Today was our last full day at Loch Insh and as with the other days it has been very busy but very quick! We are now well into our morning routine of getting up. Getting ready for the day, getting our juice bottles filled and then making our way down to the boathouse for our breakfast and to make our lunch.
It was a lovely morning at 7.00am but by the time we were ready to go down for breakfast at 8.30am it was grey and overcast once more! However, the children tucked into another large breakfast and it was encouraging to see so many of them eating up a good breakfast for their activities ahead.
Miss McFarlane’s and Miss Ingram’s group were heading out on the mountain bikes. Mr Jenkins went with Miss Ingram’s group as she said she would stay with Megan at the boathouse. We were kitted out with high visibility vests, helmets and of course a mountain bike. The groups spent a while cycling round the area next to the bike sheds to get used to their bike, find out how the gears work and to test the brakes before setting out on the planned route.
Both groups headed off in different directions and some found the first hill quite difficult but they persevered and were soon cycling along on the roads and off road through the woods. The terrain changed all the time and the children had to be on the lookout for stones, tree roots and other obstacles that could be problematic! In fact one or two in Miss McFarlane’s group had a little dip in one of the lochans when they misjudged some of the obstacles and decided to go for a swim!
However, both groups enjoyed the activity but were perhaps not so keen on cleaning the bikes on their return so that they would be ready for the next group to use them.
Mrs Stephen’s group were problem solving and spent the morning on the beach and in the woods taking part in a range of activities and problems. They had to think, work as a team or race against other teams but they all took part keenly.
Lunch was taken back in the chalets or rooms and the for the afternoon all three groups were kayaking! It took a little while to get them all kitted out with jackets, paddles and eventually a kayak which meant they could get out on the water and have some fun.
Each instructor told them how to use the paddles, how to move through the water in different ways and they played some games to get them warmed up. One by one each group made it out onto the water and they spent the first while in the sheltered area getting used to the sensation of being on a kayak and experimenting with different strokes and how to control the kayak.
When each group leader felt everyone was confident they headed out onto the loch and within minutes they were mere dots on the horizon as they made their way upstream.
Mrs Stephen’s group crossed over the loch from one side to the other and then back to the boathouse. The other two groups made it up and back the loch and only one or two fell in to the water!
They all had a great time but were happy to get back to the chalets to get showers and dry clothes back on.
Those who had not been to the shop got the chance to spend their pocket money and buy some gifts to take home!
The BBQ was moved inside due to the weather but everyone tucked into chicken drumsticks, sausages and salad, baked potatoes and then had an ice lolly to finish it off.
That led us to the most complicated activity – well, for the girls anyway! They had to get ready for the disco! The disco was from 8 – 10 and they sang and danced before receiving certificates from the instructors and seeing a video of them carrying out some of their activities over the week. It was very noisy but everyone seemed to enjoy it and some of them even spoke to the pupils from the other school!
We are now more or less packed for tomorrow and we need to be out of the rooms before we head off for our last activities. Two groups are going for a walk and one group will be mountain biking so at least no groups have a wet activity to finish with - unless it rains of course!
Anyway, we are looking forward to tomorrow’s last activity but also to coming home in the afternoon.
We hope that everyone has enjoyed their experience and that they will look back on it with good memories in the years to come.
Great to be able to see what the kids have achieved through your well written blog and pictures.Many thanks from greatfull Grandparents.
Posted by: Granny | 04/25/2010 at 02:05 PM