46 Deaf people including children met up outside Crook Log Swimming pool at 5.30am on Saturday 2nd November 2002. We left at 6am and arrived at Folkestone ready to catch the Euroshuttle to France. We had 30 minutes free time to grab a cup of coffee and some breakfast. While we were waiting, we were given free bags of Harry Potter Sherbet sweets. These were magic ones where the colour of your tongue changes. Then it was soon time to return the coach. The coach drove through passport control and then onto the shuttle train. It was a moving experience, watching the driver drive into the shuttle and park up. We were allowed to get off the coach and stand in the carriage that we was in and chat during the journey to France. For many deaf members it was their first time on a euroshuttle. It was a fairly smooth journey, and it lasted 35 minutes. The train travelled in the dark tunnel for about 20 minutes. We chatted and took some photographs. Upon arrival at France we drove to Citi Europe to do our shopping. We had until 3.30pm to do our bit of shopping. Some wandered off in groups and some with their own families. Many people bought wines and spirits, and foods from the hypermarket 'Carrefour.' The shopping centre was crowded with shoppers from the UK and France. The staff of the hypermarket wore Halloween costume, and it was really nice. Upon returning back to the coach, the driver drove to another shop so that some people could buy cigarettes and tobacco cheaply. By 5pm we were on our way back to the Euroshuttle. Again, we had half hour free time, and we were able to any last minute shopping in the tax free shop. Another freebie was given out... Free sports bags if you bought something from the tax free shop! Our journey back was lovely with more photographs taken and to sing 'Happy Birthday' to David Foot who turned 21 again. He blew out a lovely birthday cake of a football pitch. We returned back to Crook Log Swimming Pool by 8pm.

Harvey Clements

Trip to France - City Europe On Saturday 2nd November about 40 people went to the France trip to City Europe in Calais. We all met at Bexleyheath in the early hours of the morning and travelled to the Euro Tunnel by coach. We then took the train into France. For many people, it was their first time and they were amazed how quickly it took to load the coach and arrive in France. When we arrived in City Europe, people went their own way to do what they wanted. Some people went straight to the drinks! Others went for some lunch or began shopping. After a few hours of shopping, the coach driver took us to the village of Calais, where we were able to buy some cigarettes and stop off for a cup of coffee. Then it was home time so we went back on the train. However there was one more surprise - David Foot was surprised by his family with a 'football' birthday cake to celebrate his 36th birthday. Happy Birthday David! Finally, I and I'm sure the others would like to say a BIG Thank You to Harvey Clements for working hard to arrange such a fantastic day!

Karen Wright