After leaving very promptly from school, we made excellent time with minimal, “Are we nearly there yet?” while still in Northamptonshire. We arrived at the service station where I can only imagine we have boosted the share prices of McDonald’s and Spar.
I hope you have all got to read the wonderful feedback from a member of the public about the children’s behaviour – they were amazing! Well… 16 chicken nuggets does tend to keep a child quiet.
We arrived at the centre after some near misses on the local roads from people mistaking the rural roads for Silverstone. We emptied the bus (read as Mr Evans, Miss Sartain and the bus driver emptied the bus) and had the safety tour from Dave. The children choose their tents and, from the looks of the tents 10 minutes later, opened their suitcases and just poured their clothing out.
Our activity for the afternoon was team challenges – operative word being challenge! We had to crawl through tunnels as a team, guide each other through the nightline course, support one another over the wall and work as a team to guide a hook on several strings to pick up some blocks on The Crane.
After a lovely helping of bangers and mash and veg (yes… they ate veg) and a wonderful apple crumble (nod to Noah here for his 4 helpings of custard and Taya for eating the second tray of apple crumble almost as a solo mission), we headed to the castle. Dave, our lead instructor, took us on a historical tour of the village which ended at the castle where the children got to use 90% of their disposable photos. The village once had four pubs and after the first night of ‘sleeping’, I wish they were all still open!
We then had an hour’s downtime before retiring to the tents, lights out and a good night’s sleep.
If you believe that, more fool you! The quietened tents happened around midnight when the adults were able to crash into their tents.
This morning, children are showering – some not remembering to take a towel – and we heading off for breakfast before a day caving at Porth Yr Ogof!
Speak soon,
A tired set of teachers.
