Saturday 25th June
We arrive at Calais at 7.00 am and take the ferry back to Dover, only to be greeted by rain. The journey back to Eagle House is quiet as we sleep or think about the week past. We unload the coach, say farewell to Robin and Keith and head home. It has been a great week and Year 8 have done themselves proud. Thank you to all parents for sending such great kids - apologies for the washing!
Friday 24th June
Dawn breaks at around 4.00 am but the group sleep until about 7.00 am. The camp is quite full and slowly the whole place comes to life. Breakfast - cereal, beans, sausages - is cooked by the River Team and then we pack up and get back onto the river. Another sunny day although the wind has picked up. 14 km to do today. We stop off and swim into a river cave and then continue down the river before lunch and some boat bouncing! The last part of the river is quite long and arms are rather tired butwe all manage to make it to the finish. After pulling the boats out of the water we make our way to the coach (not our regular one but a very snazzy touring coach that has come to take us back to the centre).
 
 
Once back we pack and shower before having supper. One last 'Shake Down' and onto the coach. Our stay at Segries has been amazing and we are sad to see the river team wave us good bye. The journey up through France is long but sleep gets the better of many of us.
Thursday 23rd June
I write this early as we pack our barrels and get ready for today's adventure on the river and our night underneath the stars. It is raining here but the forecast for the day is good and warm so we're not too worried!
Later . . . .
What a great day we had on the river. Quite a long paddle today - about 12 km and quite a few rapids to negotiate but the river is much lower than last year and this has made the river more bumpy but less scary! The river is warm and most of the kids get to spend a lot of time in it rather than their boats! In the afternoon we stopped and the group swam, slid and soaked up the warmth. Each pair in the canoes has achieved a lot today and they all swing into action as we hit the beach at the bivouac site. Boats are hauled up onto the beach and all the barrels are carried up the path to the camp site. Once there roll mats and tarpaulins are handed out and the Eagles camp is in position. The site is beautiful, set in the heart of the gorge with nothing but the sound of the river and wildlife to hear.
 
 
Supper is cooked by our River Team and then we prepare for entertainment - everyone has to perform a short sketch. The acts are good and impressions are very well observed! The night is warm and we all sleep under the stars; some of the group stay up chatting, screaming at the occasional insect or searching for wild boar!
Wednesday 22nd June
We awake to another sunny day and two birthdays! Rudy and Lewis' 13th birthdays. After a later start we then met our river team and had our river talk. This basically involves getting very wet and learning about the descent of the Ardeche.
 
After getting our stuff together it was time to get on the coach for a short journey to the river. Once there and split into pairs we got into the canoes and headed out on the water. The river is particularly low this year and so the rapids were a bit like playing pinball and bouncing off various rocks!
We took our time today, learning the skills and having some fun. Lunch was on the river and after that we paddled under Pont D'Arc and then did some rock jumping before pulling the boats out of the water and making our way back to the waiting coach and a drive back to the centre.
  
Once back we began to get our things ready for the overnight camp-out on Thursday. After supper a swim in the pool and then Robot Wars in which kids covered themselves with flour and water. Rudy and Lewis shared their birthday cake with us all and the final disco then beckoned. A lot of tired faces this evening so an early night for some.
Tuesday 21st June
We awoke to a hazy but hot day in Mimosa and set about packing up our belongings. There were a few sad faces as we said goodbye to the centre and Lucy and Hannah, our team leaders. Tents were swept of sand and the job of loading the coach began. After some farewells we set off for Avignon.
We arrived to a scorching hot Avignon and had lunch on the banks of the river. Then off to explore the city for a couple of hours to buy souvenirs and have a look around. The city is truly beautiful and we all enjoyed our reminder that we are in France!
 
 
Back onto the hottest coach in the world (!) for the next part of the journey to Segries. We arrived at the centre and the kids were impressed with their chalet accommodation. After a quick site tour we had supper and went for a swim in the pool here. A little overcast this evening and some rain!
Another disco to prepare for and then a day on the river to look forward to tomorrow.
Monday 20th June
Our last full day in Mimosa and we head off to Cap D'Agde for some snorkeling. It is a 30 minute coach journey to the beach but worth the drive. The beach has black sand that is already scorching when we arrive. The group is split into two groups - one stays on the beach while the other goes into the water for a snorkel around the bay. The water is chilly but refreshing and all of us enjoy the activity.
 
After returning to the centre for lunch we head down to the beach for banana boat riding. We split into groups of 6 and await the 'ocean rider'! This is a great activity and the children love it. It is a perfect afternoon and everyone gets to spend a good time out on the ocean.
In the evening after supper we play Super Heroes - each group creates their own super hero and has to sell the idea to everyone. Some great creations are put together and a worthy winner is chosen. Another disco and then back to the tents for our last night in Mimosa.
Sunday 19th June
Quite windy today but not bad enough to keep us off the water. We are funboat sailing today. The basics are explained and then it is into the water with an instructor for a relay race around the buoys. The sea is perfect and the boats speed along.
 
In the afternoon we head back to the beach for a splash session and beach games. The wind has stopped all sea going activities but we are not bothered, the beach is superb and the kids have a fantastic time going in and out of the sea.
The evening activity is entitled 'Get Your Own Back' and involves one of us getting soaked by the children - yours truly! After that there is a disco to prepare for before another great day tomorrow.
Saturday 18th June
After our delayed start to the trip we arrive at the PGL Mimosa site, tired and looking forward to some lunch. We are warmly greeted by Lucy our Group Leader and shown to our village - Village 3. After lunch it is straight down to the beach for catamaran sailing. The wind is strong so only half the group get to go which is a shame as the boats race along the water. Only half an hour in and Robin V manages to put his finger out of joint during a beach game and he and I go off to Beziers hospital to get some medical assistance. We are accompanied by Georgie from PGL and the three of us sit there for 3 hours. The doctor looks at the finger, we have an x-ray and then it is strapped up and we make our way back to the centre. Robin was amazing throughout his ordeal, never once complaining and good company throughout the trip to A&E.
There are better places to be than Beziers hospital but at least we make it back for some supper and then rejoin the others who are preparing for the disco. A long first day but being here in the sun and by the sea is enough of a tonic!
Friday 17th June
All ready to depart - bags packed and the coach filled - and then it breaks down! We all get off the coach and head back into school for lunch (thanks Kirsty) and go and sit in the Arts Hall watching a movie until a replacement vehicle is sent. Finally we leave but are several hours behind and the M25 takes us nowhere fast! By the time we reach Dover amidst pouring rain it is 8.45 pm. The ferry crossing is a bit chaotic with seemingly endless groups of shouting kids on board (EH apart!). Robin and Keith, our drivers, are a delight and soon get us on the road and we settle down for the drive to the south. |
