We are sailing, we are sailing…

No stormy waters for us. After a good night’s sleep, we were up early this morning for our island cruise.out to Hydra, Poros and Aegina. Quite what type of boat we were expecting to take us out I don’t think anyone can say, but probably none of us expected the huge three decker that took us out. We settled down below decks, serenaded by an international musician playing Zorba the Greek tunes for us.

Our first port of call was the island of Hydra. Today is National Day here, and we were treated to a march past of local schoolchildren, the youngest dressed in traditional Greek costumes. Like bees around a honeypot, the souvenir shops proved a huge attraction and with 21 children in tow we delighted the shopkeepers. With time limited, we managed a sea front stroll during which the children managed to acquaint themselves with all sorts of local flora and fauna, in particular donkeys, well fed cats and one particularly long and hairy caterpillar!

Our short voyage across to the island of Poros was eased with lunch. When we disembarked from the boat, we climbed up a narrow flight of stairs to explore some of the narrow cobbled streets behind the main sea front – once again, the shopkeepers took an assault! If you were worried they were thinking of you at home, you’d be amazed at how many times today we’ve heard “I’d like that for my mum”, “Dad will love this”.

We spent the next leg across to Aegina on the top deck – the sun was blazing all day, although it was chilly enough with the wind. Pretty much everyone in the group tried a “Titanic” moment, standing at the front of the boat leaning into the wind (and railings – don’t panic!). Amr did his best to lose his tour hat, seeing it blown up on top of the upper deck control room, but it was rescued by an obliging crewman. We had a delightful stroll along the seafront in Aegina, although Mrs Williams was extremely worried that she might not get another shopping opportunity. We explored the seafront, and then split into groups of shoppers (Civene was amazed at the staying power of the boys in the shops) and sunbathers/sea creature hunters.

Back to the upper deck for the trip home, the wind eventually drove us below decks where we spent the remainder of our journey. A short bus ride home, dinner and then bed – despite their denials, all that fresh air has exhausted the children (and teachers!) and beds were very welcomed this evening.

If you’re reading this back in school on Saturday morning with Mr Whitaker or Mrs Churchill, the children would like you to know that they certainly do wish you were here as they are having a blast. Unfortunately, Mrs Williams forgot to bring the spelling words so the test we promised them won’t be able to take place, unless Mr Whitaker emails them to us – but then we’re not sure if we’ll be able to fit them in between the Acropolis visit, Greek dancing, museum tours…

And a final apology for not putting pictures up – Mr Suter apologises for his technical ineptitude…