Benmore- Day 3 news…
It’s been a very busy day for both groups! This morning, there didn’t seem to be quite the same amount of noise first thing- I am detecting signs of definite tiredness! Yesterday morning, all the boys were awake and keen to get up at 6.25am, but this morning, all were fast asleep until nearly 7.30am! It was the same over in the girls’ dorms, with most a little more sluggish than yesterday.
We had a good breakfast of cereal, sausages and beans, with toast and fruit juice before getting ready for today’s activities. Miss Stuart’s group headed off to the gorge while Mr Purves’ group got kitted out with mountain bikes for their morning. The weather wasn’t so good today- typically west coast in fact- with low clouds and mist, and intermittent drizzle. However, it didn’t make any difference to the children, who were keenly looking forward to their activities.
The gorge-walking group took the bus for 10 minutes till they reached the gorge. There, they started climbing up the river, trying not to get wet. This involved trying to stay on the sides of the river, looking for footing. First to get soaked was Jack D, but everyone else soon got wet too, apart from Olivia who found a great walking stick to help her! If you fell off one of the logs, you had to swim under it, or fill your helmet full of water, and put it back on your head. Near the top, there was a part called the “key hole” which you had to climb through. An additional challenge was the fact that the waterfall was actually flowing through the key hole, so getting wet was unavoidable! At the top, the group found another route back down to the mini bus. It was a great morning, and we even learned something about the local graveyard!
We all came back to the centre for lunch, which was hot soup followed by various filled rolls, fruit and a sweet snack.
Then, it was the ropes for Miss Stuart’s group and the rock climbing and abseiling for Mr Purves’ ten.
For the rock climbing, we had to get helmets and harnesses with special clips called Carabinas, or Crab clips We travelled along to the big rock face by mini-bus and when we arrived there were a few comments such as “No way am I climbing that!” and “You must be joking!”
However, about 45 minutes later, we were all up at the top. Corrie had announced just before she set off “I’m terrified!” and now she was also at the top, looking down over the sheer face that we were all to abseil down… All I’ll say is that were a few tears from some before they set off, but everyone in the group managed it- and all were extremely proud of their efforts afterwards. Well done my group!! We then came back towards the centre, where we climbed on the indoor rock face - which by now seemed quite easy. We think that David might well have a future career as a stunt man, so spectacular was his abseiling!
Meanwhile Miss Stuart’s group thought the ropes were ace. To begin with, the group practiced on the smaller course, before going on to the main ropes in pairs. When climbing the structure, one person stayed at the bottom, holding the safety rope tight, while the other in the pair climbed towards the top of the 50 ft high structure. After reaching the top, there were various forms of acrobatics performed on the way down, and we have photos to prove it!
With our technology working a bit better today, we hope to have photos loaded on this evening.
(Today’s report was written with help from Connor, Olivia, Corrie and David)
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Hi Sam,hope your camera has arrived.We all hope you are enjoying yourselfs.It sounds like you are having a ball.Great blog Mr P,we love it!!!
Love Mum,Dad,Holly and Harry xxxx
Hey?
What’s all this about camp being better than maths? Well, actually, I think I’d rather be at camp too! You seem to spend most of your time getting wet and the rest of it getting soaked. Sorry to hear about the midges. Don’t worry - only the female ones bite (honest!) so 50% of them will do you no harm - just check to see if it’s a boy or girl before attempting to swat one. I’m glad to hear that your teachers are joining in. My record last year was travelling for 3 metres along pebbles on my bottom at 20 mph - but that wasn’t planned. Beat that Mr Purves! Keep having fun - and well done to all the brave folk who did abseiling. And to those of you in my maths group, don’t panic cos you’ll still be back for Doctor Who on Saturday.
Mr Devereux
HI DANNE, LOOKS LIKE YOU’VE ALL HAD GREAT FUN, SEAN IS REALLY BORED AND MISSING YOU!!THAT WILL BE A FIRST, ANYWAY HOUSE VERY QUIET WITHOUT YOU, IT MUST BE YOU THAT MAKES ALL THE NOISE!!! MISSING YOU LOADS AND LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AND HEARING ALL ABOUT YOUR ADVENTURE ON FRIDAY.
TAKE CARE
LOVE YOU LOADS
MUM,DAD AND SEANIE XX
OH AND STORMER, SASHA AND STOOKIE XXX
Hi Ailish,
Did you scream today? guess your not afraid of heights anymore then well done. Hope you got drenched,I hope you don’t come back with any broken bits sounds dangerous but fun.
