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Teens stranded in Iceland return
When 48 Berkhamsted students travelled to Iceland to study volcanoes they did not bank on one erupting in front of their very eyes.
After almost four days stranded in Iceland because of plumes of ash grounding UK and European flights, a group Berkhamsted School A-level students finally boarded a plane to Scotland yesterday afternoon and were expected to get an over night coach back to Berkhamsted.
Although the students were able to catch a plane, UK flights were expected to remain restricted until at least the early hours of today.
The Icelandic volcano, Eyafjallajoekull, erupted on March 29 and the teenagers, who were on a geography field trip, had front row seats to all the action as they were based just 30km from the site.
Speaking to The Gazette from Iceland yesterday Matt Edmondson-Jones, aged 17, said: "To see nature and its power was amazing- it was awe inspiring.
"Everyone has been really patient although some people who have a practical drama exams next week were starting to panic and someone had to miss their gran's funeral.
"We were very surprised when we saw the news and how dramatic it all was and the impact it was having on the world."
Matt added that he and his friends are now hoping volcano questions crop up in their A-level geography exams.
Ironically, while air spaces across the globe came to a halt, the students were able to go up in a light aircraft and see the volcano erupting.
Every two years the geography department takes students to Iceland on a visit dubbed the Awe and Wonder trip.
Jeremy Walker, the head of sixth form, said: "Our sixth form geographers have had an unforgettable learning experience in being able to witness at first hand the impact of a volcanic eruption.
"They may have been stranded since Saturday but they've made the very best of the situation, even visiting the local library where they could access the internet to download past exam papers to work on in preparation for their forthcoming exams."
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Weather for Hemel Hempstead
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -1 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: -1 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: West
