Paris is lovely. Anyone looking for a holiday and contemplating where to go... I would highly recommend Paris.
Went as a kid but I couldn't remember a great deal of it...but I do remember the boat trip that I went on last night.

The views from the Eiffel Tower are just stunning... And who decided to leave his camera at home so has had to rely on a shoddy S4 camera...?

Just er.. don't go for the buses. Irisbus galore.

I'm off to Belgium next March. Hopefully staying in Antwerpen. Also hoping to do a day tour around the Netherlands by train.

Certainly recommend the stadium tours around St James' Park, they're fantastic!

(19 Jan 2014, 2:38 pm)Tom wrote Certainly recommend the stadium tours around St James' Park, they're fantastic!

Yeah they are. I'm going to do another one on a really clear day, and see if I can get a shot across Sunderland of the SoS, from Level 7.

(19 Jan 2014, 3:02 pm)aureolin wrote Yeah they are. I'm going to do another one on a really clear day, and see if I can get a shot across Sunderland of the SoS, from Level 7.

I'm sure they said you could see the North Sea from there, but it wouldn't be very nice to see 5under1and.

Well my Belgian Holiday has taken another step forward with the booking of 75% of my coach travel which has came to a total of £10.50 so far.

Got 10 nights at an Antwerp hotel costing €360.

My week long rail pass for Belgium costs €70

And my day rail pass for Netherlands looks set to cost around €60.

I really want to see more of the Lake District, so sometime in the summer (whether that be next year or the year after or even this year!) I want to make a trip up there for a couple of days, it would probably be something like this:

Train - Newcastle-Carlsile
104 - Carlisle-Penrith
508 - Penrith - Aira Force
508 - Aira Force - Windermere
6 - Windermere - Haverwaite
X6 - Haverwaite - Kendal

Premier Inn Kendal Central for the night

599 - Kendal - Grasmere
555 - Grasmere - Keswick
77A - Keswick-Buttermere
77A - Buttermere-Seatoller
78 - Seatoller - Keswick
X4/X5 - Keswick - Cockermouth
600 - Cockermouth - Carlisle
685 - Carlisle - Newcastle

Obviously it might be changed a bit, but defiantly something I'd like to do.

(09 Feb 2014, 11:44 am)Tom wrote I really want to see more of the Lake District, so sometime in the summer (whether that be next year or the year after or even this year!) I want to make a trip up there for a couple of days, it would probably be something like this:

Train - Newcastle-Carlsile
104 - Carlisle-Penrith
508 - Penrith - Aira Force
508 - Aira Force - Windermere
6 - Windermere - Haverwaite
X6 - Haverwaite - Kendal

Premier Inn Kendal Central for the night

599 - Kendal - Grasmere
555 - Grasmere - Keswick
77A - Keswick-Buttermere
77A - Buttermere-Seatoller
78 - Seatoller - Keswick
X4/X5 - Keswick - Cockermouth
600 - Cockermouth - Carlisle
685 - Carlisle - Newcastle

Obviously it might be changed a bit, but defiantly something I'd like to do.

Sounds like a good trip. Just needs the weather to be on your side, as I find when it rains in the lake district.... it really rains!

(09 Feb 2014, 11:49 am)aureolin wrote Sounds like a good trip. Just needs the weather to be on your side, as I find when it rains in the lake district.... it really rains!

Oh yeah - The weather in the Lake District is changeable too.

It was this Aira Force walk me and a relative who also enjoys outdoor activities we were planning on doing, then a possible trip on the Ullswater Steamers. http://www.walkingenglishman.com/lakes21.htm

(09 Feb 2014, 11:51 am)Tom wrote Oh yeah - The weather in the Lake District is changeable too.

It was this Aira Force walk me and a relative who also enjoys outdoor activities we were planning on doing, then a possible trip on the Ullswater Steamers. http://www.walkingenglishman.com/lakes21.htm

It can be beautiful when its nice too... The open top Tridents on the 599 are definitely worth a ride or 3. Definitely buy a day ticket though as the single fares over there are out of this world!
The 505 upto Coniston or even Hawkshead is a thrilling ride, albeit not quite the same once the B10Ms get replaced by Darts!

(09 Feb 2014, 11:55 am)tyresmoke wrote It can be beautiful when its nice too... The open top Tridents on the 599 are definitely worth a ride or 3. Definitely buy a day ticket though as the single fares over there are out of this world!
The 505 upto Coniston or even Hawkshead is a thrilling ride, albeit not quite the same once the B10Ms get replaced by Darts!

