Day 1
After a very smooth getaway this morning, the journey continued in exactly the same manner. The traffic was kind to us and in true Dr Radcliffe's style, the children gave the coach driver a round of applause for safely crossing the Severn Bridge, and getting us to Wales. With only a few sounds of "How much longer is the journey?", we finally arrived at Kilvrough Manor, again to another round of applause.
The children were starving so the afternoon began with lunch in the sunshine. Then the fun began with carrying bags to the dormitories and making the beds. I have to say I was very impressed with how well the children helped and supported each other with these activities.
After an introduction from the staff, the children went to their activity groups to send the afternoon on site doing various team building activities. These included 'Marble Run', where you had to get a marble round a floating maze, 'River Crossing' where all the team had to get from A to B, using and moving small planks, 'Tree Climbing' (I think you can probably guess what this involved), 'Drainpipe Challenge' where they dah sections of drainpipe that they had to connect so the ball didn't drop through it and 'Knotted Web'. This activity involved the children having to untangle a circular ropes with lots of knot-handles on it. As mine and Mrs Sellers group did it quite quickly our instructor asked us to re-tangle it to give my group a real challenge. We didn't disappoint! However, through great communication and team work, they eventually successfully untangled it. When asked what they had learnt from that challenge one child replied, "That our teachers are savage at tying knots!" Something to add to the CV.
Every child has just had a hearty meal of fishfingers, baked beans, mashed potato and salad sticks. This was followed by jelly and ice-cream. There were smiles all round. They are about to have their first evening activity of orienteering, which involves running around the site, hopefully tiring themselves out before bed.
Sorry if some of the photos not the best quality but it was quite tricky trying to take them on a moving coach!
Tomorrow, all 4 groups are going off site for more fun and adventures.
Enjoy your evening.
