Gwilym's Adventure Blog

This was my second and last week as Temporary, Acting, Part Time Head of Outdoor Education.  With Storm Brendan giving us some pretty serious weather, I have ended up inside at The Life Centre climbing wall every day this week with different groups of Plymouth College students. Quote of the week from one student to me was "Sir, when are the proper instructors coming back?"

This week has been a blast from the past for me. I am temporary, part time, acting Head of Outdoor Education at Plymouth College for two weeks paternity cover. A couple for indoor climbing sessions including coaching lead climbing, a few classroom lessons and a day at Haldon Hill on mountain bikes interspersed with some paperwork and other essential admin to keep the department running until everyone comes back to work. Today was so wet on the bikes, big effort from the students as we rode through deluge after deluge with mud and water flying everywhere.

Today I was working for Plymouth College overseeing some 6th form students running paddling activities for Year 7. A nice relaxed day and nowhere near as cold as I expected. It was great to watch the older students take the lead from greeting the younger ones, loading boats and minibus, running sessions and packing up all the kit as the end.

A dry start to the three day expedition on Exmoor for Bridgwater and Taunton College Level 3 Uniformed Emergency Services students but that turned wet very quickly The same route as last week from Porlock Weir with a camp at Horner Scout Campsite, a trip over Dunkery Beacon (519m) and second camp at Halse Farm, and the finish at Tarr Steps this morning. Last week we stayed dry, this week we did not. From midday yesterday until into the evening it was pretty wet and there were a few soggy students when they arrived on site. However, all finished happily enough this morning with only light showers to keep them moving along.

For the last 3 days I have been on Exmoor with Bridgwater and Taunton College Level 3 Uniformed Emergency Services students for their assessed expedition. Starting at Porlock Weir with a camp at Horner Scout Campsite, a trip over Dunkery Beacon (519m)and second camp at Halse Farm, they made it to the finish at Tarr Steps this morning. We lucked out with the weather and it was nowhere near as wet as forecast. This does of course mean we will probably get rained on next week