Loch Insh 2009 Day 1
It is great being back at Loch Insh. I have taken school parties here 5 or 6 times before and it is a great venue for an outdoor activity week!
In a break with tradition Longside were picked up first by the bus and they arrived at Strichen just around8.45am. The pupils from Strichen were waiting eagerly with their parents and I am sure it would have been the same at Longside. The cases were packed on the bus and it set off just after 9am. I however was following by car and did not get left the school until 9.30am by which time the bus had a good head start on me. The bus headed for Banff and then Keith before making its way to Craigellachie and then Aberlour. The pupils got a short break in Aberlour and this gave me a little time to try and catch up. By the time the bus was leaving Aviemore I was just entering Aviemore and I thought that they were going to make it there before me. However, as they took a slightly different route to avoid the narrow bridge that crosses the Spey at the top end of the loch I managed to make it there a few minutes before them.
The cases were soon out of the bus and we were heading into the hall where we are staying. Some of the girls found it a struggle to manoeuvre their cases up the stairs to their room and we helped a few to get them up! Once in our rooms we took our lunch through to our lounge area where we were met by Andy Freshwater and a couple of the instructors. He told the children about what they would be doing through the week and went over the site rules so that everyone knew what was expected. The talk finished with a fire alarm to make sure everyone knew what to do in case of an emergency.
So then we were off for our first activity. We made our way down to the boathouse (down all 69 steps which we need to go up and down about 10 times every day!!) where the groups met their instructors for the first activity.
Mrs Stephen’s group were going mountain biking and we went to get kitted out. We all needed a helmet and a bike that was going to be the correct size for us. After what seemed ages getting everyone’s helmet adjusted so that it was secure we were off. Neil was our leader and he had a new instructor with him so that he could show him the ropes!
We set off and immediately were met by a gentle slope which resulted in half the group getting off their bikes and pushing them! It was going to be a long afternoon!
Once we were out on the road things were better and with a group of 11 children and four adults we could spread out a little according to the speed of the cyclists. Soon we were off road and this is where the fun for the children really started. They could ride freely and push themselves or they could get off and push the bike depending on the incline!
However, everyone had a great session and Neil continually pushed and encouraged them to ride at their limits. They went up and down hills, through streams, mud and had great fun. On their return they were a little taken aback about having to clean the bikes before they were returned to the store for the next group to use!
The other groups had great fun also. Miss Ingram’s group were kayaking and Miss Ingram said she really enjoyed it once she was out on the water. Mrs Mitchell’s group were sailing and the group was split into two so that they could go out on the bigger boats as the conditions were quite difficult for them to be in smaller boats by themselves.
After a short break we were back down to the boathouse for tea! The children were excited and tired! Tea was excellent and they had the choice of two different soups followed by either lasagne, macaroni cheese or baked tatties! This was followed by apple crumble and custard!
Our tea took longer than expected and we were no sooner up the hill again before we had to go back down for our evening activity! The activity was ‘Way finding’ and involved the pupils, and the three female teachers, orienteering (or sauntering) round the centre looking for the different markers to stamp their card. The pupils did well and some of them managed to find all the markers….. but they were a little disappointed to be beaten by Mrs Mitchell, Miss Ingram and Mrs Stephen! Well done to them!
After this it was back to the hall for juice, a biscuit and their diaries! (At last we had the chance for a cup of coffee and a seat!) Then they were dispatched to unpack and tidy their rooms before lights out at 10pm. I was soon to find out that the problem solving for the day was not over as one boy was sick….. but in their sink and not the toilet! When he told us that he could see his tea again my heart sank …. And off I went to find something to unblock the sink. Where is Mrs Mitchell when you need her!
Anyway, all is quiet now and I am almost ready for lights out myself but am looking forward to day 2!
podcast not working :-(
Posted by: Rachel caldwell | 03/31/2009 at 04:10 PM