It is always great to have a student come back and visit. I took the long drive down to Stansted to be there to meet Jan Philipp, a student from our camp last year, off his flight from Dusseldorf. We got back in time to go out to a BBQ held by a church group. We didn't do too well in the first round of the quiz but then improved as the rounds went on.
The Thursday was spent relaxing around the home and then going to Alcester Alauna's Charter Presentation and wine tasting. As I was driving Jan Philipp did the drinking on my behalf (or so he says). Friday was the day I took us to Manchester including a tour of Old Trafford Football ground which was pretty impressive. We then popped into Manchester itself although the weather was less than desirable. We arrived back home just in time to go out for an Indian meal and then watched a film (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button).
Saturday was a quiet morning followed by a short drive to Aston Hall where we wandered around the gardens as the sun did choose to shine. In the evening we went to our local Thai restaurant for another great meal and tehn watched teh film UP. Sunday saw us go to Shipston on Stour's BBQ which was its usual great event. We then went to the cinema to see Toy Story 3 (very good in 3d).
Monday saw us pack our cases and while Paul headed to Swindon to work Jan Philipp and I went to Bath stopping for a snack at Bourton on the Water which was as lovely as ever. A tour of the famous Bathhouse and the Royal Crescent in Bath as well as the shops filled in the time until we met Paul for dinner at a hotel near Amesbury. Tuesday was the big day - the tandem jump for both Paul and Jan Philipp. It was interesting for me to be on the ground this time taking photos whilst they did their jumps. However, both of them seemed to enjoy it although it was far more cloudy than when I did mine. We then popped in on Stonehenge (as one does) and grabbed a snack before Paul headed back to Swindon and Jan Philipp and I headed to London for 2 days.
Whoever says women can shop for England have obviously not been shopping with Jan Philipp - he obviously shops for Germany on his own! We made sure we got tickets for a musical in the evening and then spent the rest of the day going rounds lots of clothes shops for him. We had dinner in a favourite Japanese restaurant in China town and then headed to Covent Garden to see Oliver (great musical). We then went for a walk along the embankment to see London at night with all the lights lighting up the landmarks. Thursday was Jan Philipp's last day and so we spent a fair amount of it in Harrods (his choice) where he bought a new laptop bag (I won't say how much for!). We had lunch in Covent Garden where I will admit I did some shopping for me (but only things in a sale). It was then back to the hotel to collect the car and drive across to Stansted.
I hate goodbyes but we parted at security and I then received a text message to say Jan Philipp had only landed in Dusseldorf half an hour after I arrived back home after my drive along the A14. and that was after dropping him off early. His flight only took 50 minutes and my journey took 2 hours!
It was great to see Jan Philipp again and now we look forward to welcoming back Riccardo from Italy at the end of August and receiving a new student from Lithuania. It is never boring being a host parent!