The big castle at Dalguise used to be a summer house for Beatrix Potter and she dreamed up her animals because of it.

Before and after our challenges we went to the house and played games and at night we went there for ‘evening ents’. The first night we played human cluedo and the next night we went to a disco.

Outside, the castle is surrounded by hills and loads of different kinds and sizes of trees. The ground was very muddy and slippy because it rained a lot on the Friday and Saturday. We all got really mucky – it was great

By Sophie McReynolds

 Abseiling

          One activity was the colossal Abseiling.  It was really funny especially when Kelsey and Demi made up a song: it went ‘jump and jump and flick and flick’ and they came down jumping and flicking their hair to the song.

          When I went down I was singing the chicken song that Kylie taught us.  I was meant to be going down with Sara. But Sara never got down with me because the last person on her side was still going down.

           SSSSSSSO, it turned out I sang it all by myself.  It was really fun. When a got down Sara was a tiny bit angry but not in a bad way.

          Going off you felt like you were away to fall when you leaned back.  It’s MUCH higher than it looks.  I took little steps until I got onto the flat surfaces.  Then away I went - not remembering to lean back.

           Eventually, after a lot of bruises, I got down.

By Jodie Scott

text here

The Giant Swing

The Giant Swing was our fourth activity after motor sports. I was the first person with Joe to go on it. Everyone was really scared and nervous. Even though I had been on a lot of roller coasters in my life, I was still scared.

            The six people who were not in the swing had to pull a rope to bring the people in the seat up to the top. Once Joe and I were strapped in, the 6 people and the two teachers pulled on the rope. We had to pull a string above us to release the chord. I was getting butterflies in my stomach.

             We released the chord and we both went flying. You felt very good after being on it. Some people only went halfway up. I went up to the top both times. We all had two shots each and I felt my stomach lurch the second time. Everyone enjoyed it.

Danny Cargill

Sequoia Scramble     

When I went down to the sequoia scramble with my group we all got a harness and a safety helmet on. It was my turn to go. I started climbing on the wobbly ladder and then onto the climbing wall. Next I climbed onto a net and then onto a ladder. Finally I went onto a wooden ledge and then rang the bell. The instructors told me to face the tree and step off. I felt quite scared because it was 50 feet high but I managed it so I was mega happy. When I got to the climbing wall I abseiled down. I went over and got the safety ropes off.

       Everybody gave the challenge a try but it was really, really difficult. All our friends who were watching cheered us on and tried to help us not give up.

                                                                                             by Dean Wolecki

 Zip Wire

           We were just going to the Zip Wire for our first activity on Sunday. At first I thought it was one of the one’s you grab onto, but it wasn’t, so I was less scared. Then we all got geared up. It was going to be Amber, Ben, me and then the rest, but after going all the way up the muddy hill, Amber didn’t want to go first.

            We had to decide who would go first. I didn’t want to - I wanted to watch someone first, but inevitably I had to go first Miss Taylor said so.

            I was so scared, almost the scariest I’ve ever been. I kept telling myself. “Scared of what?” Then the guy got all the ropes and said. “Who’s first?”

            I went up. I was terrified but kept saying its ok. I knew it was, just look at all the safety gear it was going to be fine. Then he geared me up to the ropes, but it felt like it was pulling me over the edge.

            The man shouted. “All ready.” That was scary itself. Then he said. “When you are ready let go of the bar and slide forward.” I told him to just do it. So he lifted the rope and…. Whoosh! Oh what an experience I was glad I’d done it, it was amazing. I can’t explain it oh it was just great. I swung then hit the tyre and came back. I had to let go so the other guy could get me down.

            I got the flip flop off but I couldn’t break the penguin’s beak. The guy had to climb up and help me. It was amazing. Mrs. Malone said I had done really well! I cheered everyone else on and only one person didn’t do it.

            On my second turn I did it no handed and I sang a song it was brilliant. All of us had done really well and enjoyed it.

By Logan Smith