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Day three began with some very tired children having to pack their bags and strip down the bedding from their dormitories. Once this was completed the group headed for a breakfast of cereal, fruit juice and toast. After some free time around the grounds the activities were rotated once again with one group going bouldering, one on the high/low ropes course and the final group doing orienteering and archery. The kids were fantastic in all the activities but especially on the high ropes course and the archery.
Lunch was busy as we joined Lisanally Special School and Newcastle PS in the canteen for hot dog, beans and chips. A quick check of the changing rooms and bedrooms to collect any missing clothes, a final fifteen minutes of free time and the children gathered to say thank you to the wonderful Shannaghmore instructors. The bus left promptly at 1.40pm and we arrived back in Tandragee at 2.50pm. Another great adventure for P6 and the children were fantastic ambassadors. A very sincere thank you to Mrs Balfour (and her five suitcases), Miss Harte and Mrs McCallen for all their hard work. Well done everybody!!
Another beautiful morning in Newcastle. The children awoke at 7.50am with some groups being up earlier than others! A breakfast of cereal, fruit juice and toast allowed the group to have some freetime around the grounds meeting up at 9.30am in the conference room. Today the children were placed in three groups to complete the activities of bouldering, archery, orienteering and the high/low ropes courses. The groups rotated around all the events leaving one final activity for the last day. This was the first time this year that the instructors could take groups wet bouldering due to the water temperature so we were very thankful.
Lunch comprised of spaghetti bolognese with garlic bread or cottage pie and was gratefully accepted by some very hungry children. After lunch the weather remained positive with all of the groups engaged outside and energy levels were beginning to wain. Dinner was a lovely roast ham with roast potatoes, stuffing and peas. There were many pupils up for seconds tonight!
After dinner the kids completed the nightline exercise blindfolded, up through the forest. The group were really good and completed the course extremely quickly. Some time for the odd sweet or two and we headed for a supper of toast and juice at 8.45pm. It was a special occasion tonight as we celebrated two birthdays for Finley (yesterday) and Zack M today. Happy birthday boys from all the staff!
Ready for bed at 9.30pm and lights were out at 9.45pm. Have to say I can still hear the odd whisper or two! Good night all.
It was great to wake to temperatures of 11 degrees and not the wintry cold of the last few weeks. The weather has been kind to us today and the kids have made full use of it. The bus left promptly at 9.35am and the journey to Newcastle was brief and bar a quick detour at Moneyslane pretty normal. The group arrived at 11.00am and were given a quick safety talk and fire drill with the instructors. The rooms were organised and the groups set off to the stores to gather all their gear and hang it up in the changing rooms. Some free time around the grounds was followed by a lunch of sausage rolls, spaghetti hoops and chips which was happily wolfed down.
After lunch the whole group went canoeing on Castlewellan lake which was great fun and ended with a lot of wet teachers and children! Dinner was a lovely chicken pie, carrots and creamed potatoes followed by apple pie and cream. Twenty minutes free time brought us to the night time activity of a moonlit walk along Murlough Beach. The weather was beautiful to start with but it soon changed and the wind and rain arrived as we headed back to the buses. A final stop at the shop of provisions and the £5 from each pupil was greatly appreciated by Supervalu.
Fifteen minutes in the common room with a few treats and then the group were heading up to bed at 9.45pm with lights to be out at 10.00pm. Great first day and some very tired P6's.