Here's what we've been up to.
Group 1
In the morning we were all very
excited. We had a good breakfast, room inspection and met the instructor. He
told us what we were going to be doing for the day. The activities were going
to be rock climbing, abseiling and skiing. We had to get ready – we needed
waterproofs, helmets, ropes, harness and carabinas. We climbed in Inshriach
Forest. It was exhausting, nerve-wracking but kind of wonderful too. We all did
BRILLIANTLY. We had four goes altogether – 2 abseils, 2 climbs.
Next we had lunch and struggled
to open our cheese and crackers – that was a learning experience we will
remember forever.
After lunch we had to get our
waterproofs back on and get measured for skis and boots. We attempted to get to
the dry ski slopes in our ski boots – it took ages. Then we shuffled up the ski
slope on the side of our skis - and all of us fell over – repeatedly! But then
we all got the hang of it – eventually. Someone EVEN went backwards. Having a
great time so far.
Group 2
It’s been an amazing first day at
Lagganlia. In the morning Group 2 went on the gorge walk which was wet, fun,
scary and FUN! We got to slide down waterfalls, stand under waterfalls and jump
in big pools of water. We were drenched head to toe and out wellies were full
to the brim with water. We were cold and wet when we got out, but we got a hot
shower when we got back to the centre. Some in the group would love to do it
again, while others think once was enough. When we got back to the lodge our
instructor Rafa hosed us down because were so mucky and gave us a Lagganlia
special – a hose down the back of our coats. We ate our large packed lunch in
the centre. There were crisps, rolls, cheese, crackers and fruit.
In the afternoon we went rock
climbing and abseiling. When we first got to the rocks we felt scared and
nervous. We found the climbing less scary than the abseiling. We felt proud and
relieved that we managed. We were very proud that everyone was willing to try
all the activities.
For tea we had pasta bolognaise
or tomato pasta with salad. It was excellent and we ate lots. Pudding was a
rocket lolly.
Kuba – the day has been
fantastic.
Makayla – the day has been very
good.
Elsie Mae – I enjoyed getting
soaked on the gorge walk and the abseiling was quite easy.
Chloe – I hope tomorrow is as
good as today.
Erin – Everybody enjoyed it.
Gemma – I enjoyed sliding in the
gorge and abseiling.
Heddle – An adventure.
Gerry – It was very wet. We were
very proud that everyone was willing to try all the activities.
Group 3
We woke up early and had our
breakfast. After breakfast we had room inspections, then we met our instructor
who told us we were going canoeing. We got our equipment, bouncy aid and paddles. After we got our
equipment we took the minibus and went to Loch Insh. When we got there we got
the canoes into the water. Once we had the boats in the water we had three
tasks to try out : going in a straight line, zig zagging and a 360 degree turn.
The wind made it hard to control the canoe, but we all made it down the River
Spey and back up. We then put the canoes back and returned to camp for lunch.
After free time we met up with
our instructor Stewart. He told us we were going mountain biking. Then we had
to do break tests down a steep hill. We had to limbo under a log. Xander and
Becca tied in first place. Then we went to the Feshie area across different
trails. Some trails were much easier than others. On the hard trails through
the forest a few people fell over. There were big hills and it was hard at
times, but easy going down hill. We had a break at the River Feshie and had
tray-bakes, then we headed back. When we got back we put away our equipment and
washed the bikes then got ready for tea.
Group 4
First full day for group 4 was mountain biking in the
morning and the glorious gorge in the afternoon. We chose words to describe our
day. Please read on.
Some views were spectacular
with loads and loads of trees in a gap made the view appear which made us stop
and look. It was exciting going down
the hills in biking but not up! The gorge was exciting too doing lots of
jumping in, getting wet, sliding down. Cycling was fun, full of challenging hills. The gorge was fun being in the water going down
slopes. Views were fabulous – both
at the gorge and the biking with trees and mountains everywhere. Warm – we made up a joke on the way
back from the freezing gorge in the bus but trying to convince others to
believe for us the gorge was so warm! Interesting
– I didn’t expect cycling to be so good. Cycling was brilliant – not done this before in these conditions with all the
trees around. In free time, after our warm showers, J’s ‘teaching’ was amazing.
The whole day was extraordinary
– views, doing different things some of us have never done before; jumping in freezing
cold water, standing under a waterfall, sliding down smooth rocks into deep
pools of water, never having seen a newt, and a new kind of biking never
experienced before.
Group 5 – Mr Peace’s Group
First, we went on
a Gorge Walk. It was cold and wet but exciting at the same time! When you saw
the slides and waterfalls, it was quite intimidating. When you went down the
slides it gave you an adrenaline rush. When you hit the water, it gave you a
shock! Some of us tried to grasp the rope but some people missed and thought
they were going to drown! When you jumped in the hole your wet suit got
inflated! It was really deep and cold.
After lunch our
group went canoeing. When we got to the shore, the canoes were ready but hard
to push in. At the start, it was hard to get our canoes going but when we got
the hang of it, it was calm and relaxing. We saw an Osprey nest which meant we
had to paddle slowly and smoothly. The canoes glided through the water. Then we
had some cake (tray bake) and we met a spider that we named ‘Bob’! We had an
intense game of battleships on our canoes. Before going back to Lagganlia, we
headed back around the other side of the island. There were people taking
photos. The male Osprey flew over us. It was thrilling. At the end of canoeing,
we had to heave the canoes on to the trailer. We’re tired but had a fun day!
Group 6
Today at Lagganlia Group 6 had an
amazing day. In the morning we set off
with our instructor Martin and had an adventurous time gorge walking. We overcame
challenges, climbed the gorge and plunged several times into deep pools. We all
got completely soaked. It was cold and tiring but awesome!
After lunch back at the centre, we
went mountain biking and followed a trail through the woods from Feshiebridge.
Some of us found this activity tougher than others and a few of us definitely
learned some new biking skills. It was a long trail but a memorable one. We
especially enjoyed going fast downhill. Martin gave us a tasty tray-bake midway
through the afternoon to give us an energy boost. Unfortunately Brooke had a
peedie accident on a sharp bend coming down hill and hurt her knee, but she
powered on bravely. We all agreed that, all in all, our first full day at
Lagganlia was thrilling!
