Wow – what a scortcher!
Following Oswestry School’s Bronze DofE training weekend a fortnight ago, this weekend was an opportunity for the candidates to put everything together during the course of a 2 day practice expedition. Due to the fact that many of the pupils are due to have a GCSE exam at the start of the week, the decision was made to hold the expedition on Friday afternoon and Saturday, to give them the opportunity to recover before heading in to the exam room.
We left the school mid afternoon in glorious sunshine but, by the time we arrived at the drop off point, the sun had been replaced by clouds and rain resulting in a number of worried expressions from the groups. Thankfully, it didn’t come to much, but it was a good lesson in how variable UK weather can be – particularly in the hills.
With the occasional check point along the way, the 4 walking groups made their way unaccompanied over or around Llantysilio Mountain to the north-west of Llangollen. In the most part, the candidates had selected their own groups, and it was good to see them working together whilst enjoying each other’s company.
All groups had arrived at Carrog Station campsite by about 8.30pm, and got stuck in to putting tents up and getting dinner on the go. It was encouraging to see some changes to food choices, compared to a fortnight ago, as many of the candidates had clearly thought about some of the lessons that could be learnt from their training weekend. Unfortunately, one of the groups discovered a slight problem with one of their tents when they went to put it up – most the the pole elastic had perished, meaning that the poles wouldn’t stay together. After considering their options whilst cooking dinner, they really pulled together to show fantastic co-operation and patience which enabled them to succeed. A hard job well done!
Saturday saw the groups heading off on their own again, to meet up with the instructors at a pre-arranged point, which they all managed to do without hic-cup. The next couple of hours was spent giving some additional skills instruction, looking at use of the compass, starting to interpret contour lines and emergency procedures before sending them off unaccompanied again to meet the transport back.
Saturday was the hottest day of the year so far, and it had the effect of slowing the groups’ progress as they struggled with carrying expedition ruck-sacks in the draining heat. Consequently, a trip into Llangollen seemed appropriate to give everyone the opportunity to buy drinks, whilst they waited for the remaining groups to finish their day’s walking. With the delay to timings, we were late arriving back at Oswestry School – frustrating for those with other plans but, once again, a good illustration of how you need to be flexible when venturing into the outdoors.
All the candidates looked very tired by the end of the day, but nothing a few extra liters of water and a couple of good night’s sleep won’t sort out! After a successful weekend’s practice, the vast majority now need to start planning for their assessed venture next month. Having been involved in their training, I won’t be able to join them on their assessment, but hope they all enjoy the experience to the full.
