My first School Trip

by Peter Hague 8th Sept 2024

My first School Holiday Trip 1966

Unlike some people posting on this site, my memory is FAR from comprehensive. However I hope the following random bit of detail will provide interest. If any of my “facts” are noted as incorrect by anyone with a better recollection I would be very happy to correct….
My first ever school trip abroad was also the first time I had ever left Great Britain. We set off to the Italian Riviera: a small place called Finale Ligure. The first part of the journey I’m pretty sure was by coach and then a ferry across the channel.
The next part, by a long stretch the longest part was by sleeper train to Milan. This journey seemed VERY long. Being one of the, if not the, youngest ( 2nd year) I was “banished” to the top bunk in a compartment where three bunks were on each side wall. The top one was simply a layer of canvass very near the roof of the train. When it was time to use these, I protested that I could not see out of the window, but my moans fell on deaf ears. After a while everyone seemed to be asleep. Still being excited I remained awake listening to the doppler effect from the sound of passing level crossing bells from time to time. Each time this happened I desperately tried to lever down the edge of the canvass to see out into the dark foreign land but could barely manage an inch of view for a few seconds. Thus the next hours were more like a radio show until finally, sleep came.
I don’t recall the coach trip that took us to the “Pensione Florens” but this was where we stayed.

As I’ve noted my memory is very poor, sadly only able to recall snippets: I remember seeing Rawle (William Rawle 1962 looking at the AtoZ on this site ) having a nasty blister on the back of his leg as we walked along the beach.
I also remember one night, when all the lights were off, someone suddenly said “I wish I had a bucket and spade”. For some reason everyone found this extremely funny and the resulting laughter went on for ages.
I also recall seeing a newspaper headline referring to England winning some football match against West Germany 🙂

Despite my pitiful memory I hope some people seeing this find it interesting and even better maybe if you were with me you can fill in some blanks..

Meanwhile here are some photos I took with my Ilford Sporti 4 camera I got when I was 9

Perhaps this is the first hint of my life long love of photography

I cannot recall who is on the right, but on the left is McGarry and Fr. Eric Shorttle.

The journey home obviously involved the big train trip. I begged again for a middle bunk and finally I was allowed this great privilege.

Finally I would get to witness the rolling vista of Europe and the gentle passing of the ringing level crossings!  Actually no as I promptly fell fast asleep!!