Residential update: Wednesday PM

It's been another really great day today! As I said this morning, everyone slept well, so that meant there were high spirits this morning and everyone got stuck into the day with gusto. We have had two birthdays today as well, which at PGL means a card signed by all the instructors and a pass to go to the front of every line all day, be it food or activity. Happy birthday has been sung a hundred times and whilst I managed to borrow a lighter to do candles, the comedy value of trying to light all 11 on each of the two cakes was high, resulting in us deciding they were 5 years old instead as that was all I could keep alight without burning my fingers.

 

Breakfast was a choice of sausages, beans, mushrooms, hash browns and then lots of cereal choices, porridge and of course toast, yoghurts and fruit, and all was consumed with a great deal of enthusiasm.

 

An unannounced room inspection resulted in significantly lower scores than yesterday - scores were based not just on appearance of room but also including the general aroma in each one, which, I can't lie, in some areas is questionable. All children had a shower the night before, as it had been canoeing so we made everyone shower (most without complaint), so it's not that they haven't been INTO the shower, but I'd like to state a no-responsibility disclaimer for what actually happens whilst in the shower and whether any actual cleaning has taken place. It may be worth preparing your 'I've missed you so much I don't mind what state you are in' homecoming face, just so you are ready.

 

Activities today included climbing, problem solving, trapeze and orienteering. Many children pushed themselves beyond their limits, which we are so proud of. All children will be able to talk about what they have achieved this resi, which proves why it's such a brilliant thing to do.

 

Lunch was spag bol or veggie version or rolls, and lots of children opted for rolls. Again, all children ate well - I promise many are having salad and fruit too.

 

The sport-focussed crew amongst the class got their chance to go and play on the astro-turf court they'd been promised on day 1 but it had been too rainy for, which made some children very happy, and at lunchtime there was also session collecting firewood for our campfire tonight!

 

Dinner was chicken tikka masala, or cottage pie, or pasta, and although a couple of children were unsure of thee options, we made sure everyone ate something that they were ok with.

 

Then it was campfire. Cue lots of songs I've not sung since I was a brownie 1,247 years ago, although nothing scary or too gruesome which is good. We got wet but it was worth it. That does mean now that there will be even more wet clothes and I promise I did a lot of reminding to hang them up to dry, but at this stage I'm not in the slightest bit hopeful that more than about 12% will have done that. So for you, that means opening a case of clothes tomorrow that will have a mixture of wet and dry (so mostly wet). I'm sorry- we tried.

 

After yet more cake this evening, children voluntarily went off to their rooms and began to settle down. A general exhaustedness is kicking in, but there's only one day to go. I think they may need to sleep for a good couple of days when we get back! After bedtime cuddles, high fives and fist bumps, children settled and most were out like a light, by about 9.20 tonight.

 

However. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers, as tomorrow is... packing day. We dread this day for 264 days of the year. Unless you've tried it, you honestly have no idea how hard it is to get 30 children to put their things in their own bag, whilst navigating taking off duvet and pillow cases and sheets, checking nothing is left behind, whilst also getting dressed etc, and then there's the pants. You think I'm joking, but I'm deadly serious. Us adults will all be digging deep for patience tomorrow in asking the same question over and over again... 'who does this belong to?'

 

As I write this, the corridor is still quiet so I'm hopefully for a good nights sleep. Tomorrow we will bring home your wonderful children, who can't wait to see you and who will have lots of news to share!

 

Mrs Rennison