Our final night.....

Today is mostly in the books.  I'm down in the hotel lobby waiting for the Harry Potter tour to return. I came back to the hotel with the 11 kids who did not want to go while the other chaperones went with the kids.  I had an absolute blast on the trains talking to Shannon, Sarah S, Kamiaya, Jordyn, Ian, and Laura on the way back.....lots of smiles and laughs all the way back.

Today turned out to be a fantastic day.  We began the day at the Tower of London - it was a magnificient experience and we were short on time there but overall amazing.  The Tower Bridge to me was one of the most fantastic photographic experiences of the week.  Most of the kids then went with Mrs. Austin and Ms. Stein on the Thames River Cruise and London Eye experience and they all came back from that reporting that it was a terrific experience.  We had several add at the last minute which is just fine.

I went with some of the kids around town while we waited for the touring folks.  We went to Covent Garden so I could buy a replacement suitcase for a young lady who had hers damaged by Delta and also had lunch; then we headed to the National Portrait Gallery for an hour or so ..... saw some amazing portraits including some famous scientists (Robert Boyle, Henry Cavendish, and James Watt) which is right up my alley (many may not know my bachelor's degrees are in chemistry and physics).   We then went to Harrods for some more shopping but the kids were penny wise.

After that, the group met up for dinner to have a traditional fish and chips dinner.  It was pretty typical pub food.  We split up from there and I am back at the hotel.

Overall I am getting the sense that this was a good idea and the trip has been a positive experience for all.....some more than others which is to be expected.  I'll breathe easier when we are all on the ground in Detroit.  Besides that neuroticism, I am pleased with how this trip has gone and learned a lot about running one.

I am thankful that the Berkley School District supported this trip.  I believe that giving kids the opportunity to travel abroad is one of the greatest learning experiences we could possibly provide.  Nothing replaces experiencing a new and far away place.

We check out tomorrow at 6:15 AM local time so I'll be doing a passport check tonight before kids go to bed.