16:16 Isle of Wight 2023 returns.
15:35 Making good time and didn’t stay too long at Winchester services. Looking more likely to be back at school between 4.15 and 4.20.
14:50 Leaving Winchester services. Cutting across to the M4 so looking at arriving at 4:30.
13:43 And we’re back on the mainland.
11:43 We are on our way.
11:00 We have survived the last couple of activities, avoiding the rain and the mud. Couple of last-minute changes of clothing and then we will be getting onto the coach In 1/2 an hour.
07:00 Packing before breakfast and final activities. We are already anticipating a change to arrival time at school. Looking like between 4.30 and 5.30 outside the front of school. More details later.
22:00 All asleep. Good night and see you tomorrow.
21:30 Lights out.
21:04 The disco was a wonderful spectacle. Fabulous outfits and wonderful dancing. Great fun.
18:39 Packing in required clothes, leaving out three piles of clothes; pyjamas, tomorrow’s clothes and disco clothes. All the rest of it is being packed. Apologies in advance for wet clothes and footwear thrown together in suitcases, but we need to get out of our accommodation first thing in the morning before activities.
16:28 Currently, on our last activity rotation before tea and attention has now turned to focus on the disco. In the meantime, it’s worth mentioning that the children have been brilliant all week and a real credit to families and the school. It’s been a real pleasure and privilege to have been with this group of children. Thanks and appreciation also needs to go to a great group of staff who have helped the trip run smoothly. Oh, and it’s started raining again.
13:30 Lunch update. An interesting smorgasbord of an extra large sausage in a bun, cheese and potato pasty, chips and beans with couscous making an appearance on the salad bar. However, they are persisting with including beetroot on the same bar which hasn’t been chosen much all week. We’re inside the sports hall in between showers before afternoon activities.
11:15 The excitement is mounting as the whole group are doing quick zip together! Harnesses are on and we are walking down to the arena. We can be see four lanes of zip wires.
09:30 First activity, including 3G swing, archery and problem-solving after a breakfast consisting of the same components as the other two days, but is going down with everyone providing us energy for the day ahead. Sun trying to come through.
07:00 And we’re off again on day 4 of the adventure getting ready to add to room points with an inspection in 25 minutes followed by a hearty breakfast ready for the highlight of the day - press publish without reading it, and the highlight of the day - Quick Zip.
22:00 All asleep. Good night.
21:30 Lights out on another busy day.
20:00 Movie Night - Stormbreaker. Some of Britain’s finest actors bring this book to life. Oh, plus the sweets aren’t too bad either.
18:00 The weather couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm for leap of faith. Robertswood did us proud in terms of their support for each other, the challenges pursued and targets met. A soggy afternoon was topped off with chicken dippers, potatoes, items from the salad bar and ice cream.
13:40 The lunch of lunches has been a had - burger and chips and onion rings and people are up to 3 items from the salad bar. Much needed after the rains of this morning, which seem to have disappeared just in time for some groups to be outside this afternoon not that some of us are upset at being outside this morning.
12:20 Well those activities were a bit grim with the rain that didn’t ‘pass through’ and continued to get steadily heavier with an easterly breeze brushing over hands. We’re back in dorms getting changed into dry clothes ready for lunch. Back in the dry, we are reflecting on a thoroughly successful morning of success on climbing walls, on trampolines and in the mud (Nightline). Hope all is well with you.
08:30 And we‘re into the first activities. A round with aeroball, buggy building and climbing. It’s cold, but children have headed the warnings and are layered up to the point where it’s difficult to manoeuvre But at least we are warm -ish. Meanwhile, here aeroball is inside, so they’re having to take layers off which is an effort in itself.
08:30 Breakfast - full English, plus yogurt, cereal, pre-cooked toast which turns out as floppy, heated bread - no great for spreading the marmalade. Thoughts are already turning to lunch which will be revealed later.
7:00 Day 3 in the Isle of Wight house (Kilgerran). We are bit weary this morning and have had to wake some children up after another good night of sleeping. But, once awake, we have still got the energy and enthusiasm for the day ahead which includes the prospect of climbing and leap of faith. Light rain passing through.
22:00 All asleep. Good night.
21:20 Lights are out and quietness descends on a busy day. Nearly 10 miles walked so we should all sleep well tonight.
20:30 Great excitement during our evening activity - a record number of layers has been achieved for the week so far of 7. Campfire saw singing, riddles and marshmallows. Currently showering after the smoke of the fire to be fresh for the morning.
18:30 The return of sausages to the menu after the first appearance this morning for breakfast, this time, accompanied by mashed potatoes or baked potatoes, plus lashings of other items from the salad bar - too many to mention here.
17:25 Sorry for the radio silence we’ve been on the beach catching crabs and even a sea scorpion (originally identified as a lionfish) all good fun on the receding tide, revealing a number of potential hiding places for sea life. Quite a lot of wet wellington boots, walking boots and trainers. Still weather is dry so they should dry out back at the accommodation. Quick change before tea and a campfire.
13:30 Lunch was very nice consisting of barbecue chicken and rice or barbecue chicken and tacos or barbecue chicken and wrap. Or from the salad bar, tuna and sweetcorn or tomatoes or cucumber or cheese or all of it together in one wrap - how about that? Off to the beach now In double, double layers.
11:00 We’re back down hill after taking in the Culver Battery on the way down. Some great photos of landslides and France and the Eiffel Tower (Portsmouth) but the Geography lesson at the top of the hill rectified the situation. Into the final activity of the morning before lunch.
08:30 Breakfast fit for Kings and Queens - a plethora of bacon, hashbrowns, scrambled egg, beans, sausages and toast, and you could go and get cereal and fruit and yoghurt as well. Ready for a brisk walk up the mountain (Hill) to the Yarborough monument.
07:30 Room inspections. Oh dear some people are not even dressed.
06:45 Starting to stir. A few rooms awake after an impressive first night of sleeping.
22:30 All asleep now. Good night.
21:30 Lights out.
21:00 Getting ready for bed after a long day. Lights out in half an hour as we are tired and a busy day of walking lays ahead tomorrow. Bit of quiet time - reading and card games before lights are out.
20:00 Into the final activity of the day mini olympics. A variety of non-olympic activities - still fun is being had and decibel levels have exceeded 90dbs.
18:30 Finished tea; selection of pasta - lasagne, macaroni and cheese and tomato pasta, along with garlic bread and ice cream. In answer to a question about whether the Isle of Wight is going to be better than Ufton, several children have already called it as a resounding yes (based on the first meal).
16:15 We’re into our first activities with two groups doing problem-solving. The other group is doing low ropes.
14:45 Site tour complete. There is only two schools here all week. Breakfast at 8, Lunch at 12:45 and Dinner at 5:45. Busy in rooms making beds - Teamwork at its best.
13:17 We have arrived at Kingswood.
12:44 And we’re on the Isle of Wight.
11:05 We are at the ferry port in Portsmouth. Finishing the film (Monsters Inc) and then boarding at 11:30.
10:00 We are at Winchester services for a toilet stop and a chance to have a couple of biscuits and a drink.
08:41 We have left. 38 children and 5 adults.