Brambletye Leavers arrive at the Adventure School

The Brambletye team coach pulled into view on the Skerricha loop road at five o’clock this afternoon. Doors opened and the ‘leavers hoody’ clad team hopped off to help pack their hold bags into the tailer and 4×4 before setting off on foot for the 15-minute walk across the hill and along the shore to the Adventure School.

The next hour or so was a frenzy of unpacking, kit checking and hiring, rucksack packing and table laying before we sat down for dinner. Macaroni cheese and salads followed by chocolate brownie this evening.

After dinner, and in their four teams (Red Deer, Red Snappers, Blue Whales and Blue Moons) the pupils set off to climb to a high point above the Adventure School where they can get a 360-degree view of the landscape that we will explore together over the next week. It is the first glimpse of survival island, of Arkle (the mountain that we’ll climb together) and the network of sea lochs that we kayak in.

There was a strong show of hands for a swim before breakfast tomorrow morning. Always good to take the bolder option! After breakfast, we’ll be rock climbing and abseiling and looking at the ‘fire and food’ element of the survival skills that the pupils will need in preparation for the island. Looks like some light rain tomorrow morning clearing to give a good day.

We’ll be heading out to wild camp tomorrow night, and climb the mountain on Tuesday. More news on our return on Tuesday evening.