Friday 17th July 2009

Arriving at the shopping centre at 9 am proved a big mistake as none of the shops opened till 10am. When the shops opened everyone rushed to their favourite shops and spent the rest of their money. Having to back at the hotel by 11am we quickly moved on back to the hotel.

On the flight back home we went through alot of turbulance but seeing as we were Davison girls everyone found it so much fun. When we arrived at Heathrow we were lucky enough to see James May from Top Gear. The first thing everyone said was how cold it was, thats how we new we were back in England. How sad we were, we all wanted to go back to Germany.

The night we went BOWLING

I never knew there were so many ways to get a bowling ball down the lane, we certainly tried a few. From slow motion to lying on your belly the ways got even more complex each time. The free socks kindly given by the bowling alley was definately the highlight of everyones day. We had an a hour and half in bowling alley made some of the scores unbeatable, including four strikes in row by Sophie Williams.

Here is a short video:

TV Tower

After a depressing morning at the Concentration Camp and a historic afternoon at the castle, we walked to the TV tower in the middle of Berlin. Being over 286 steps and 368 metres high, we were glad they had an lift to rush us up. When we got to the top the views were overwhelming of this great city at night, we could could see everything, including the sites we where going to see on the tour the next day. Everyone managed to have fun at the top of the TV tower even if they were scared of heights, one group even had a photography competition going on. We were up their for about an hour and it is amazing how much one place can change in a scene at night.

Here is a video on the Tv tower- The only way is up....

Berlin Bike Tour

The lovely american tour guides of Fat Tire Bike Tours gave us a wonderful morning cycling around Berlin. They gave us an understanding of all the historical buildings and events that happened in the heart of Berlin. A three and half hour journey allowed us to see Checkpoint Charlie, the Berlin wall, the Brandenburg gate and the old site of the Prussian Palace that was torn down by Communists. Jade and Anna were the lucky two to join the guides on the Tandem (bike made for two).

Overall it was a very enjoyable morning and everyone had a great time.

Here are the year 10 cycle group half way through their journey.

Sophie Charlottenburg Schloss

Everyone was a bit down hearted when they found out they were going to look aroud a castle. Yet when we arrived we were shocked by the sheer beauty of the building. The pure size of the building, just for one woman, Queen Sophie Charlotte, astounds you. Seeing how the rooms were so beautifully decorated reveals to you why Sophie Charlotte spent so much of her time there.
As you wander round the beautiful gardens you will see a lovely water fountain, and on a hot day you will not be able to resist the temptation to jump in and cool off. Many of us did. Just as Miss Seear and Miss Comben came over to have a quiet word, they saw Mr Mcdonald Bowyer (Deputy Head Teacher)joining in and taking photos for us. Over all we had very good day despite the muggy weather.



Your reporters from berlin, Sophie Williams and Ellie Kilby

Sachsenhausen Consentration Camp

"Arbeit Macht Frei" the famous statment at Sachsenhausen consentration camp, meaning ' work gives you liberty'. Of course this never came true. The atmosphere at the camp spoke for its self as all the girls wondered round the camp silenced by its daunting past. Whilst at the camp we were all given commentary hand sets so that we could understand what people really went through in this traumatic place. I don't think anyone will forget the hidden message being sent across by these abandoned buildings.





Written by Sophie Williams and Ellie Kilby your reporters from Berlin.

Spree Boat Trip Through The Heart Of Berlin

Much to our excitement we had the boat trip re-introduced into our schedule, much thanks to Grundschule am insulaner, our partner school in Berlin. After an intense train surfing competition on the U-bahn (underground) we met our german buddies and boarded the boat for our ride through the heart of the city. The hour long journey up the river spree seeing all the great sights along the way.

At School in Berlin

This afternoon everyone was thrilled and ecstatic to be having language lessons.

Due to the lack of sleep and the hot temperatures reaching 29 degrees, enthusiasm was running low until we met the kind teachers. We were split up into three groups and we learnt direction words to help us navigate around the streets of Berlin. Two of the groups went out for some practical learning going out and asking directions to specific destinations of the surrounding area, although most of us still managed to get lost ! the other group stayed behind but still managed to have lots of fun playing games.

Written by Ellie Kilby and Sophie Williams your reporters from Berlin.

Zoolologischer Gartens - Berlin

Everyone had a great time at the zoo today. There was a huge variety of wild animals that none of us had ever seen so close before. Knut, the world famous polar bear, was out on display although, much to our disapointment, the heat had sent him and his family to sleep. The other collection of animals had us running like a pack of wild animals trying to see them all with little time to spare.

No, its not Knut on Frau futcher's head she had just brought a silly hat.




We were trying to act our age until the excitment of the playgroud with sand overcame us and we gave into the temptation and all rode the wobbly dragon.

Written by Ellie Kilby and Sophie Williams in Berlin.

Grundschule visit

For all our troupe this afternoon proved to be the first time we had set foot in a German School. Grundshhule am Insulaner has been the partner school for Davison for 3 years. On our arrival we were greeted by excited german students and a huge table of cakes, fruit and drinks. Girls were swiftly divided into groups and sent off to engage in activites including making African music, Rocket science, making lemonade, sharing German and British history, acting and theatre. The afternoon was rounded off with a game of volkerball which was pretty fast paced but I have to confess I am still puzzling over the rules now.




German and British schools gather




African Dance




German and British history lesson




Water rockets




Lemonade factory

Terminal 5 Heathrow

Waiting expectantly in the hallway of Terminal 5. Everything looks funky and new. Hope they have got the baggage problem sorted out.

Error already

Cleary too early. Its 2.00am not pm


-- Post From My iPhone

Is this just too early?

Is not often that you start the day at 2.00pm but today is clearly different. 44 Davison students gathered in the darkness on the car park of the school surrounded by anxious parents. Goodbyes have been said, cheeks kissed, and we are now on our way. In a minute I know that the girls are going to stop talking. I thought that they would do that 20 mins ago. I guess it is just too exciting.