First up was the trip to the Torres winery where the girls learnt all about the process of making and marketing wine including a tour of the vineyard and some tasting of grape juice. We were then off to the city for the first time, stopping at the City of Barcelona Museum where we could walk amongst the ruins of Barcino, exploring the clever ways the Romans went about their lives such as washing clothes and making wine. After a busy day, the girls went bowling in a quaint local place; well done to Alex T for her impressive victory!
The next day, the Heathfield group visited the cloisters of the old cathedral, lighting a votive candle to Santa Rita, the patron saint of lost causes. We then made our way to the town centre where the girls collected data for their geography studies through a tourism survey, with Lily and Imogen winning a prize for being the quickest geographers. We all met at the famous Casa Mila, where the girls were able to see Gaudi’s style first hand as well as imagine the luxury of early 20th century living for the wealthy Catalans. This packed day was followed by the trip to the old favourite Tibidabo theme park at the top of Barcelona where many girls braved the haunted house and various other rides.
The highlight of the trip was Gaudi’s magnum opus, the spectacular, unfinished Segrada Familia where the girls admired the wonders of the nativity façade, the modern interior and the clever passion façade. After they were rewarded with pizza, Heathfield girls took a stroll in the beautiful gardens of Parc Guell, seeing the famous lizard sculpture and the colourful, chaotic style of Gaudi. The day ended with a quiz on the trip, testing the girls’ knowledge on what they learned and also what they had noticed; well done to Victoria and Esme for coming away as winners!
On our final day, we made our way up to the top of the mountains to Montserrat, taking a ride up to the peak in a funicular before visiting the monastery and rubbing the globe of the mysterious and ancient Black Madonna. At last it was time for us to return home, but not before the official trip prize giving in which Alex G won Most Helpful for being my translator for the trip and Lydia for being most inquisitive with a number of insightful and thoughtful questions. Thanks to the staff Anita, Louise, Mr Valner, Miss Kendall and Mrs Worrall for all of their hard work on the trip and to the girls for being such a credit to the school.