10 Jun 2008 - DUTCH EXCHANGE
GOING DUTCH
Early on Friday 6th June 12 members left Mersea to board the morning ferry at Harwich Port, to travel overseas to the Hook of Holland, six and a half hrs later we dock and disembark, we are met by Iman Kars, we travel for about 1hr till we reach Ouddorp, where we are greeted by our hosts Martin and Geeria whose home we are all staying at, they have a huge place with a massive garden, football pitch, and a huge pond with its own island! Once we are all shown where we are bedding down, dinner is served in the large tent we had fresh fish which was caught that morning by Martin’s son, it was lovely and all the children enjoyed it! which surprised me. Saturday was the day of competition there were 100 competitors taking part and there was some tough fights ahead for our players, nearly everyone performed to there best of their ability (sorry Dave but it wasn’t your best, maybe it was Danny who unnerved you!!) everyone received a trophy. Results –gold=Craig Bunyan, Silver=Josh Whiting, Catherine Blacklock, Danny Blacklock, Bronze=Eleanor Bredin, Amelia Smith, Amelia Young, Oliver Young, Bryony Humm, Alex Booth and Dave Bredin. After the presentations were made we returned back to the house for a bar-b-q, the children played football and we sat and relaxed. Sunday morning we all had a lie in which was needed, then after breakfast we headed to the beach for more fun, Martins son and his friend Wimpy bought along there speed boats for us all to have ride and steer( don’t let Bryony steer a boat ever!!) the water was cold but children don’t feel it and all went for a swim, when we returned home we thought it would be a good idea for everyone to shower (Oliver was starting to stink, Dave had to threaten him with a scouring pad if he didn’t wash his hair!!) after dinner we took a group picture with our hosts, and before long the water fight began, and everyone ending up in the pond, even Josh and Craig got wet after trying to look cool!!!
Monday morning after breakfast we all packed our gear away (apart from the ‘blacklock’ who left her judo suit behind, no surprise there!) and said our thanks and goodbyes before we set of for the Hook to travel home.
This trip was truly a lovely experience because of such a great bunch of children, we had no fights or upset, they were funny, well mannered and very well behaved, Danny was such a help to myself and Dave, he is great company and still surprisingly agile after his defeat of Dave (sorry had to mention it again!) also we had such great hosts who are always so welcoming and kind to us all. Iman will come to Mersea for a exchange sometime in October/November this year and I know he will enjoy himself as much as we did.
Kate Bredin.