DAY 2

After a restless night, we tided our dorms for the room inspection. Three of us had extra duvets to keep out the cold and gained another one this morning. We thought the room looked pretty sharp today but we just got 8 points. After this, to some it becomes a bit of an obsession. After breakfast we took to the stage again for our instructions, or rather I did some last minute scrounge for my glasses then joined my group in orienteering. At first we were split into two teams to search for the little reflectors in a relay race, then we did the whole course in pairs. I coupled with Lauren, although I think she is secretly a rocket in disguise. We won! We then went onto the more challenging course in the hills and woods above the centre. Team work won the day for Lauren and myself again. It was amazing the air was so clear and the fields were crispy white. After having an argument with some pot holes, we returned once more to the hostel for lunch.

The next activity we did was caving, this gave me chance to wear my sailing gear and be as warm as warm could be, on the way to the caves I remembered that last year Viv had told us a rhyme I couldn't remember it, so I asked it her again, and this time I think I got it right... When you're eating bread and honey and your nose is rather runny be careful what you think is honey cause its snot. Squidgy bog of doom was a lot less squidgy today and in no time at all, we were at Thistle cave. We slid down a steep bank and entered the cave. All was dark and a bit eerie at first, but soon I relaxed and took in the splendour of this stone age mansion complete with chairs, tables and even ornaments, cool. It is surprisingly spacious in areas, but in others, crawling is required. Or indeed, swimming! as the case may be. Oh sorry Lisa, did we get you wet? Here I achieved another thing, I rolled over! Something I really struggled with earlier. At last we were in the sun. I got up then moved a bit before falling on top of Lisa, oops, sorry bout that. I took my helmet off and then walked on my knees for the majority of the way back to the bus. Lisa joined in and we looked like UMPA LUMPAS!-until she stepped in a puddle right up to her middle and was never to be seen on her knees again! Eventually we got back to the bus. We were all absolutely shattered but I managed to nick five to myself again. I was really proud of myself. 

After dinner we formed groups and congregated in the lounge area whilst the Low Mill staff threaded a rope round the down stairs of the hostel. Upstairs we were kept busy by trying to build the tallest free standing tower of paper, or where Alex is concerned a free hanging tower. Our group almost clinched the deal but it buckled as we were placing the pinnacle paper spike. It was a close call with our groups and Lisa's and if ours had bothered staying up for the time needed, it would have been our group that won, but hey that gave a little spice to the evening!

When all the paper was shoved to one side, we got into pairs and received a blindfold between us. It was the dreaded night line! George pulled the short straw and put on the blindfold, we made sure no one was behind us then we set off, I lead him through the course, over and under beds and even guided him to the riches of a stray five P.  I was so proud of him for putting his trust in me completely. Then I decided I would actually have a go, but a shorter one.  Well lets just say it was interesting, I found there were many ways of getting around blind, including threading the string through my mouth, although I was quite surprised when the next morning when I hacked up a hairball! Arum hum. Anyhow. What better way to relax then go to the pub! It was quick change then out with the halogens and down with the drinks- non alcoholic mind.  Again we frightened the locals with our darts then went through to the cave at the back which we occupied for the evening, playing pool and listening to another mini concert courtesy of Chopin- oh sorry, Colin!

Chris and I had a good old chinwag and another game of darts, we watched the Brit awards, TOM JONES won and then returned to Low Mill where we listened to the soap opera of dangling doom then went to bed.

DAY 3- Happy Birthday Sam!

Today was Sam's birthday, he said he had a great day so happy birthday from all of us.  Embarrassingly I was late having a bath and returned to a frantic Viv and Lisa trying to boost our room marks. Oh the question " what do you think we will get today?" I replied, probably about a five! But nah, not really, it was almost as neat as a pin. I was so embarrassed no amount of sorrys could put it right. I tided my part of the room and went up to breakfast. The final score by the way was 9 1/2! So nice one Viv and Lisa. Poor Anne tried so hard to get a low score for her room in a streak of rebellion on receiving a mediocre score when she really tried, but she could only manage one lower point than the previous day. Better luck next tip, oh I mean time.

We went to Hawes today, in my opinion the quaintest little town you could wish for, that was until, the DC crew rampaged it, ha ha ha. After a stop of for George's chocolates and annual photo outside of the church we went to the rope makers. I watched the process of the ropes being developed. I was so impressed I just had to get something to remind me. This I found in the way of a scarf, Oh my goodness they were the softest, most beautiful coloured pieces of material I have seen in a long time, it was a must in my eyes! I also got a little cuddly reindeer, so did George. I then took three different off cuts of rope.

At lunch we all sang Happy Birthday and then I got back into my sailing stuff as I had decided this year to double up on caving, rather than going abseiling, after a few moments of thinking I had failed I was memorized by the beauty of the cave, we reached the end of the show cave where some people, me included crawled through on our hands and knees, well I can tell you, that was the first sandy cave I have ever been in. It was amazing, like a big sand pit. The sand did get embedded down my wellies though. Presently we came to a pool of water that we waded through, except I tripped and found myself weightless, wow it was fabulous until I realised that water and mortar do things they did not aught a ! yes I was cemented into the boot, but hey, it was easier to walk! More crawling and more water and eventually we reached the end of the cave, we lay on the sand, all the lamps were turned off, the peace was blissful. The only sound to be heard was the gentle tinkling of the water. We then crawled the rest of the way back to the show cave.  Well done Helen, you see positive thinking really does work!

I was told I fell asleep on the return journey but I cannot remember, I had an amazing time! Wow. It had been an eventful day and just had a bath went to the pub and played darts.