Derring Do In The Lake District

writes Leo M (3rds)

This past week, a gaggle of bleary eyed, and rather overly enthusiastic Third Formers departed the school at the ungodly hour of 6.30am to embark upon the highly anticipated (and nerve inducing) trip to the Lake District!

On the immense journey to our destination (in a coach with USB plug sockets which looked like it had come from a galaxy far, far away from our usual Best Way coaches) there was never a dull moment; the bus was alive with songs and excited chatter. After some hours, the long-awaited moment arrived … no, not the service station! It was the sprawling immensity of the Lake District’s vast mountains, countryside and the quaint little town of Keswick. Without a moment of respite, we got straight into our afternoon activity, which for me was gorge scrambling.

This was incredible, as it helped me appreciate the Tolkienesque scenery and gave me sense of true adventure while I was clambering and hurling myself off rocks in a freezing mountain stream. After, we quickly scampered to the mini bus with its glorious heating and revelled in the fact that we had completed our first activity! 

In the days to come we would try our hand at hill walking in breath-taking views; team building; Mr Fothergill’s nighttime walk (which taught us how our eyes take in light); Dr Hesketh’s quiz (which puzzled students and teachers alike), and abseiling, which put me way out of my comfort zone. Who knew that leaning backwards off a sixty-foot sheer cliff of slate could do that?

All in all, every boy was challenged in some way, shape, or form, and had fun in industrial quantities. No one involved will ever forget the memories and friends they made and the challenges they faced on this once in a lifetime trip.