It took a long time until the coaches arrived but it was definitely well worth the wait. The coach trip was awesome as you got to sit near or next to your friends.

We left Wallingford really late (after 11pm). We all tried to calm down and sleep but were too excited to sleep straight away. We arrived at Dover in the middle of the night and boarded the ferry. We had to leave the coach and go up on deck. I was too excited to sleep so I sat chatting with my friends. We soon arrived in Calais. We travelled through the night across France, Belgium and arrived in Holland in time for breakfast! Breakfast was really lovely. There was a place on the way back to the coach where you could be in 3 different countries (Belgium, Holland and Germany) all at the same time. Then it was back on the coach and off to Aachen.

5 COUNTRIES IN LESS THAN 12 HOURS!!! Not many people can say they have done that!

When we arrived in Aachen (11am German time) we separated into groups and visited the Lindt shop where we all brought lots of chocolate! In Aachen we walked to the town passing lots of graffiti which was very artistic. We spent time looking around the Christmas Market before dinner. We went to the Goldener Schwan for amazing food. I had Schnitzel which was so lovely when I was offered another I took it. After dinner we went shopping in the High Street. Later we split back up into our groups and went back around the Christmas Market it was dark at this time and the stalls were all lit up in lights and looked wonderful. The atmosphere was really something special. I had never been anywhere like it before.

We soon had finished our time in Germany which I enjoyed so much as I was able to practise my German language. I found people in Germany very polite and helpful. It was time to go back to the coach with the presents we brought(9pm German time).

We watched a movie on the way back I fell asleep straight afterwards until we got to France. We arrived at Calais in the middle of the night and boarded the ferry. We had to leave the coach again and go back up on deck. Once at Dover back on the coach and sleep until we got back to Oxfordshire. We arrived at school very early Saturday morning (6:30am!) It was lovely to see our families again but the trip would have been better if it was longer!

The teachers that went with us were really nice and made sure we all had a great time!

-Luke, Year 8

Wir sind nach Aachen gegangen und es war sehr gut. Ich habe einen riese pretzel und bubblegum gegessen. Der weihnachtsmarkt war sehr beschäftigt und es war sehr schwer zu bewegen!

Die stände waren sehr hübsch, und Ich habe toll weihnachten geschenke für meine familie gekauft. Mein lieblingsgeschenk war einen teddybär, der eigentlich ein schaf war. Es war sehr sehr spaβ. Ich liebe Aachen!

We went to Aachen and it was very good. I ate a giant pretzel and bubblegum. The Christmas market was very busy and it was hard to move.

The stalls were very pretty and I bought great Christmas presents for my family. My favourite present was a teddy bear which was actually a sheep. It was lots of fun. I love Aachen!

-Saffron, Year 8