Yeah, they are ridiculous! I think it was like £5.50 on the 555 from Windermere to Keswick! :s

(09 Feb 2014, 11:44 am)Tom wrote I really want to see more of the Lake District, so sometime in the summer (whether that be next year or the year after or even this year!) I want to make a trip up there for a couple of days, it would probably be something like this:

Train - Newcastle-Carlsile
104 - Carlisle-Penrith
508 - Penrith - Aira Force
508 - Aira Force - Windermere
6 - Windermere - Haverwaite
X6 - Haverwaite - Kendal

Premier Inn Kendal Central for the night

599 - Kendal - Grasmere
555 - Grasmere - Keswick
77A - Keswick-Buttermere
77A - Buttermere-Seatoller
78 - Seatoller - Keswick
X4/X5 - Keswick - Cockermouth
600 - Cockermouth - Carlisle
685 - Carlisle - Newcastle

Obviously it might be changed a bit, but defiantly something I'd like to do.

Is it the 77a which runs along Derwent Water?

(09 Feb 2014, 12:58 pm)andreos1 wrote Is it the 77a which runs along Derwent Water?

Indeed, it does a circular around Whinlatter, Buttermere, Honister Slate Mine and Seatoller before going back to Keswick along Derwent Water.

What I did on a similar trip:

685 Greenhead to Carlisle
104 Carlisle to Penrith
X4 Penrith to Keswick
77 Keswick to Keswick via Buttermere (absolutely mindblowing journey!)
554 Keswick to Carlisle via Wigton
685 Carlisle to Greenhead.

Filled the day in nicely!

Spent quite a bit of time on the rails over the last week for work.
Don't usually list my daily goings on, but seeing as others do, thought I would break the habit of a lifetime.

Here is the breakdown.

Durham - Kings Cross (class 91)
Kings Cross - Waterloo (via Northern and Waterloo & City lines)
Waterloo - Hook (class 450)

Hook - Basingstoke - Andover (class 450 and 159)
Andover - Basingstoke - Reading (class 159 and 220)
Reading - Basingstoke - Hook (class 220 and 450)

Hook - Clapham Junction - Vauxhall (class 450 and 455)
Vauxhall - Kings Cross (Victoria Line)
Kings Cross - Durham (class 91)

Got back from my school trip to Germany late last night.

We used Hodgson's of Barnard Castle with their Y60 HCU, and they provided an excellent service. Here's a log;

Saturday 12th July
---------------------------
Got up 4:30 - left the house at 5:30, boarded and then left the school at 6:00. Put my head down until about 9:00, when we arrived at Grantham Services. Here, while we all ran in for the toilets etc, a driver changeover occured, and the guy who took us around Germany, Ian, took over. Wasn't many facilities food-wise, and by 13:00 we'd made it to the EuroTunnel terminal, however trains were delayed. Eventually we got to our hostel, in Gahlen, near Koln at 23:00, was absolutely shattered and couldn't be bothered to eat the mank food that was put before us (stale bread and butter), nor could anyone else.

Sunday 13th July
--------------------------
Due to brilliant time-keeping by our Head of German, we were all woken up at 6:30 and thrown into the dining room for breakfast (again, stale bread and butter). Left the hostel at 7:30, and despite not already being sick of being on a coach, endured a 2 hour journey to Koln city centre. First stop was the Olympics Museum - the tour guide spoke great English and explained absolutely everything, was very impressed. Then we walked to the riverbank and ate our food (one more, stale bread and butter, but this time with a slice of ham) before walking to the cathedral. Was too tired by this point, and after doing some challenge thingy, went to an ice cream parlour. That waitress had some attitude - and after a few of us told our Head of German, we watched her and her manager battle it out in front of the entire audience. Luckily we got 5 hours free time at the end of the day, so after having dinner (no prizes for guessing what it was) I hit the hay.

Monday 14th July
-------------------------
Today we got a bit of a lie-in, weren't disturbed until 8:00 and didn't leave until 11:00. We went to a town centre and did a quiz on shops and places blah blah blah, then in the afternoon went to some Roman Fort. Praise Jesus - they had A BOUNCY PILLOW! Spent about 20 minutes getting on then being pushed back off, but after a few of us capitalised on resources and got our paws on large branches, I found it a lot more enjoyable. The bloke who was in charge, who again spoke superb English, even joined in . Once more we got a few hours free time at the end of the day, and now having catched up on sleep, I played football (despite originally thinking it was hit another kid in the backside with a ball) with the others.

Tuesday
-------------------------
Was a lazy day - lay in until about 11:00 then just explored around the woods that surrounded the hostel. Found a family of hedgehogs and built them a shelter with sticks.


Wednesday 16th July
--------------------------
Today was Phantasialand - wasn't at all impressed. Only went on one ride - and queued for 2 hours to spend 2 minutes getting absolutely drenched.

Thursday 17th July
--------------------------
Travelled home - stopped at the EuroTunnel, Peterborough Services and Leeds.

There is a trip next year to Germany, and not sure whether to go or not. We are going to Düsseldorf for the Christmas Market. If we are going on the plane then I might consider it, and if we get proper meals then likewise. Has anyone been to the German Christmas Market?

