Prep VI spirit not dampened by downpours…

Last night’s fear that any late night chatterboxes would miss out on today’s on site shop visit ensured that all dormitories were silent at a respectable hour and, unsurprisingly after yesterday’s busy day, all the children had to be woken up for breakfast this morning. After a varied and hearty meal – the catering staff here seem to make it their personal mission to make everyone eat as much as possible – it was off to get ready for the morning’s activities. Yes, the rain was pouring, but that didn’t deter anyone.

One group kitted up with helmets and harnesses, and made their way to the Via Ferrata, the centre’s own protected climbing route in an old disused quarry, the original stone of which was taken and used to make the adjacent stately home. Despite the trepidation of some, everyone made it along the challenging route of the old quarry wall. Most pleasing to see was the teamwork exhibited by the children – while one of each pair was on the wall, their partner issued instructions and encouragement to help them along the route, no little factor in each child’s success. While they were doing their mountain goat impressions, the other group ventured into the woods for the rope course. Again, team work was of the essence as before attempted the low rope course, a series of team challenges were issued for the children to navigate certain obstacles and ensure success for the whole group.

If we were feeling slightly peckish after this – it was a long time since we’d eaten, after all! – a brief return to the centre for another feed preceded our afternoon activities. It was high tide, so both groups ventured out onto the water again in a reversal of the activities they had tried yesterday, paddle boarding and kayaking. Once again, all the children managed to stand and manoeuvre their boards with ease – slightly galling to Messrs. Suter and Connolly was the ease with which the children jumped and moved around on their boards without being tipped. Both gents yesterday when attempting the instructor’s pivot turn – you get as close to the end of the board as possible before turning quickly – were royally dumped into the Menai Straits. Watching the likes of Florence and Reuben running up and down their boards was a sight to behold. The kayakers beached further along the Straits and went fossil hunting, some successfully – expect bags to come home slightly heavily then they were sent off as they are packed with ‘fossil’ rocks from the beach!

Of course it wouldn’t be a normal day here if we didn’t eat again, and so another hearty evening meal and section of desserts. Our Prep IV co-diners have turned into Prep V – their exploits are elsewhere on the blog. With pocket money burning a hole in pockets, we had the opportunity to visit the centre shop, and then it was off to the bothy where Mr. Connolly got a fire going and the children had the opportunity to toast their own marshmallows. Some have watched bits of the England match, some have chilled in their rooms, and we are sure that all will sleep tonight – well, we hope!

And then on to our biggest challenge of the week – packing our bags and clearing our rooms in the morning!