On Monday 28th June 2004 30 pupils from Year 9 set off for Holland in a coach accompanied by 4 members of staff and the coach driver. Having crossed the North Sea on a Seacat Ferry from Harwich to Hook of Holland, we negotiated Rotterdam and eventually arrived at our hotel in the seaside resort of Noordwijk aan Zee in which we spent 3 nights, returning on Thurday 1st July.

In Noordwijk there were opportunities to let off steam on the sandy shore of the beach; to visit the local mini-golf course; and to sample Dutch ice-cream.

In Amsterdam we were able to see around Anne Frank's House and all were suitably moved by the experience: Following a walk through Amsterdam, passing through the famous Dam Square, we embarked on our canal cruise and were able to see many of the canals and local architecture. The trip to Amsterdam was rounded off with a visit to the Van Gogh museum where a number of prints were bought in the museum shop.

Other delights included a visit to a cheese and wooden clog farm and a trip up the Rotterdam Euromast where we were able to ascend over 185 metres in the 'Space Cabin'.

However, the trip to the 'Duinrell Amusement Park' was certainly enjoyed by all especially as included the 'Tikibad Swimming Complex' which is the largest indoor aqua paradise in Europe.

Many thanks to Gill Kinnear for organising the trip and to Diane Gillanders, Caryn Pepper and Martin Hugall for their help in accompanying the trip.

Click on the thumbnails to enlarge:

Photos by Martin Hugall and Thalia Tuttle