Ernie said hockey was quiet today without the Yester p7’s but sadly you will all be back next week to annoy him ha ha
I made a chocolate cake yesterday, mum says its the best one she ever tasted which means it’s even better than yours and there might not be any left by Friday! I’m annoyed because I can’t beat you up and you can’t beat me up which I suppose is good because I can’t get anymore bruises.
I really miss you honestly I really do…… not
Mum says she is recording the apprentice so don’t worry.
love
Rosi
well lucy all my washing is up to date to make room for your stuff when you get back on friday! hehe!!
sounds great what you have been doing can,t wait to see you.
i take it a long lie is on order for sat then???
blog is great mr purves!!
Gorebridge primary are at dounans and are jealous that they dont have a blog set up!! anyway look forward to reading more on the blog take care xxxxxxxxxxxx
Hi Jack
What a cool time you seem to be having, and once again you were the first one to get wet!!!
Hope that midge repellant is working. They sound VICIOUS but one good thing about the rain is that it keeps them at bay.
We soooooooooo look forward to catching up on your blog every day - it is really great and TOP MARKS to Mr Purves fo his efforts. It makes us feel like we are joining in and we can’t wait to see the photos later.
We really miss you but glad you are experiencing what it will be like when we join you up at BOOT CAMP for the summer. Bet the food there won’t be so good!!
Lots of love
Mum, Will and Harry xxxxxxxxx
Hello Robin
its Perry again.Gorgeworking sounded ace and absailing wow!Today I REALLY was missing you.
Sneaky is too!She left a mouse on the floor of your room as a coming home pressie.
I made you a song on garage band and you’ll enjoy the last six pictures on photo booth funny!TEE HEE!Guess what I’M seeing on Friday?PIRATES OF THE CARRIBEAN AT WORLDS END WITH ROWAN!WOOHOO!But we all get to see it at the weekend HUMPH!
BYE BYE!
love Pezzy
Hi everyone!
It sounds like you’re all having a fantastic time! I’m glad to hear you are not getting up so early and letting Miss Stuart have a bit more sleep!
The rock climbing sounds terrifying! You are all very brave!I hope someone got a photo of Mr Purves being dunked in the lock when you were kayaking, I think that would be a good addition to the blog.
The school is very quiet without you! Enjoy the rest of the week
From
Miss McNair xx
p.s. What’s wrong with maths?!? I LOVE maths!
ooops, I meant loch…
Sounds like you are all having a great time!
Not that I want to cause any trouble or anything, but I seem to recall that it’s a tradition at school camp for the kids to arrange a surprise “treat” for the teachers on the last day to say thankyou. Now, I know what kind and caring children you are, and I’m sure you’ll want to think of something that they’ll never forget. When I was at school camp, my children were extremely kind - they gave me choice. I could either sing a love song to all the instructors or eat a worm and grass sandwich which they’d lovingly prepared(with mayonnaise!)
Just a suggestion.
Miss Macaulay xxx
PS.You might be having lots of fun Mr Purves and Miss Stewart, but Mrs McWilliams has been baking all week for the nursery enterprise sale. The staffroom has been quite popular at the end of the day. I would have saved you both a piece of cake, but SOMEONE ate more than his share.(Mr Darling.)
Ha! I must have anticipated it Miss Macaulay, as I sang “Paradise by the Dashboard Light” (Meatloaf) as a duet with our group’s instructor, Angela this evening at an impromptu karaoke contest! Mr P
Once again I have had great fun reading your adventures from yesterday!Well done for being so brave and climbing the ropes and abseiling. I only got up to the first level on the ropes and had to come down- how embarassing!!
I cannot believe how quickly the week has gone- you’ll be back tomorrow.Looking forward to hearing all the stories about Mr Purves and Miss Stuart, and seeing the photographs.
Enjoy your last day and make sure the teachers don’t embarass you tonight at the disco.(Mr Purves thinks he is a smooth groover!!)
See you all tomorrow.
Safe journey.
Love Mrs Hilsley
xx
Hi guys,
Kim here, David, Connor and Sian’s sister.
So glad you have had a good week, sounds like you all have been very brave doing everything. Looking forward to having you troops back as I have missed you… Nobody getting me up in the morning. Have a safe journey. Mum’s looking forward to all the washing!
See you soon,
Love Kim xxx
hi its cool im going with the school on monday