Wales HMC 2023 (Year 6)

Day 1

How much can you fit into one day? Loads it seems. We made our way to Big Pit and all enjoyed a fascinating tour underground. We learned all about those poor pit ponies and the workers who enjoyed a whole two weeks off a year. It’s difficult to imagine how the horses must have felt running through the fields for those two weeks, only to return into complete darkness for the next 50 weeks of the year.

We arrived at the centre and all walked down the lane. After a guided tour of the centre, we all settled down for tea. Pasta tonight – giving us the carbs for tomorrow. Two groups up a mountain, one down the cave and The Birdman for the others.

To complete the day, we took all the children to the hill for some wide games. You’ll be delighted to hear that quite a few of the boys were considering a shower tonight. Only considering…but that’s a great start.

WE ARE HAVING TROUBLE UPLOADING SOME OF THE PHOTOS BUT WE HOPE TO HAVE SOME MORE TOMORROW….PLEASE BEAR WITH US.

Wales Day 1

Day 2

Group 1 and 2 made their way up the mountain today. No route up the mountain is easy but some of the challenges today were not for the faint-hearted. Scrambling up steep slopes and walking a considerable distance all point to sleeping well tonight #mypoorfeet.

Group 3 went to the caves and the waterfalls. This group were quite simply brilliant. Led by Mrs Rickards, they just had fun. Splashing around and enjoying the great outdoors. We think the pictures speak for themselves.

Group 4 were visited by ‘The Birdman’ who was once again superb. They were all brimming with information about the wildlife they saw and all held a bird(s) of prey in one shape or form. One of the eagles, the one with a 2 metre wingspan, was harassed by a number of red kites protecting their nesting area. By all accounts, this massive beast sat in the tree in a huff before eventually returning back to base.

I know it’s only Tuesday, it would be remiss of me to not to mention the staff here. On call 24 hours a day, and they are on call, they are not only climbing mountains and crawling through caves. They are also doing all of the catering, washing up, cleaning, tiding and leading evening activities. All 40 children had a cold and hot breakfast, had prepared their daily sandwiches and were ready for action by 8.40am!!!!

#teamworkmakesthedreamwork

Only one group up the mountain tomorrow and one down the caves. For the rest…‘The Birdman’ awaits.

See you tomorrow!

Day 2

Day 3 Part 1

After an evening playing up on the field, the children settled really well. A record. Boys all quiet by 9.58pm.

Mr Hutchinson, usually a fan of nature, is getting used to the ecosystems in Wales. Turns out it’s a little different than back home. In the early hours of the morning, before the sun comes up, at approximately 3am, a small morning chorus begins on Mr Hutchinson’s window sill. Around 5 birds appear (three starlings, a thrush and a blue tit) armed with two trombones, two cornets and a set of symbols, with the single aim of waking him up! After they’re done, and Mr Hutchinson is fully awake, ‘Tom Jones’ - the resident sheep – bursts into a full and throaty rendition of ‘The Green, Green Grass of Home’ to finish the job off!! Great way start to the day!

The children were all down to make their sandwiches. Ham/cheese/ham and cheese/cheese and ham and of course jam, salad and more. It’s great to see the children come down in the morning so bright eyed and bushy tailed!