(12 Oct 2014, 5:55 pm)Tom wrote There is a trip next year to Germany, and not sure whether to go or not. We are going to Düsseldorf for the Christmas Market. If we are going on the plane then I might consider it, and if we get proper meals then likewise. Has anyone been to the German Christmas Market?

I did some market thing for a challenge one late morning on my trip, had to make a picnic using all the stuff we got. Was very nice, lots of different meats to try and sample. I don't know if it was a Christmas Market or not, but if Christmas in Germany is the middle of July - then yes, I have been to a Christmas Market.

No I don't think Christmas is in the middle of July, as they are going in December, the last week of term!
So I wouldn't mind going if we stay in a proper hotel, and get decent meals.

(12 Oct 2014, 6:02 pm)Tom wrote No I don't think Christmas is in the middle of July, as they are going in December, the last week of term!
So I wouldn't mind going if we stay in a proper hotel, and get decent meals.

Ah right - well I had to endure something in the region of 10 hours with two or three service stops on a cramped, sweat-smelling coach. We have a skiing trip, and you pay another £100-£200 for the plane tickets, so I reckon you may go by coach.....

(12 Oct 2014, 6:03 pm)Marcus wrote Ah right - well I had to endure something in the region of 10 hours with two or three service stops on a cramped, sweat-smelling coach. We have a skiing trip, and you pay another £100-£200 for the plane tickets, so I reckon you may go by coach.....

Well I can guarantee you now I won't be sitting 10 hours on a coach - I'll ask tomorrow how we are getting there. 
Where are you going skiing? 

(12 Oct 2014, 6:04 pm)Tom wrote Well I can guarantee you now I won't be sitting 10 hours on a coach - I'll ask tomorrow how we are getting there.
Where are you going skiing?

Oh I'm not going skiing, fuck no not after two trips at overpriced rates!

(12 Oct 2014, 6:06 pm)Marcus wrote Oh I'm not going skiing, fuck no not after two trips at overpriced rates!

I wouldn't either! They are £1000+ aren't they?

Coach/ferry trips galore with schools, cos its generally cheaper.
Teachers get longer away from work too - cos of the extra travelling time

(12 Oct 2014, 6:13 pm)Andreos1 wrote Coach/ferry trips galore with schools, cos its generally cheaper.
Teachers get longer away from work too - cos of the extra travelling time

Looks like I won't be going then

(12 Oct 2014, 6:11 pm)Tom wrote I wouldn't either! They are £1000+ aren't they?

£500 I paid for France (plus about £200 for food & other things like money)
And £750 for Germany

(12 Oct 2014, 6:13 pm)Andreos1 wrote Coach/ferry trips galore with schools, cos its generally cheaper.
Teachers get longer away from work too - cos of the extra travelling time

Not necessarily - our teachers on the trip were constantly saying they weren't getting paid for the two extra days (Saturday & Sunday) and weren't getting any extra for being on the trip. Some even used 'free time' as an opportunity to mark work!!

@Marcus.
Think about it though. Teaching 9-15.30, with meetings plus the prep each night and marking, or a few days abroad catching up on marking, in between days out and adventures?

If that trip can be extended by a day or two either side for travelling, over a 2/3hr flight...

(12 Oct 2014, 6:31 pm)Marcus wrote Not necessarily - our teachers on the trip were constantly saying they weren't getting paid for the two extra days (Saturday & Sunday) and weren't getting any extra for being on the trip. Some even used 'free time' as an opportunity to mark work!!

All of our school trips take place during holidays, so our teachers aren't paid to supervise these trips. That said, they do go for free (their costs are split between all students attending). They don't spend their time marking - they spend their time getting mortal!

I'm going to Prague for four days in December (by Jet2), and, including all of the costs for the activities we're doing there and £100 which has been allocated for day/evening meals, I've got the trip to £400 and I spent Thursday booking certain things.
Really looking forward to it - our Business Studies teacher has done two trips to Prague with previous schools he has taught at, and he said that a starter of a bowl of soup with a loaf of bread, steak and chips, a knickerbocker glory-like dessert and a pint cost him £2.10 in equivalent GBP.

I'm also going to Paris for four (iirc) days in the Easter half term (by Eurostar), which is going to come to about £450 - again including all food and activities (can't remember off the top of my head, but includes Eiffel Tower and Disneyland Paris).
Past Sixth Form students have reported that the students and teachers go to a pub and have quite a few drinks...

(12 Oct 2014, 6:38 pm)Andreos1 wrote @Marcus.
Think about it though. Teaching 9-15.30, with meetings plus the prep each night and marking, or a few days abroad catching up on marking, in between days out and adventures?

If that trip can be extended by a day or two either side for travelling, over a 2/3hr flight...

What puzzled me was the fact that it was the end of the year, all exams and stuff had happened, and all books had been handed in for good. Yet the R.E. teacher still managed to whip out some Psychology papers, it really did leave me confused. All reports had gone out as well.