INTERNATIONAL FEAST & GAMES - FRIDAY, 30th MAY 2008

This term’s International Feast was attended by some familiar faces as well as new comers. Some students had an early start by cooking their dishes at BISC. More than 10 International students brought in a variety of mouth watering dishes - French Quiches, Chinese Stir Fry Noodles, Chinese Vegetable Salad, Hungarian Goulash, German Sausage and Sauerkraut with potatoes, Brunei Fried Prawn, Vegetable Soup, Japanese Miso Soup, English Quiche as well as the delightful desserts.

After a delightful meal, we played a couple of games which was led by Kevin. Spontaneously addition of games were made and played. A good time was had by all. Leave us a comment on the website!

River Cruise - June 2008

The evening was welcomed with sun shining while a group of about 70 people arriving at 6.00pm. Our journey began along the Prince Street Bridge where we boarded the boat before heading off towards Bath.

After being seated, the evening started with drinks and nibbles being served accompanied with happy chats / getting to know each other on board. This was followed by a welcome speech by Hannah Hedinger who enlightens us as to how the evening would enfold. We had the privilege to have Transition Band on board the cruise performing some songs and music for our enjoyment.

‘Transition’ Rock Band (www.transition.tk) from UK have been touring the UK extensively as well as playing in Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Singapore and Malaysia. Their music is an audacious blend of passion, energy and finely crafted arrangements. The soaring melodies and rich harmonies are fused with the creative backbone of a surging rhythm section.

Dinner included a variety of delights being served, including rice with sausage, a range of pizzas, pastas, sandwiches, quiches, pizza puffs, salads as well as vegetarian and halal options. Dessert was served shortly after, with an irresistible choice of cheese cake, Black forest gateau, apple lattice, chocolate cake.

Following dessert, we were entertained with more music by the very talented band that included a Chinese song! It was a very pleasant evening enjoyed by everyone with laughter if not smiles. We came back to Bristol at 9.30pm docking by the Watershed where we say goodbye to each other. BISC Leavers’ packs were also being given out as some are sadly leaving Bristol.

Our final event for this term will be the Farewell Garden Party at BISC on Wednesday 18th June.

Knitting Afternoon

Cathy Brodie led more than 10 students knitting on a Wednesday afternoon, after soup lunch. Some students were complete beginners while some had some previous experience in knitting. Colourful wool was knitted into handiwork.
Organised by Christian Union, the afternoon was a pleasant session accompanied with cakes and refreshments. While hands are busy with the knitting needle, friendly chats were exchanged.
At the end of the afternoon, some students were tempted for more. Cathy, from Christ Church Clifton, equipped with 30 years of knitting experience, generously let the students take them home to continue their work.
Due to popular demand, there may be another knitting session held the next term. Please check our website for the updates.

Picnic & cycle ride

So, the hottest day of the year so far, someone wakes up and braves the blistering heat to meet up with a selection of people from around the globe to make a journey. To where? What for? One could say to Bath for some cookies and one would not be wrong but that would kind of miss the point. They go for the journey itself. Riding their bikes with the wind in their hair, under the midday sun, chatting to each other about life and other little things. To some it may seem a pointless venture, but to these, it’s what life is all about.

Lake District Holiday - Spring 2008

Eurovision Song Contest - Saturday 24th May

The Eurovision Song Contest 2008 was the 53rd edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, which was hosted by Serbia. The semi-finals were held on 20th May and 22nd May, and the final was held on 24th May 2008 in the capital, Belgrade. Russia was declared the winner, with Jim Beanz and Dima Bilan's song ‘Believe’ performed by Bilan. The Belgrade Arena, venue for the contest, is among the largest indoor arenas in Europe, with a total capacity of more than 20,000 seats. Serbia gained the right to host the Contest after Marija Šerifović won the 2007 Contest in Helsinki, Finland.

With the BISC lounge decorated with flags the backdrop was set to create the atmosphere for viewing the Eurovision in its entirety, which some 30+ of us enjoyed, or should I say endured?! Pizza, ice-cream and popcorn were served while we enjoyed the live entertainment, some acts more than others. Opinion was divided as to who was the best, but Terry Wogan, the BBC commentator, whilst providing much amusing commentary, was of the opinion that the voting these days has become more about politics that musical talent. You can form your own opinion!

BRUNEL TRAIL - SATURDAY 17th MAY 2008

It was a lovely Saturday morning that a group of more than 10 students gathered at 9.20 a.m. by the Clifton Suspension Bridge. Elvyn our guide shared his extensive knowledge on Brunel with insights on a competition that conceptualised the present day bridge. We were also given a glimpse of Brunel’s life.

It was through two design competitions that were held, and the great bridge designer Thomas Telford was the committee's expert. Brunel presented a total of four designs and won the competition. Unfortunately, he only got so far as to put up the end piers in his lifetime. The Clifton Suspension Bridge was completed in his honour by his engineering friends in 1864.

The walk continued to Clifton Village towards the docks. There are plenty of Brunel features around the docks. Brunel himself had a hand in their construction and there are capstans and swing bridges in the Cumberland Basin that can still be seen today. The Great Western Dockyard is commemorated with a plaque above the entrance to the industrial museum on Spike Island.

Our next stop was one of the best features of the day - the ss Great Britain. The world’s first propeller-driven, ocean going iron ship was salvaged from the icy waters around Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands in an operation made possible by the property tycoon Sir Jack Hayward. Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s ship almost ended her days as a rusting hulk but was rescued from decay by a dedicated team of salvage experts who oversaw the process of preparing the ship and sailing her back across the Atlantic to her homeport of Bristol. The ship came back to Bristol exactly 127 years after her launch (back in 1843) and was returned to the same dock where she started her ocean-going life.

We continued on towards Queens Square where Elvyn shared more interesting facts about Brunel before the walk ended at 3.00pm.