4B's trip has gone smoothly right up to our return to school. Thanks to the wonderful Arethusa staff, and to Mrs Allen and Mr Squire, and Mrs Moncur for the preparations. The children especially want to thank Mr Fraser for booking it.

The last morning was a test of bravery, as the last few photos show.

All the children recorded a raucous choral greeting for their families, but my video clip wouldn't upload with sound. Sorry.
We are a happy, healthy, and somewhat hoarse group, looking forward to high ropes, climbing, and returning to our families tomorrow.
That's all for today.

After dinner we all shopped for souvenirs and gifts then snacked and sang by the bonfire, where everything worked except my flash.

Then shelter building combined brains and brawn. Here are the 'aardvarks' and the 'baboons' in and out of their shelters.

Initiative games re-engaged our brains after the more physical challenges, and produced great teamwork.

A sartorial gender battle broke out during our otherwise very civilised mealtimes!

Thursday - again masses of calories taken in and masses burned off.

Literally full of beans, we started with open field orienteering (W.A.L.T. face the same way we're pointing the map) then played some variations on water polo in the pool.

4B were all asked for their opinions so far in 3 words. Some were evidently too tired to count words accurately, but the enthusiasm is unmistakable!
JR; brilliant exciting adventures
BL; brilliant and fun
JW; awesome but tiring
VS; It is awesome.
HCa; It's a wonderland.
AHo; Arethusa is heaven.
LA-M; So very adventurous.
AG; Long journey but happy
AB; Arethusa is awesome.
IC; This is awesome.
DH; I love Arethusa.
NH; Arethusa is epic.
CM; I love Arethusa.
PT; It's a dream.
GV; It's soooooo fun.
AHa; Best place ever.
MH; Nearly best place ever.
NB; So so fun.
KD; It is so fun.
HCr; fun, exciting, friends
CB; I love the pool.
JM; Miss you, loving the place.
JV; This is epic.
CO'M; I love it.
KA; Yippee fun.
And we all say a big "wish you were here" to Adam, Joshua, Jaden, Gabriel & James.

That's all for today.

Dinner was a filling portion of roast turkey with roast potatoes, carrots and cabbage, then fruit. Then some watched a DVD and conserved energy for tomorrow, while those who weren't worn out played some football and basketball in the gym. Finally everyone had a shower and hot chocolate or squash with biscuits for a nightcap.

Dormitory groups and the common room in Moller House.

(The boy who can be seen falling over is fine.)

This is 4B hiding during a game that was known as "blockie" in Mr Bloom's school days.

The woodland adventure walk frankly disappointed some children whose aim was to cake themsleves beyond recognition in Medway mud, but our excellent instructors Jim and Jess found us opportunities for climbing and sliding. In case you were wondering, the sticks on heads are a defence against the Medway drop bear, a fearsome tree-dwelling predator!!!

First event in the Tubbelympics; the 100 metre bag drag won convincingly by Alexander. Next the pankration, with 4B in the blue corner and an assortment of tenacious duvet covers in the red corner. Result; score draw. A welcome, a fire drill, a sandwich lunch, an adventure playground session, and off to the pool for "Splash and Dash", which consisted of water confidence tests then games such as soak-an-instructor.

Finally online!

Apologies for any anxiety caused by the delay. We've had some technical difficulty getting online, but all is well with 4B. Photos and details to follow immediately...

4B have arrived let the fun commence!

Pupils and staff have now arrived safely at Arethusa.


The children have been very busy settling into their rooms and making up their beds ready for this evening. They are now ready for the fun to commence!

Keeping checking in for latest news and photographs later on today.

4B Are On Their Way!

Lots of excitement at Tubbenden this morning as children and staff prepared to leave for Arethusa, see below a few photographs.