there was a chance to taste the wild boar which had been on the floor the day before. This quickly turned one of us vegetarian.

Tuesday was the final day to be spent with the families. It was a day for occupying ourselves or meeting up with even more relatives and a six hour swim in Cap Vert — a leisure centre south of Dijon. It was here that a communication problem occurred, when you were forced to explain to the swimming pool attendant why you didn't understand the signs and trying to explain to the person who has just taken your sun-lounger that you had already placed your towel there, so that was where you were sitting. I am sure faced with this many would become the ignorant British tourist and resort to the phrase 'Je suis un(e) anglais(e)!'

We woke up early on Wednesday morning said our goodbyes to those we were leaving behind at home and arrived at the School for 6.30 a.m. Many French came to see us off amid cries of joy and sadness and promises to return letters as soon as possible we set off for home. I think we were all a bit upset at leaving and many shed a tear. As we reached Dover we cheered up and in states of sheer exhaustion, at midnight, we arrived home. School tomorrow!

The exchange trip to France was for all an episode not to be forgotten. We got our first chance to savour real life in France, far different to that which is read about in textbooks and encountered on normal family holidays. We seemed always to be complaining about our hunger and we actually began to appreciate 'English meals'. We discovered that the French seldom use the perfect Schoolbook French which we learn. The trip held many surprises from wild boar hunting to the S.E.B. ball. Whether we enjoyed the trip and intend to return to our families on our own or with School I am sure we all found it to be the experience of a lifetime. With many thanks to Mr. Hodsdon, Mr. Shaw and Mrs. Whiteley (and all those involved across the Channel) for the successful organisation of the French Exchange Trip. Hannah Cowdy, Sam Carter and Julia Toms

Pendant dix jours quarante quatre eleves du college de Selongey sont partis decouvrir l'Angleterre dans une ville superbe: YORK.

Nous sommes partis de SELONGEY LE 21 mars a 7 heures du matin. Le voyage en bus jusqu'a ZEEBRUGE ne nous a pas paru tres long. En fin d'apres-midi nous avons embarque sur le NORSTAR. La traversee qui a dure 14 heures a ete un moment inoubliable. Nous avons ete accueilli par le policier du bord qui nous a recommande d'avoir un comportement exemplaire. Nos professeurs ont repondu qu'il n'y aurait pas de problemes car nous etions des anges.

Nous avons beaucoup aime la disco, le restaurant et les cabines.

Nous avons debarquee a Hull le lendemain a 8 heures. Nous sommes arrives a St. Peter's School a 10 heures 30. Nous avons l'ecole superbe. Nous avons ensuite retrouve nos correspondents qui nous attendaient avec leurs parents.

Le lendemain nous nous sommes rendus a la chapelle, ensuite nous sommes alles au musee de Jorvik qui retrace le vie de York a l'epoque des Vikings. C'etait une visite tres interessante, meme les odeurs etaient reproduites. Nous sommes egalement alles en excursion au bord de la mer, a Whitby, un petit port de peche. Le meme jour nous avons visite le Sea Life Center oil nous avons vu des poissons dans des aquariums. Le jeudi 26 mars nous sommes alles a Londres au musee des sciences, nous y avons passe trois heures et nous avons vu des avions, des ordinateurs et l'histoire de la medicine. En partant on nous a montre le centre de Londres, Big Ben, 10 Downing Street. Nous avons apercu le palais de la reine, elle s'y trouvait car son drapeau flottait sur Buckingham Palace.

Nous avons ete tres bien accueillis dans les families. La salle de bain etait un endroit agreable at drole car au lieu d'un interrupteur c'etait une cordelette. Nous avons beaucoup apprecie les repas. Nous avons ete surpris par le fait que les Anglais mangent le fromage apres le dessert.

Nous pensons que l'Angleterre est un tres beau pays. Les gens y sont tres accueillants et la nourriture est delicieuse, contrairement a ce que disent certains Francais.

Le ler avril, c'etait le jour du depart, nous avons prepare nos bagages sans enthousiasme. Nous ne voulions pas repartier. Nous avons quitte York a 14 heures apres avoir dit au revoir a nos families respectives. L'emotion etait au rendez-vous. Certains d'entre nous pleuraient.

