STRIDERS BIG ADVENTURE DIARY

Striders Diary - Fri 13 October 2006

Striders Big Adventure

Strider visits a school in Exeter, then learns about Sir Francis Drake in Brixham.
Hello Everyone!

Whipton Barton Infant and Nursery School

My journey today took me to Whipton Barton Infant and Nursery School in Exeter. I arrived early in the morning, so decided to wait at the gate and greet the children as they arrived. See photo below

I then wandered around the school visiting each classroom, talking about walking to school.

At breaktime I went out to play. It was great fun on the climbing frame, and I was very impressed at how good my new friends were with hoola hoops. I had a go, but I couldn't get it to spin properly.

I finished the school day in assembly. The whole school was there and the teacher told them all about my adventures so far - showing everyone all the places I had visited on a big map. I was then asked to give special badges to the children who had walked to school most often.

The Golden Hind, Brixham

I then went to Brixham, to visit the replica of the Golden Hind. See photos below. This is a copy of the boat sailed around the world by Sir Francis Drake, who was born in Devon. In 1577 (almost 430 years ago) he was employed by Queen Elizabeth 1st to sail around the world, attacking Spanish ships and settlements to capture their treasure.

It is amazing how small the boat is. Although it was only about 21 metres long, the original sailed over 36,000 miles around the world (it took three years), single handedly fighting Spanish ships and coming back with treasure worth £600,000 (£25 million nowadays!). When he got back to England he sailed to London and gave the Queen much of the fortune he had captured. They then had dinner together on the boat, and the Queen knighted him (so he was then called "Sir").

As well as capturing lots of Spanish treasure, Sir Francis Drake is also famous for defeating an invading fleet of Spanish ships (called the Armada). It is said he was playing bowls in Plymouth when he heard about the invasion fleet on the way. He insisted on finishing his game before getting into his ship to fight back!

I can't continue my journey without your help - so keep walking!

On Friday, 673 Walks to School were recorded on my website. Thanks to everyone who has already logged their journeys, but please keep adding your journeys. Find out how to record your journeys to school, and keep me on my Big Adventure. Keep walking!