Ecosystem photos

Even more photos from ecosystems

Photos from ecosystems day - part two

Photos from ecosystems day - part one

Ecosystems - Mont Lozere

Today it happened!
It was cold!!, Mont Lozere had low cloud, strong winds and low temperatures.
But, our intrepid Geographers braved the elements to study the peat bog and heather moorland of Mont Lozere.
There was a great deal of measuring and recording weather, soils and vegetation cover.

Ahhhh urbanisation!

Miss Habib's favourite day, settlement in rural France. After our really hard second day of river catchment studies and at least ten girls complaining that their bottoms hurt from the walking, we had a one hour drive down to the settlement of Mende. The settlement has 13,000 residents, on par with Leigh on Sea but not as much nightlife! We travelled up to a viewpoint in order for students to sketch the site and situation of the settlement. We stopped off for a picnic lunch and more photo opportunities for Miss Habib to take photos of the group. During the visit to Mende students were able to purchase presents for their parents...if they could find a shop open! We then travelled to various villages such as Saint Julien Du Tournel; this village used to have over 1000 residents but now there are only 89. We looked at the church and the homes and pupils were surprised by the decline of this agricultural village. The weather was amazing today. Lots of students will be coming home with a slight golden hue but we promise you they have been working very hard!

Even more photos from Tuesday

More photos from day 2

Photos from day 2

Rivers

Day 2
Rivers today!
Six sites between the two groups. Mr G's group had to hike up the mountain to 1400 metres to survey site 1. It was worth it! The site is in a beautiful valley, small waterfalls and wonderful pools.
Then both groups made their way down the valley towards Le Pont de Montvert.
The day started clear, with a wonderful sunrise over the mountain. The day got hotter, reaching at least 25 degrees.

All the groups are working well. They worked until 9.45 on Monday night. Another late one this evening!

Photos from day one

Photos from today

Scary cows!

The weather has been hot, hot, hot! No need for thermals today. After a hearty breakfast of eggy bread, cereals, fruit and yogurts we set off for day one of the river study. We are in two teaching groups and so went to two sites in the upper course of the Souteryan. All students completed a pilot study to test out equipment such as a clinometer, flow meter as well as looking at how salt solutions could test velocity. Miss Habib's class had some scary visitors, cows! Sam, our field study leader scared them off so we could continue. We walked back to the centre and had carb overload of french baguettes for lunch and then walked off our lunch with a two mile hike uphill! The girls will be coming back with thighs of steel. We went to the summit and mapped land use using French maps and the stunning views. After walking back down the road we then wearily climbed in to the coach to head to Pont de Mont Vert (bridge of the green mountain)in order for the lower sixth to examine the risk of flooding to the settlement. Our three course evening meal of soup, lasagne and raspberry tart is laying on the stomach as we construct cross sections of the river and collate our data from the pilot study. All the girls seem to be coping without their social networking and are enjoying themselves.

Cevennes 2011

Well after a long journey we have arrived in the Cevennes.
Weather much as we left Westcliff - rain!
We have been out walking already.

All are well, after an amazing first evening meal.

Monday - Breakfast at eight! - Classroom at 8.45 and 6 hours out in the field.

Will update Monday.

Mr G