Our penultimate day in China and Alex and Thomas have been out and about to bring us this report:
Alex
We visited a Middle School and watched the assembly
After breakfast we visited a Kindergarten, it was a great play with the pupils
Following the kindergarten visit we took a taxi to Hong Kong shopping mall I got some presents
In Volleyball it was an exciting game
Athletics we were going to go athletics it was too late so we came straight back to the hotel
Old Shanghai town we did some shopping and had a meal and came back to the hotel
Champagne moment of the day: Volleyball - it was an exciting game between Finland and Slovakia
Thomas
Today we went to the middle school for the assembly then we went to the kindergarten and played some games then we went to the volleyball to watch the finals and that was excellent.
Champagne moment of the day: watching the volleyball finals.
Our evening trip took us very hurriedly to Shanghai's Bund. The reason for our rush was that we could not find taxis for all the group and by the time we did everyone ended up having to run so that we didn't miss our boat trip. It certainly helped to raise our heart rates and our steps on the pedometers. Thomas' pedometer started the evening at 1,000 steps and finished at over 8,000 - great work out for everyone!
We had a boat trip up and down the Huangpu River taking in the fantastic sights and bright lights - a sight to behold. I think most people's favourite landmark was the Pearl Tower and we are going up here tomorrow evening - great. See if you can find out what the Bund is and which historic buildings it actually houses?
We finished our evening with a walk along the Bund and then up Nanging Road - China's most famous shopping street. Here Mr Dawson and Mr Thompson managed to buy some designer t shirts at Chinese prices, which made them both very happy!
Pearl Tower from Haungpu River
Following the medal ceremonies at the gymnastics event we headed straight to the Shanghai Pudong Natatorium where swimming finals were happening. 
The stadium was packed out for these finals. This meant we did not have seats very close to the action but still had an exciting afternoon. Sadly for us only one British swimmer had made it through to these final stages and was placed 6th in her final. Although we had no one in particular to cheer for we joined in with everyone else and made plenty of noise in support of swimmers from all the other countries.
Fantastic full day at the 2007 Special Olympics Summer Games. The morning saw us visiting the Shanghai International Gymnastics Centre for the Men’s Artistic Gymnastics Finals & Awards. We saw some very exciting competitions in all Olympic disciplines. There was a great battle between the Russian gymnast and the Great Britain gymnast, Lee Davidson.
We were very fortunate to be sitting beside the Great Britain team who joined with us in cheering Lee on to his overall silver medal. It was a very close competition but Lee just wasn't quite good enough to beat the Russian gymnast, Valeriy Yagafarov. Lee also took second place in the following disciplines behind Valeriy Yagafarov - Floor, Horizontal Bar, Parallel Bars, Pommell, Rings and Vault. A fantastic achievement all round. Before leaving the stadium for the swimming we were able to witness some of the medal ceremonies as well.
Lee on his way to Silver for GBR
Mr Thompson in action?
Hot off the press from Alex:
Visit to Luan Special school – enjoyed joining in games with other pupils. I liked the really warm welcome and the lunch was ok. Enjoyed the little work shops that had been set up especially the painting workshop
Free time
Champagne moment of the day: I enjoyed playing ping pong with pupils
...and Thomas:
Visit to Luan Special school – I liked it because it was a nice little quiet school. School dinner was just all right, not great
Free time
Champagne moment of the day: I enjoyed playing games with the pupils.
Alex reporting:
Tai-chi – went for a run and did some exercise with Mr Dawson
Athletics – the stadium was fantastic, the racing was exciting, would like to have stayed and watched some more events. Did not spend long enough here.
Old village – was interesting and worthwhile. Boat trip was good but disappointed that we were only on the boat for such a short time.
Champagne moment of the day: Doing tai-chi at 6:45
Thomas reporting:
Athletics – I enjoyed the athletics and wish we could have stayed longer because it was really good.
Old village – was all right. Bought a few presents.
Champagne moment of the day: Going to see the athletics
Thomas Humble is the second reporter we have managed to persuade to publish on the Hilltop School weblog. He is currently on location in Shanghai for the Special Olympics. This is not only the first trip abroad for Thomas but also the first time he has ever flown. An epic first journey all round.
Thomas, like Alex, has some very interesting news regarding his travels and the adventures he has had to date. Read on to discover exactly what Thomas has been up to on the first few days of his trip to China.
Thomas will also provide us with regular reports from Shanghai. Remember to log on over the next few days to hear of future adventures.
Our roving reporter, Alex Treloar, has just sent his most recent report for publication on the Hilltop School weblog. Alex is currently on location in Shanghai for the Special Olympics Summer Games 2007. He has some interesting news regarding his visit to China for the Special Olympics and the adventures he has had. Read on to discover exactly what Alex has been up to on the first few days of his trip to China.
