Adventure Training

"You can't get wetter than wet!" I am pleased to say that I didn't hear Mr. Parkinson say this once - which made CCF Adventure Training 1996 an extra special one. Not that there wasn'tmuch wetness around; indeed so much that the cadet training team fulfilled an ambition by taking one group of6 canoeing on a fast flowing and flooded river Derwent; only 3 out of the 6 suffering serious confusion about the correct vertical alignment of canoe and canoeist and engaging in unscheduled inversion. As always the training team, Smudge, Dave and Harry, were superb in everything they did and were marvellous company, as well as an endless source of new card tricks. All the usual activities were on the menu as well as some new ones. Ali and Amy tried their hand at mountain rescue (with great success) and Alex Hargrave-Smith tried to introduce upside down canoeing as a new water-sport which had a surprising number of devoted followers but unfortunately not Mr. Parkinson and Mr. Harcourt; they just managed to escape an ambush attempt by groups 7 and 8 whilst out rowing - better luck next time! Regarding the expeditions, there was quite a bit of geographical embarrassment, a few directional challenges and the odd group was locationally disadvantaged but I'm pleased to say that this year nobody found themselves lost! The silver group, and in particular Geoffrey, came up with a simple solution to all these problems which is summarised as follows: "When the going gets tough, the tough go to the loo!" Alex McNaughton must have donej ust that when he awoke whilst in is tent to find a sheep sitting on his head. Perhaps this is the same sheep that found Mr. Collins so attractive? Revenge was sweet when Mr. Collins cooked a beautiful meal of stuffed shoulder of lamb on Wednesday night which did nothing but compliment the sky-high standard of cooking we were treated to all week (except those on ration packs) from mouth-watering chicken curry and stir fry to the loveable fried breakfasts - all were gratefully received. Thanks to all who contributed, especially Mr. Harcourt, for his culinary skills. It is always easy to spot the people who went adventure training when the school term restarts after Easter. They're the people who are least willing to sit down and its the mountain biking that is to blame. If anyone knows of a telephone help-line (Bumline?) please let Mr. P know - he went two days in a row. Alan and Matt Walker also had a painful meeting on bikes and nobody is quite sure if there will ever be any little Walkers. However the prize forthe biggest liability on two wheels is awarded to Matt Wooderson for his amazing bike aerobics. The plumbing prize goes to Jo for her, well er..., plumbing and to stop arguments the snoring prize was shared (again) between Mr. P and Mr. H. Mr. Collins,whilstabseiling,providedabriefsolar eclipse for all those spectating and the bad weather ensured Keswick's rock wall was visited by most groups. Andrew Wingham found true love whilstgokarting with his partnertaking the form of one ofthe bends - he simply couldn't complete a lap without paying it a visit! The last night was a very special occasion because not only was everyone there but also it was the night of the Official 1996 Squirty Cream Competition. Richard Wooderson' s record of eating 11 seconds worth of cream (which is squirted into the mouth of the contestant) without the use of hands, was there for the taking and numerous people had a go. Dan found that 3 cans of cream at once was a little too much to swallow and ended up, shall we say, covered in the stuff. Mr. Collins stole the title of Champion Creamer with a convincing 15 seconds andnewtechnique which actually involved eating the stuffl . As always Mrs. Wilkinson had us all on our guard with her camera and no doubt she captured more than a few incriminating snaps! Everybody who attended adventure training had a thoroughly enjoyable time and the `not quite at school' atmosphere was maintained and appreciated by all. Endless thanks must go to all those who gave so much to make this yearyet another success, especially Brian Miller for the enormous amounts of work he puts in, to ensure the smooth running of everything (Mrs. Jackson's minibus excepted), to Mr. Parkinson for organising everything so brilliantly and to all the staff. A big `well done' to all involved!

Dan Willdridge