Diary of our language course in Canterbury

(organised by Mrs Lieselotte Maier,

accompanied by Mrs Irene Hanel-Gangoly,

students of the 4A and five from the 4B).

Fri 19^th Feb.: An hour’s delay at Schwechat Airport, but we arrive safely at London Heathrow. A bus takes us to Canterbury, students are taken to their host families, teachers to a B&B.

Sat 20^th Feb.: First excursion to London (sunny day!), first stop Madame Tussaud’s, then a stroll along the River Thames to the Houses of Parliament, then up to Trafalgar Square and into the National Gallery to see impressionist paintings, last stop: Covent Garden.

Sun 21^st Feb.: Second full day excursion to Rye and Hastings, it’s pouring down with rain, but we are tough, although sometimes we flee into a diner to have hamburgers and tea (Rye) or into a museum (Hastings). When the rain miraculously stops for half an hour, we enjoy the tide coming in.

Mon 22^nd Feb.: Life becomes serious, placement tests and classes in the morning in Stafford House. Visit to the cathedral in the afternoon where we get headphones. That way we know how Thomas Becket got killed in 1170 AD. We also attend an evensong in the evening.

Tue 23^rd Feb.: Lessons and project work all day, but we have a great drum workshop in the evening. It is raining all day.

Wed 24th Feb.: Lessons in the morning, visit to Dover in the afternoon. We see Churchill’s Wartime Tunnels, the Saxon Church, the Roman Lighthouse and of course, the Norman Tower. And – you wouldn’t believe it - it’s not raining!

Thu 25^th Feb.: Lessons and presentation of the Canterbury Tales in the morning (there are some great actors around), visit to the Canterbury Tales in the afternoon - oh yes, it’s raining again - and big fun in the evening, when we try bowling.

Fri 26^th Feb.: Lessons, students get their certificates, then lunch and transfer to Heathrow, plane to Schwechat has a delay, we arrive at Oberschützen way after midnight, parents are happy to see their kids again.

Mag. Irene Hanel-Gangoly