Nos tenons a remercier nos amis anglais, nos parents, St. Peter's, notre college et les professeurs anglais et francais pour ce magnifique sejour qui nos a permis de progresser en anglais et de decouvrir la vie quotidienne du pays.

For the second year running pupils from St. Peter's joined Ampleforth College's long-established exchange with the Gymnasium St. Stephan in Augsburg. Louise was one of those who went this year.

5.45 a.m., Tuesday 7th April, York station. Weary before we even set off, seven drowsy teenagers, clearly eager not to upset any of the boss's meticulous planning, clambered clumsily onto the 6.00 a.m. InterCity service to London King's Cross. The journey, for me, induced a two hour doze, hence on arrival at King's Cross I was feeling more than prepared to tackle the chaos of the underground's daily 8.00 a.m. commuters, and accept the fact that due to a bomb scare on the Piccadilly line we would have to change lines. However, we did finally reach Heathrow and met the remaining "southern" members of our party. I must say I felt quite relieved to leave behind the perplexity of the Capital's so-called organised underground system, and was now feeling more than eager to meet my exchange partner.

To even begin to attempt to recount my experiences in a space of 300 or so words is understandably nearly an impossibility, but what I can do is share some of my memories.

I had spent time in Germany before, so I was not completely bewildered by the immediate warmth and affection of my exchange family. Greeted with a posy of flowers and a very chatty father and son, I was able to relax and let them do most of the talking on the car journey home, interrupting with "yes, the journey was fine, no delays....", in German, of course!

During my two week stay in Wulfertshausen, a small village 7km north of the splendid 2,000 year-old city of Augsburg, Bavaria, my attachment to my "new" family became surprisingly strong. My German inevitably improved as I slotted into their hectic daily life, becoming simply child number five, receiving pocket-money, gifts and, of course, their love and care.

I could show you numerous breath-taking photographs of splendid castles and Baroque-style churches which I visited, comment upon the beauty and culture of Bavaria, ramble on for hours about the appetizing Bavarian dishes, or how I almost became a connoisseur of Augsburg's many quaint bars. However, what I really left Germany with, was not merely photographs and memories, but a wonderful love for Bavaria, for the German language and culture, and most clearly of all the knowledge of my exchange family's tremendous warmth and affection, and their genuine wish, and mine, for me to return very soon.

Sonia Rouget, Peggy Orry, Frederic Clairotte, Rachel Zunino and Fabien Chambellant Louise K. Jowett

Two minibuses, twenty-two players and three staff set off on a cold day in February. (Luckily the same number returned!) Two games in two days and "Scottish" beer were survived.

The hotel was really excellent and I very much hope that we will return to the Berwick Walls and "Jim" before too long.

The Reavley clan were out in numbers on the Friday and a good time was had by all, thanks for the redecoration Paul! Instructions as to curfew were followed to the letter as was the compulsory fried breakfast on the following morning. Mr. Morris took the record and was still "eating" on our return from morning training. Then it was off to Alnwick R.U.F.C. where we beat a Colts XV by 56 to 0. Mr. Lawrence led the celebrations which were only marred by the injury to Clifford Coggrave who broke his collar bone during the game. An assortment of food was consumed after visiting Berwick R.U.F.C. for an introduction to our Sunday opponents. The Lipman curry brigade sampled the menu at the "Magna" and we all suffered for it. "Yes, mine's a bourbon" Lawrence and "Spoofking" Morris led us all astray and I was delighted not to be playing the next morning. C.J. and Toby were granted a curfew extension but despite all their efforts they could not prevail upon the local "talent" to oblige!! 11 o'clock on Sunday we kicked off against Berwick Colts. For all but a few this was to be their last game for St. Peter's. It was fitting that against good opponents who tackled with borders' ferocity we played some of our best rugby with both wingers running in splendid tries. The experience gained by the younger players will be invaluable next season. For the leavers, it was a well deserved win (19-0) with which to end their rugby at St. Peter's.

