What a wonderful first day we have had. The weather has been beautiful, the welcome from the staff at Grendon has been very warm and the children have all been a joy to take away. There has been so much laughter and fun.
   We arrived at Grendon Hall at 10.00. am and after a quick safety chat from Michael, our lead instructor for the stay, we toured the site. We tried to complete a quiz all about the house and grounds but the questions were very hard and it was much more enjoyable to play hide-and-seek or feed the Shetland ponies.

 We were allocated our rooms just after 12.00. noon and struggled for about fifteen minutes with the dreaded duvet covers. Thankfully we were saved by the lunch time gong! As we expected, lunch was delicious, home made pizza, salad and yoghurt or fruit for dessert.
   After lunch we began the first of our art activities. Mrs Rose demonstrated how to make a dream catcher and everyone made a really good start. We’ll finish these off on Tuesday, but already they look very impressive. By 3.00.pm we were all feeling very warm and the prospect of a swim in the outdoor pool was very inviting. We had an hour’s fun and games in the water. We were very impressed by everyone’s confidence in the water.
  If lunch had been good, dinner was even better.    After so much exertion we valued the chance to have some relaxation. Diaries were completed and one or two people managed to write almost three pages. We’re not quite sure who is going to win the “JK Rowling Prize for Lots of Writing” by the end of our stay. Just before dinner we played some games – including boule. That’s what having French lessons at school does for you!

  We had fish and chips with baked beans as an accompaniment. For dessert we had ice cream and wafers. There was hardly a scrap of food left on anyone’s plate. We’ve never known children with such huge appetites. And as if they were not full enough we even opened the tuck shop for a short while.

  At 7.00.pm we walked to the village via a very overgrown footpath and tried not to disturb the residents of this sleepy little place while we painted pictures of their beautiful church.
   To ensure a good night’s sleep, we finished the day off with a game of kick rounders. It was past bed-time by the time we all completed our second innings so we thought we had better do as we had promised our mums and dads and get to bed. And yes, most people did have a shower ….. followed by a quick drink of chocolate or squash and a biscuit.
   Everyone settled well and appeared to be asleep although the children like to think that they were simply “faking it”. If they were they are even better actors than we thought they were.
   A hush settled over Grendon Hall, soft murmurs of breathing, gentle snoring and the odd pitter-patter of tiny feet as they  tip-toed to the loo . . . "just for the last time Mr Langrish".