Abingdonian 2017

7 www.abingdon.org.uk Michaelmas Term Marbles: Greece wants them back, and a visit to the New Acropolis Museum is enough to dispel any concern for their future upon their return. Our four hotels were well chosen, offering marvellous views (Hotel Ilissos in Athens to a lesser extent), continental buffet breakfasts, often dinner as well, and comfortable spaces for A-Level candidates to attend late-night tutorials. We relied on the abundance of restaurants and cafes for other meals, during which only one wallet was lost. The delicacy that made the biggest impression on me was chicken souvlaki, skewered grilled chicken accompanied by bread and Greek salad. It certainly made a big impression on Patrick Johnson, who was sick all over the streets of Athens. Fortunately Mr Hallinan was close at hand, as indeed he was when Hayden Ramm indulged his sesame seed allergy with a bite of halva at breakfast. Besides picking up the casualties, Mr Hallinan also brought his in-depth knowledge of medieval Europe to the table whenever we were bemused by a Frankish castle. Behind each stunning photograph on the school website is Mr Jenkins, adjusting the zoom with one hand and collaring itinerant third years with the other. Dr Burnand, who ran the trip, has already received the gratitude of the Upper Sixth in the form of a bust of Pericles (the famous ‘first prime- minister of Greece’ we were assured by the vendor) and a naughty book from the New Acropolis Museum. This year’s staff-created quiz on the hotel terrace, including picture and cryptic elements, was won by my team, ‘The Seventh Cohort of Waterson’, making a late run from third in the penultimate round. The premier athletes of the trip in stadium races revealed themselves as Ben Ffrench and Vil Kiraikou. The photograph competition was won by William Sheffield’s shot of the Temple of Poseidon, capturing the beautiful sunshine at Cape Sunium on our final morning. As the last thing the ancient mariner would see on the horizon as he voyaged away from Attica, the temple (upon which, after great efforts, we finally found Lord Byron’s signature thanks to the efforts of Gabriel Dobson) made for a touching farewell for us too. As my departure from Abingdon draws nearer I grow ever more envious of the classicists who will be off to Provence in 2017. Good luck to them and long may this trip continue. Many thanks once again to all those who prepared and executed it. Henry Waterson, VIRP