Our Unforgettable (and Very Lovely) Trip to England – June 2025

Two weeks ago, we – 41 students from Herzberg-Elster – set off on what would become a marvelous adventure to England. Spoiler: it involved a nearly exploding bus, pebbly beaches, mysterious fog, Harry Potter disappointment, and more than enough “Lovely Days” to last a lifetime.
We left Herzberg on Sunday at 10:30 p.m., buzzing with excitement and zero clue what awaited us. Twenty hours, four countries, one bus driver switch (hi, Alex!), and countless snack wrappers later, we arrived at Calais. Miraculously, we caught an earlier ferry. Less miraculously, the sea decided to show us what “motion sickness” really means. Let’s just say… not all stomachs survived the crossing.
When we finally reached Hastings, we had a bit of free time. Some of us explored the rocky beach (sand? Never heard of her), others roamed the slightly tired-looking city center. Later, we met our host families – with experiences ranging from “very nice and welcoming” to “cultural experience we will never forget.” Also: British tap water. Smells like a swimming pool. Tastes like regret. But hey – Lovely!
On Tuesday, we visited Brighton – the kind of vibrant, lively coastal town we had hoped Hastings would be. We explored the Sea Life aquarium, shopped, and sunbathed. In the afternoon, we hiked up to the cliffs of Beachy Head. The view? Marvelous. The drop? Terrifying. The selfies? Risky. We walked, we climbed, and a few brave souls even dangled their legs near the edge (don’t try this at home).
 
Wednesday was London Day 1. We parked near the O2 Arena and took the Underground like true locals. Students split up to visit either Madame Tussauds, the London Dungeon, or the London Eye. After that, we joined either the Harry Potter walking tour (“meh”) or the Jack the Ripper tour (“woah!”). Jack the Ripper won in a landslide – creepy stories, cool streets, and thankfully no actual serial killers.
   
BUT THEN – plot twist: our bus broke down. Like, actually. Smoke. Panic. Motorway mayhem. No sidewalk. No grass. No escape. Just 41 German teens playing Among Us and collecting water bottles to refill the bus coolant while the teachers, Ms. Stawski, Böttcher and Pluequette and Mr. Gasch, and Alex became a professional repair crew. Somehow, we survived. Marvelous.
Thursday took us to the ancient city of Canterbury – cobbled streets, cute shops, and a truly majestic cathedral. At noon, we entered the famous Canterbury Cathedral, and even those of us who usually yawn in churches went: “Okay, that’s kinda impressive.” In the afternoon, we went to Camber Sands, walked through shallow waves, took beachy photos, and made lovely memories with wet feet and sandy socks.
 
That evening, many of us bonded with our host families – over Uno, “Stadt, Land, Fluss”, and bilingual chaos. One family even celebrated their youngest daughter’s birthday with us. We gave her a small present, and she proudly said in German: “Ich bin elf Jahre alt.” Everyone melted. Lovely.
Friday – our last day in the UK – was full-on London Takeover. Though we missed our boat tour (oops), we had extra free time to explore the city. Some hit the British Museum, Science Museum, or Natural History Museum. Others wandered Chinatown, saw the Buckingham Palace, or took selfies with Big Ben like the true tourists we were.
The highlight? The Mamma Mia! musical at the Novello Theatre. Dancing Queens everywhere. Singing, clapping, sparkling lights – we all left the theater in full ABBA mode. And then came the best moment of the whole trip: London by night. Standing on a bridge, with the Big Ben glowing, the London Eye shimmering in colors, and the entire skyline saying goodnight – it was… well, let’s say it together: LOVELY.

At 11:30 p.m., we boarded our (miraculously repaired) bus and began the long journey home – tired, emotional, and full of British snacks.
And throughout all this, there was one voice guiding us, motivating us, reminding us to smile no matter what: Debby – our English tour manager. Every morning she greeted us with her signature line:
👉 “Oh, what a LOVELY day!”
Even when it rained. Even when we almost broke down. Even when we were clearly half-asleep.
Her secret weapon? A smile, and the word “Marvelous.” We might not have understood how she has been so positive at 7:00 a.m. – but we’ll never forget her.

England, you have been chaotic. You have been beautiful. You have been marvelous. And yes… you have been truly lovely.
We’ll be back – some lovely day.
And a big thank you to our wonderful teachers Ms. Stawski, Böttcher and Pluquette and Mr. Gasch.

J. Bock