Day Two – Day of fun, flips, food and farts
Day Two started in the tradition manner of a football match at 4:30am which Mr Evans did not endorse at any stage of the planning process. Once Messi et al had been stewarded back into their tents, and the adult could grab 10 minutes more sleep before the sheep started their morning harmonies, the rest of the class rose in the glorious sunshine. Boy was it a warm start to the day!
Breakfast resembled an episode from Clarkson’s farm in the pig domes and not because some of the participants looked cute! Mia seemed to challenge herself on the volume of Rice Crispies she could get into her bowl before milk was added which all led to a Krypton Factor style walk back to her table. Frosties were rifled through like the children had never seem before and Mr Evans conquered the hotel style toaster, so the children were able to eat something other than warm bread. Mrs Monk… the coffees were a hit at this point of the morning so thanks (fyi Mrs Foster, the sausage rolls hardly made it onto the M1 yesterday).
Today, all the children split into their three groups, and all did a different activity. Group 1 (Mr Evans’) went off to Porth Yr Ogof for caving (Microsoft Word really having an issue with that spelling); Group 2 (Mr Minney’s) went to Blaen Y Glyn for Gorge Walking and Group 3 (Miss Minney’s) stayed on site for Stand-up Paddleboarding, High Ropes, crate stacking and Zip Line.
There were a few highlights which I will note below but safe to say the buzz about the campsite once all groups were back together indicated everyone had had a great day and challenged themselves at some point.
Caving was exceptional and the highlight of why Longtown is chosen. It is an incredible opportunity for the children to experience real caving – something that was noted by two other people enjoying the caves about what an experience these children get. Highlights included James attempting to join a different school in the cave opening (nothing personal I hope) and all children going through the letterbox and washing machine challenges.
Miss Minney’s group had a day of two halves with Paddleboarding in the morning and several activities on the High Ropes area in the afternoon. Shout out to Finley and Gwen for reaching 17 creates on the crate stacking game before they fell off. Miss Minney is debating her life choices after assisting a child down from the zip line who then thanked her by farting in her face on the way down.
Finally, Mr Minney’s group jumped into the wet suits – just and elegantly – and left in a minibus for some gorge walking action. The day consisted of plunging into pools, crawling behind impressive waterfalls and sliding down naturally forming river slides. There was a worry about a lost bag when we got back to the centre but luckily it was found… on Harry T’s back.
Housekeeping of Albert, Seb C, Finley and Luke did an amazing job of setting up, serving and cleaning away our curry dinner with peaches and cream for dessert.
I am sat writing this while the children attempt an orienteering task around the whole site; this is throwing up some interesting skills I may have to address upon return:
- I have been asked where the river is in real life which may not seem like an unreasonable question except, I am sat on the riverbank!
- The mixed groupings of 4 seem to have splintered into ‘No way am I walking that hill again’ children and ‘let’s see how fast we can run down that hill’ type of children.
No doubt it will be hot chocolate, PJs and getting tucked into bed soon. That’s just Miss Minney; I have no idea on the children’s plans other than another “All-nighter but don’t tell Mr Evans”.
