Fellside Community Primary School

THE BOLDVIGS IN BUDAPEST - HELLO!!
Well first of all I think you are due a huge congratulations. One of the top 5 schools in the country - wow. I have just read the report in the Journal online and I am thrilled for you all. Well done!!

Well, we have settled in better than I could ever have imagined. I think this is thanks in part to technology i.e. the internet and webcam. Being able to see friends and family whilst speaking to them is just superb.

As you know we arrived in July and were immediately catapulted into tempertures well into the 40s'- phew! It was an excuse to spend most of the summer wollowing in one of the numerous open air thermal baths, emerging once in a while for a cold drink or ice cream.

August: The hi-light of August was the St Stephens day air show on the banks of the Danube. Old twin winged aircraft literally meters above your head doing all sorts of areobatic maneouvers all against the clock. To kick off the race each plane had to fly under the famous Chain Bridge,with just 12meters between water and bottom of bridge it was quite a spectacular sight! Health and Safety is not exactly paramount in Hungary. The finale of the day was a terrific firework display over the Danube.

September - start of term. After the first few days Sophie, Helena & Olivia were very blase about the whole thing. I really don't know why I worried so much! They have made some lovely new friends, but of course none can replace their friends from Fellside.

October: The Highlights of October. Two visits from home. Grandma & Grandad visited in early October, so we enjoyed showing them the sights of this jaw droppingly beautiful city. Even managing to bump into Bill Clinton on our travels-literally!!
Grandma was invited to school by Helena's teacher,
to speak to the children about her memories of WW2, blackouts and airaids etc...
During half term Helena's friend Charlotte, and her mum Helen, visited. Another excuse to see all the sights plus go bob sleighing and tobogganing -brilliant fun!

November, Olivia's 7th Birthday. I must admit Olivia's birthday, Nov 5th, didn't go with the usual 'bang'. Two reasons why not. They have never heard of Guy Fawkes in Budapest, obviously. Secondly private fireworks are banned in Hungary. With the very recent history of communism and conflict, the sound of bangers and exploding rockets would not bring back the best of memories for the residents!

December: Winter has arrived. We have a good covering of snow outside as I write this. The day time temperature is approx minus 6 degrees, and night time it's down to minus 12.brrr....Sophie enjoyed a school trip to the Christmas markets in Vienna. They were left in groups and told if they bought anything they had to speak in German to the seller. She came back with a few things so think she managed o.k.
To continue the WW2 theme which yr 5 are studying,
Helena had a not so jolly trip to the Holocaust museum in Budapest. A city whose Jewish population were so very badly affected during the war..

My day is filled with the usual stresses of ex-pat wives. Where to go for lunch, what shall I wear, when is the next manicure due... oh it is such a tough job!! - kidding. Although I must admit, it is quite scary when you meet some of these ladies and a major stress to them is not being able to find a reliable cleaner!!!

So I must be off, Helena has just leaned over my shoulder and said "Mum this is for a comment not an essay!!" Oops.

If I could just take this oppertunity to say thank you once again for all the lovely cards and gifts we received back in July. They were very much appreciated. I still keep on eye on what's going on through Fellside Matters online. The girls love to look at the photographs of their class mates and what they have been up to. Olivia is so jealous of the puppet making in year 2!
Keep up the tremendous work.
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!
XXX