Hampton Gardens

Day 9

Our penultimate full day in Nepal! Today we finished our initiative and built a record breaking seven taps for in their mission to provide taps to every home in Nepal. We then went to Bimiri to look at the work the foundation as done providing water to this village.

Our team worked incredibly hard in the heat and then took on a bruising 7km hike home. We were treated to yet another brilliant meal at our home stay.

One more early morning to go as we take a sunrise walk to the Thrangu Tashi Yangtse Temple!

Day 8

We started our initiative today. Working with we helped build four new water taps in Syampati, a village of 35 houses two hours from Kathmandu.

Our crew mixed cement, hauled and laid bricks, and moved piles of sand and gravel to do a small part in the foundation’s work to bring clean water to rural Nepali households.

For accommodation we’ve been welcomed into a wonderful home stay run by Pim, who doubles as a brilliant chef to look after us all.

We’re hoping to build another 3 taps tomorrow before an afternoon hike led by Ian, the Bimiri Foundation’s leader.

Cologne
Just got off the ferry at Dover and looking good for arriving back at HG around 9pm. This of course depends on traffic but we will keep you updated.

Day 7

After a beautiful evening spent on the riverside our campers went to sleep happy. This morning we were served a delicious breakfast by our hosts before the second leg of the trip back to Kathmandu.

Despite making good time initially we did get caught in some traffic, making the 3 hour journey closer to 5! However, our resident DJ kept us in good spirits and there were a few singalongs in the bus to help get us through.

This afternoon we visited Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage site, much of which was constructed in the 16th Century.

Though the square today looks as it has for hundreds of years, it did suffer extensive damage in the Nepal 2015 earthquake. Thankfully most of the area has been painstakingly rebuilt to its former glory. Some of the cultural treasures included seeing the Kumari Ghar, a living goddess in the Newar Buddhist tradition, and the filming of a music video for a Nepali pop star! Another excellent team dinner followed and we’re all excited for our team project tomorrow.

Our latest newsletter is available to view on the link below:

https://sway.cloud.microsoft/P5DBlf49eNQhsQ5s?ref=Link

We would like to wish all our students and their families a happy, safe, and enjoyable summer break and look forward to welcoming students back in the new academic year.

Congratulations to the following students who received a Head's Commendation this morning:

In recognition of entering the RE Spirited Arts Award and being selected as the Hampton Gardens Winners: Tasneem S and Emilia S

In recognition of entering the RE Spirited Arts Award: Flo B, Michelle B, Sai R, Eli F, Flo S, Madalina S and Judy Q.

In recognition of participating in The Brilliant Club Scholarship Programme: Sienna P, Lily P, Flo B, Millie P, Vince S, Dilara H, Dylan S, Nella S, Oscar W, Kenna K and Olivia S.

In recognition of representing his Army Cadet Detachment in the under 13's Army vrs Navy Rugby Tournament at Twickenham: Thomas F.

In recognition of supporting the Year 6 Transition Day and making our new students feel welcome: Blake D, Jawad A, Finley W, Logan C, Lorelai R, Jessica S, Ivy-Anne A and Lauren J.

Well done all!

Thorpe Park

Hampton Gardens tea cup takeover! We are hard core!!

Local History Tour

Students enjoyed the chance to explore Peterborough's rich history with visits to the cathedral and museum this week. Highlights included:

• Climbing the hundreds of stairs to experience the incredible views from the cathedral roof
• Handling replica Roman artefacts and seeing an authentic Victorian operating theatre
• Competing to locate the blue plaques in the city centre
• Seeing a medieval windlass in the cathedral's roof space, made from oak over 1000 years old!

Paris Update

We are now waiting to board our ferry to cross from Calais to Dover. Our planned departure from France is 17.15pm (France time).

All being well, we have an ETA of 21:15 at Hampton Gardens.

Further updates on our ETA will follow if needed.