Loch Insh 2019 Day 1

Blog Day1

We have had a great first day of our trip. We arrived safely and after a quick lunch we were out ready for the first set of activities. The safety talk went over the ‘do’s and don’ts for the week and we were raring to go.

We made our way down the 68 steps to the Boat House where all the activities start. The groups were sailing, canoeing and paddle boarding!

Canoeing:

With the children warmly dressed and waterproofs on they were given life jackets and a paddle! As a group they were shown how to hold the paddles and how to use them! Easier said than done! The lifejackets were securely fitted and checked before they made their way to the canoes down by the waterside.

In groups of two or three they were set off and were in a sheltered area at first to try and get the basics of manoeuvring the canoe as a team! Before long they set off up the loch. The wind was strong and so they did the difficult bit first…..canoe up stream! At least they would have the current with them on the way back!

All managed successfully and most managed to get back dry apart from damp feet!

Sailing

The sailors were going out in the ‘bigger’ boats as a group. The two groups were split into three and they were taken out to their boat in a little motorised launch. Once transferred from the launch they set about learning the basics of getting the boat to move either with or against the wind.

Before long they were soon being buffeted by the strong winds and were racing back and fore across the loch. They said they had to hold on quite tight at times as the gusts were very strong. Even being well wrapped up they were cold by the time they came back to shore.

However, they found it quite exciting and had experienced some tricky conditions to deal with.

Paddle Boarding

This is a new activity and we imagined them being out on paddle boards on their own! Well, this wasn’t the case! They went in groups on LARGE paddle boards that cold take 4 or 6 of them kneeling or standing on the boards!

However, first things first! There were WET SUITS to deal with! Now, if you have not put on a wet suit before these can be tricky items to deal with! And one or two found them VERY tricky!! You get hem part on…..then you get stuck! There is nothing else for it but to ‘ease’ them into them so they can get them zipped up before putting on the waterproof boots!

Life jackets on and they were off! Despite the wind they managed very well and coped excellently. They too soon took off up the loch in their groups while all learning how to work together!

This year we have once again drawn the ‘EARLY’ breakfast and early tea! So tomorrow as the other groups don’t arrive until lunchtime we can have a civilised breakfast at 8am. However, Wednesday and Thursday breakfast will be 7.30am!  Joy!

Tea was next in the daily activities. Off we went to the restaurant and all 58 of us piled in! Soup was first…..Lentil……which one pupil from Longside said was nice…but a bit bland!!!

Main course was a choice of macaroni cheese or spaghetti bolognaise! They all seemed quite happy! This played in to Mr Jenkins diet plan for the day!!

Pudding was apple crumble and custard….or either on their own!

All were fed and happy after a busy afternoon!

Evening activities included Problem Solving and working as a team to solve……well…..problems!! Two groups were Canadian canoeing and the loch was even rougher in the evening that it had been I the afternoon. So the groups spent most of the time in the sheltered ‘fishpond’ area playing games and honing their skills of navigating a canoe around tight spaces!

The raft builders were wrapped up warm. They too had work in teams to build their rafts…..using only rope, barrels and 6 long poles! Both created sturdy rafts and both survived the journey out to the outer area of the sheltered bay before coming back to shore and for some….jumping in to the FREEZING water!

After juice, or hot chocolate and a biscuit it was time to reflect on the day and discuss activities for Tuesday!

We will have cycling, archery and some repeats of today’s activities for the other groups!

So..all is well as we try and get some sleep!

Challenge one on Tuesday……making their packed lunch!