What an idyllic weekend we had for our P6 and 7 trip last weekend: the team were amazing, the island was perfect and the weather, of course, was the 'icing on top'. What a fantastic trip - thanks to all the pupils who braved the adventure.
Finlay's fab pebble towers!
We embarked on a few projects on this trip. One of these was a Andy Goldsworthy-inspired attempt at nature art. This is a snapshot of the first stage of our island on an island. Every time I passed the spot, something else had been added - a minature tent, path and fire; an island on the island's island (!), more boats, a beach and so on.
Nora surveys her island.
Douglas' lovely, and ever-more-complex pebble towers.
Daisy's twig and leaf boat creation.
Canoeing and swimming was the number one activity of the weekend.
Our loch Lomond weekends work as well as they do because of our brilliant staff. We are lucky enough to have ex-pupils come along to help. This weekend we had Douglas and Rachel, who are just about to finish up at university, and were the backbone of my Outdoor Education team now so many years ago.
Bizzy and Freja find island treasure!
Island bakeoff begins, with Julian cooking up a complex dish.
Yet more rocky creations appear on the beach.
Freja tucks in.
Cameron takes on the hugely important task of dishing up.
Luca declares his meal possibly the best meal he has ever had!
Alexander and Luca enjoy the evening sun on the shore of our island.
Second time around, the girls' meal is edible, and it's delicious.
Amelia and Edie striding out.
Yet more happy canoe shenanigans.
Thomas and Torin getting comfortable around the campfire.
Doughsticks are a laborious but rewarding activity!
Once again, the moment the pupils are up, they want to play in the canoes. I love that this activity is such a natural, spontaneous choice for pupils - and their developing skills reflect that.
Solo canoeing is a difficult skill to master, even in these calm conditions.
Breakfast and whittling.
Our instructors: Douglas, Rachel and Sam.
Nora takes up a spot of whittling after breakfast.
Bizzy takes the leap. The water is suprisingly cold. Or perhaps unsurprising given the recent snowfall on Ben Lomond.
The boys get ready to jump from their canoes for a morning dip.
Cameron dives in.
Drying off with hot chocolate and a second round of breakfast.
Torin enjoying the morning air!
Amelia breakfasting in style.
Sam and Rachel prepare the lunch table!
Our team
Creating an island shape from the space above us.
The journey home.