Alex has kindly agreed to provide us with regular reports from Shanghai. His great interest in sport should be a real bonus to our Special Olympics coverage. Remember to log on over the next few days to hear of future adventures.
Ms Cooper has contacted school to say:
Hi been to the swimming and the volleyball at the Special Olyimpics
Friday 5th October
Today we visited th Pudong Natatorium to watch the swimming preliminary rounds. Whilst there we were fortunate enough to witness Zoe Kale take bronze in the ladies 800m freestyle. Swimmers competed in variety of classes and the pupils found the event very interesting.
In the afternoon it was off to the University sportshall to take in some volleyball. We watched several games with great interest and the pupils would now like to see volleyball reintroduced to the Hill Top PE curriculum!! We saw teams from China, Russia, USA, Turkey and India in action. The games were all close and the pupils found the sport very exciting.
Swimming
Volleyball
Turkey v China
We have only been here for 3 full days but we have had the opportunity to try a great variety of traditional Chinese food. Ms Cooper has taken some very good photographs of the dishes we have sampled. As you can see they are always so beautifully presented. Scott has definitely been the most adventurous of us all and has tried and usually eaten everything put in front of him.
Once again you have heard about our trip on Thursday from both Ms Cooper and Mr Dawson. Following lunch we visited The Leiflong Pagoda. A new pagoda was built in 2002 on the ruins of the old pagoda. The underground chamber of the pagoda has been uncovered and we were able to view this (most of us were fascinated by all the money that had been thrown behind the glass case that protected this area - perhaps it is a similar custom as we have with wishing wells?) The new pagoda is built in the same style as that of the original one in appearance, size and structure. The pagoda is 72m high and we went right to the very top - a few people were not very comfortable at the very top!
Once again read on for our photographic record of the visit to the pagoda.
You have already heard about our excursion to Hangzhou's famed West Lake from both Ms Cooper and Mr Dawson. This is 5km (3 miles) in diameter and crossed by two ancient causeways open to pedestrians only.
Our boat trip on West Lake took us to the Island of Small Seas in the middle of the lake. The island was created in 1607 and is shaped like a wheel, its four spokes demarcating four lotus ponds. At the hub is a zigzag bridge leading to the flower and bird pavillion. Here we had our photographs taken by the carved wooden screens and had a view of the Three Pools Mirroring the moon. These are three small water pagodas that seem to float on the lake surface. If you continue reading you will see a photographic record of our visit to West Lake.
We have had an email from Mr. Dawson which we would like to share with you unfortunately the pictures he sent couldn't be opened
Miss Cooper contacted school to tell us that they spent 4 hours by coach to visit Hangzhou, West Lake and old style town. They had a boat trip, had lunch and then climbed up a pagoda. The weather is 32 degrees. Mr Ge Joing is looking after them well.
As the end of our first, very busy day in Shanghai came to a close these are some of things we saw.
After our delicious meal we were then whisked away to People's Square (Renmin Gongyuan Square). This was for our visit to the Shanghai Museum which is the city's and China's finest gallery of traditional treasures. Here we saw many interesting artefacts dating back to the bronze age and up to the 20th century. The visit was enhanced by the audio machines we were loaned with english commentary of all that we saw. A veritable feast for everyone's eyes.
Thomas and Alex get to grips with the audio machines
Coin Gallery (Alex's favourite)
Ceramics Gallery (Ms Cooper's favourite)
Continue reading to see more of the 120,000 piece collection of artefacts. This is not the largest in China but it is the best displayed as you are able to see.
Following our lovely and very large meal...we lost count of the number of courses...Mr Ge Joing and staff from Luwan Special School presented us all with a welcome gift. As you can see from the photographs these were very well received, Mr Thompson looking particularly dapper in his.
Firstly apologies for not keeping the diary up to date. Our schedule has been very hectic and no time to catch up with diary writing. So here goes with the remainder of our diary for Wednesday.
Off for lunch in a very nice restaurant with Mr Ge Joing and the staff from Luwan Special School..
Bethany demonstrates how to eat with chopsticks
A walk in the Luwan District followed our cultural experience in the park..
'The Team' in action
More physical activity?
A walk around the Luwan District from our Hotel took us into nearby Fuxing Park. Here we were able to join in with communal singing, ballroom dancing and tai chi. Most of chose to observe the local people in action.
On Monday 1st October, 2007 six pupils set out on the trip of a lifetime. They are travelling to Shanghai for a twelve day visit to the Luwan Special School and to the Special Olympic games. They left Newcastle Airport at lunchtime on route to Shanghai via Dubai. They were all in good spirits looking forward to the flights. Watch this space for updates
Powerpoint presentation from our visit to Whitehouse Farm
We had a great day at Portland School
The weather was warm and sunny and everyone
enjoyed themselves some even managed to win trophies.