The sun was beaming and so were the kids, as there was no doubt this was going to be a day of fun and frolics! First up was the magnificent Full English breakfast of course. This was followed by a bit of free time soaking up the rays and feeling the grass under their feet then the kids plunged into their activities - cricket nets, a film, tennis or justfooling about on the bottom field. Despite all this the 5th Year, being the budding young academics that they are, managed to squeeze in two hours of diligent revision and they told me they enjoyed it!
Burgers and hot dogs were roasted then devoured on the bottom field before everybody embarked on the afternoon's fun and games. One group had already raced off to the IMAX in Bradford with Mr Eaton and Mr and Mrs Weller where they saw, "Monsters versus Aliens" in 3D on a screen which was five double decker buses high! Afterwards they visited the National Media Museum where Amelia W presented the BBC news!
Some of the guys just chose to take it easy and stayed back at base to soak up the rays and play a bit of tennis with Mr and Mrs Berry. The players delighted in the perfect court conditions. With a mixture of friendly singles and doubles matches taking place, with some just wanting a knock up. Only the strawberries were missing!
Others went swimming to cool off after a morning of racing around with Mrs Young and Robbie. Others dashed off onto the Peaks to do a bit of mountaineering with Mr Watt and Ricky.
Mrs Bhamra let her girls doze in the sun at Hillcrest where they just enjoyed each other’s company. Mr Mace and Walter took a fabulous bunch up to Monsal Head where they had fun on the river bank, got muddy feet and played rounders. This was followed up by the obligatory ice-cream!
Mr Northcott took a small but select group down for a walk to Ashford in the Water to watch the Strollers play cricket. They set off with great gusto, only being held up by Mr Northcott’s faithful dog who was finding the heat a bit much. Along the way they passed lamas (is this Derbyshire or Tibet?) and went for a paddle in the river. When they arrived at the game, the Strollers were playing “fetch” most of the time, as the batsmen first passed the 50 mark and then the 100 mark. Mr Northcott frantically took notes on the Strollers given their crunch game against the staff on Tuesday. Everyone disappeared for an ice cream. Alex V clearly enjoyed his as you can see it all over his face!
On the way back and full of British spirit (or was it French daring?) the boys decided to have a swim in the river. Some time later and slightly cold (for it is not summer yet) the boys squelched back to school, proudly showing off their wet clothes. Mr Northcott has some great blackmail photographs that in 30 years will be worth a fortune!
Mrs Ling’s assembly was a deep and moving one that gave the children a chance to calm and find peace after their precious day. This is the stuff of dreams - it is days like today that the boys and girls will never forget – days that are full of fun, sunshine and friendship. First Class!
Posted on
Sun, April 26, 2009
by DEY
filed under