Day Three - Is it really Monday already?

They say never begin with an apology.....so....apologies! Due to technical difficulties and a lack of WiFi the blog, despite being written, could not be uploaded yesterday so we hope you enjoy a double dose tonight. Thank you to those of you who are following our daily ramblings and posting comments.

Last night's ice skating provided a great deal of hilarity as one expert ice hockey player and 47 people resembling Bambi on ice took to the rink. After a while some semblance of co-ordination was achieved by most, though for others this pass time will not be first on their to do list in the summer holidays!

Today's seven mile walk up to the base of the Langgletscher glacier worked the calf and thigh muscles to the full, but was worth every second of pain and suffering experienced by some! Lunch at the snout of a rapidly melting and filthy dirty glacier was another first for most of the pupils (and Mrs Jackson). A full range of glacial processes and landforms were viewed and the enormity of the effects of climate change on the physical landscape left many of the pupils considering their potential impact on the world around them.

Our return to the coach, via the ice cream shop for much needed but rather expensive refreshment, was rudely interrupted by a sonic boom courtesy of the Swiss airforce! Thoughts of avalanches and landslides hastened our return journey before common sense prevailed!

This is truly a cross-curricular trip with the pupils having the opportunity to converse in both French and German....with "Ich mochte ein cola bitte" being a firm favourite today. The cross-curricular theme continued with the pupils perfecting their swimming skills in the geothermally heated spa pools at Lavey-les-Bains. Also on offer was the chance to study thermal dynamics in the sauna, condensation in the steam room and social interaction in the jacuzzi! Whirlpool baths, massage jets and the opportunity to listen to classical music underwater meant that this, for some, rivalled the experience of the Blue Lagoon in Iceland.

The focus for tomorrow is the variety of industry found in the region, and the staff are especially looking forward to visiting the chocolate factory! Results of our taste tests will be published tomorrow!