Morning Report

Apologies for the lateness of this midnight report - technical issues meant I was unable to write my entry last night (OK - I fell asleep). Anyway yesterday was again a very busy day with lots of walking. Thankfully the weather was gorgeous and many of the children said how much they enjoyed the walks through the City and along the river.

In the morning we visited the Jorvik centre where the children experience the sights, sounds and smells of a viking village. The center contains a reproduction of an actual village that was excavated on the site and gives the children an idea of how the archaeologists were able to uncover and piece together the history of York.

After Jorvik we had lunch and then a short walk to Dig where the children learn more about archaeology and have chance to do a bit of archaeology themselves. Dig also proudly own the world's largest Anglo-Saxon coprolite (Google it).

In the afternoon we returned to York Minster where we sat and sketched the exterior before visiting the gift shop. They kindly allowed us to spend some more time inside and the childre enjoyed the chance to explore the Minster in more detail. Finally the children were led round the Minster's undercroft by Mr Pratt and they could see the remains of the original Roman building that existed on the site as well as the mammoth engineering that went in to supporting the Minster's huge main tower.

After this we strolled back to the hostel, along the river and arrived just in time for dinner. Yet again the children had plenty of delicious food to choose from and again all chose sensibly - no eyes bigger than their bellies.

In the evening it was the turn of Green groups to go on the ghost walk. We heard tales about some of the many ghostly sightings that have occured in York including the phantom Roman army that marches through the Treasurer's House and the headless Earl who searches a graveyard for his head.

Talking of being headless. The teddy is now recovering from his operation. There were some complications during surgery but his head has been successfully reattached. Unfortunately if you are ever to have a conversation with the teddy he will always be looking slightly over your right hand shoulder, gazing into space.

Well, it's time to wake the children. I'm sitting in the corridor and can't hear a thing from any of the rooms. They have been so good at settling down and not getting up to early. Unlike the year there was a knock on the bedroom door at 4am and a child stood outside fully dressed, backpack on, asking what time we were leaving.

Today we are exploring more of York and then going swimming this afternoon. This evening we return to the Viking village for an evening of Viking entertainment.

Bye for now.