Sponsored Walk

Mary King's Close/Ceramic Experience/Dinner with Barbara

http://www.realmarykingsclose.com/

Kirkliston Primary School: Assembly/P.6

Currie High School

Falkirk Wheel/Linlithgow

http://www.thefalkirkwheel.co.uk/

Queensferry Primary School: P7French and German tests

Echline Primary School-P.7 English presentations :Shakespeare

 Pitlochry/ Atholl Highland Gathering- Blair Atholl. Barbeque

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QfUiuJqzvE

 Maid of the Forth to Inchcolm/Fife Coastal route

S1 Penpals/Geography/Coffee Morning/

Port Edgar/Blackness Castle

Rapid Response/ Pupil Shadow/ Parents evening

A very wet day.Queensferry school are all closed today for Victoria day so we went to visit Linlithgow Bridge nursery in West Lothian - their sports day had been cancelled however because of the weather. The kids were very welcoming and also the teachers and nursery nurses. They are highly disciplined learning was pupil centred and full of activities that the children can choose from.I saw even the smallest kids using computers to learn and play.

We had a tour of the Primary School by two pupils who were very well informed. I learned a lot about fair trade from them.This is a scheme which ensures products are bought at a fair price from third world producers.

The curriculum does not seem to be exam oriented like in Kenya and there are rewards for virtues like showing respect by opening doors for others.

When we went to the staffroom for a coffee I discovered that the teachers are all female - this was a surprise.

We had a lovely visit and were made very welcome.

The rain was even heavier when we left but we managed a quick visit toLinlithgow Palace where Mary Queen of Scots was born in 1542

 We went in to see St Michael's Church which is one of Scotland's most beautiful churches. Its beauty is magnified by the Loch that surrounds the area. We learned the minister who built St Andrew's church in Nairobi was from this chucrh

Windfarm

 Sunday:Picked up Maureen's mother for church and I learned something about how they care for elderly people in this country even from a distance- they have a security device which monitors movement in the house and can alert relatives when there is any cause for concern. In the Church the service was short and precise unlike Kenya where it takes almost half a day! After the service we joined in the "Munch Brunch" - breakfast at 12.30 with other people from the congregation. Sausages and Rolls(bread) with lots of tea.

After Church we went to Beecraigs Country Park to see the Deer . It felt so cold at the top of the viewing bridge!!!! We also visited the loch and the fish farm (which was empty!!)

The Loch was surrounded by a beautiful coniferous forest and we saw some ducks but unlike Kenyan ducks they did not run away from people.

After dinner we then went into the city of Edinburgh to a concert by a choir called Exile - one of the Queensferry teachers sings in the choir.

It was a magnificent Church and  I was surprised to see an upstairs area.The roof had a beautiful decoration. I wonder how someone managed to put that on there.

The audience joined the choir at some points because the words were displayed on large digital screens at the front of the church. It finished at 10.15 and it was still not dark when we left.

Still no luggage!!!

Saturday 16th May

An anxious start to our journey when the flight was changed from 9.15 to 11.15. Luckily we were able to send a text message to Scotland to let them know! The take off was very scary and our stomachs were churning. First time in an aeroplane and it was exciting to watch the progress of the flight on the map on the small screen in front. So much to eat on the plane and the coffee was so strong! Thank God there was a toilet! Made it to Heathrow and it was like a whole city! Almost the size of Narobi! No wonder we got lost and Agnes almost fainted! The arrival in Edinburgh was much less stressful as our hosts were there to meet us - sadly for Agnes and I the luggage did not arrive! We had some fun giving the details to the lost luggage office. 9.45pm when we arrived but what a strange country... it was not dark! I had to check my watch a few times to be sure. Off to bed with a furry hot water bottle... a bit cooler than Kenya!!!!