We were well entertained by our hosts with our "boat race" team winning in style. Toby "the spoons" did well and "one engine" Batty got soaked. Angus and Chris showed their balance whilst Paul Reavley organised the proceedings. We must thank Sandy Reavley, Alan Bell and the whole of Berwick R.U.F.C. for their splendid hospitality.

Thanks go to Mr. Morris and Lawrence for their help and the players for their co-operation with "my rules".

(Ben Butler, Simon Coulbeck, Lindsay Daniel, Peter Devine, Jessica Ensor, Paul Gorman, Dugan Jackson, Melissa Marlow, Thomas Oakley, Richard Pipes, Charles Rayne-Davis, Lucy Sampson, Mark Scott, Hugh Shedden, Rachel Smith, Emily Strong, Andrew Wallis, Mr. Bell, Mr. Bulcock)

After leaving a sodden England, and a night in some Marine barracks, we had a calm crossing to Santander. This was made memorable by the ferry band "Rainbow", which Paul and Rachel danced the night away to. Disembarked to find ourselves confronted with the 24-hour drive through Spain, which seemed to last forever. We did, however, break the record, greatly helped by Mr. Bell's fluent Spanish and Mr. Bulcock's intricate knowledge of roadside services.

We sailed to Africa and docked in Ceuta, with some spare time to go duty-free shopping. When we got to the border it seemed the locals had done the same. We were entertained by them dashing behind cars and trucks laden down with four TV's each, trying to avoid Moroccan import duties. Mr. Bulcock knew what to expect; going off to do the paperwork he took Tom and Andy as minders! As a result we soon made to the quiet hotel in Asilah for a swim and a meal.

The next day was appropriately April 1st. This was because we went into the town to experience the culture and saw the negative aspects of the Arabs. Smuggling with the strangely-named currency we were at the mercy of the silver-tongued traders. Pete came off worst, paying enough to feed him for a week, instead of the realistic £8 for some authentic arab dress. Though this was not as serious as Dugan deliberately losing his passport to conceal his identity.

We had the last laugh when Charles proved to be the more shrewder businessman. As we continued on down through Morocco we honed our bargaining skills and by the time we hit Marrakesh we were ready for anything (except maybe Marrakesh). Despite shop keepers offering us "Student Prices" we managed to actually get what we wanted to buy. Ben came away with an Indiana Jones Whip which revealed his inner-self, until it snapped while he swung from a tree.

However, the main aim of the trip was to go to the Sahara. We made it there after a lengthy drive out of Marrakesh, over the Atlas Mountains and into the desert. We camped for eight days in the wilderness near the Blue Springs of Meski, where a welcoming party of "O.P.'s" and "Olavites" quickly formed. The temperatures varied between 41 °C and 4°C and we had snow on one occasion.

However, the sun prevailed and so sun bathing was undertaken with enthusiasm. The best tan award went to Dugan, which was incredible as he never removed his trenchcoat! Unfortunately Scottish Hugh did not follow this great idea and even his factor 45 could not save him from a little sunburn. Jess managed to put all that behind her, although Mr. Bell was adamant that he should apply some after-sun. Everyone enjoyed desert life, with its full facilities. Ed Savage had built an en-suite convenience two years ago and the hill was well this year. We also used the local springs where the locals proved to be amongst the nicest Arabs we ever came across.

The trip's only sticky (make that sandy) moment came when a terrific sandstorm hit the camp. It was so severe Richard and Emily were almost blown away. But at least we faired better than Yasa Arafat, whose plane came down the day before. This all took place on election night, and it was quite strange to be sat on the bus with sand everywhere, listening to the results come in on the World Service.

Unfortunately we had to leave the desert and make the marathon journey home. It should be noted the locals wanted us to sell them the girls and then go home, but we made the tough decision to keep them, as they sang well on the bus. In the end we all came home having had a great time and with a real mixture of memories; some hilarious, some alarming. We were all sorry to see Tom, Andy and Mr. Bell go when we got to Taunton, sorry that we weren't getting off with them because the bus was agony. We ended our trip at 4.00 a.m., arriving at The Manor for a few hours sleep before being woken by the fire alarm. Then came the highlight of the trip, cooked breakfast care of Mrs. Bulcock. Thanks very much.