Hornsea 2008
Friday 29th February
What a first day. The children arrived looking somewhere between excited and terrified but the adventure was just beginning. Once the teary goodbyes had been completed, we were on the coaches and ready to start the business of properly enjoying ourselves!
We arrived at Hornsea centre at around half past two and were greeted with the warm welcome from the centre staff and Shadow the dog. Then a quick whizz through the rules and time to start making beds. A number of strategies were used but you'll be glad to know that only one child got completely lost in their duvet cover! As usual, the quality of the boys' bed making was second to none and the girls apparently had no 'help', and if you believe that you'll believe anything.
A quick dinner and then a walk (sprint at the speed Mr L'Amie sets!) down to the swimming pool through wolf infested woods and over troll bridges. Much splashing and screaming followed in the pool and much fun was had by all. Plus there was time for a little treat on the way home.
Then time for some cocoa and Emily's birthday cake before heading tired but happy to bed after our first day in Hornsea.
Saturday 1st March
Saturday 1st March, the day that will be remembered forever as the day of the mud monster. It started like any other day, with a hearty breakfast of toast and cereal. Then suiting and booting up ready to tackle the 7 mile walk! With the sun beating down, we set off in beautiful conditions and shortly after, encountered our first major obstacle, the biggest puddle you have ever seen. We had no choice but to tackle this challenge head on so ploughed through with just a bit of mud and spray (see pics below!)
After THE puddle was negotiated, we had a brief rest at the Goxhall church before continuing our journey. Had we know what would face us next, maybe we would have turned back, however we headed straight into the lair of the mud monster. We didn't know what we had stumbled onto until the monster claimed its first boot. Then the team pulled together and we escaped the monster victorious, with the monster only claiming five pairs of boots. The celebrations were long as we would always know that we survived and emerged victorious from the jaws of the mud monster.
Once back at the centre, some much needed showers were enjoyed and there was time for the teachers to beat the children (20 of them, 4 of us!) 6-1 at football. There was a suggestion of cheating and letters being sent to FIFA, however we wholeheartedly deny these allegations! Then a wicked hip hop dance session with Miss Steeples and a dinner of seriously good fish and chips before it was time for the disco. After much perfume and gel, all of the children had a brilliant time at the disco and the night was topped off with some fantastic fireworks and then, sadly, our second day was over.
Sunday 2nd March
Mr Hirstle's favourite day of the Hornsea residential as he gets to hear our children singing at the local church. As always they acquitted themselves perfectly and sang beautifully and the staff could not have been more proud of them. This Sunday was extra special being Mother's Day and the children gave out beautiful bunches of daffodils (thanks Sandie, Justine and Jenny for the flowers) to the local parishioners which was a lovely gesture. Then time for a picnic lunch in the parish centre before heading off to the beach for the much celebrated beach art competition, which was won by Mr Tregear's 'perfect' group (of course!) before an ice cream and the walk back to the centre.
Unfortunately, due to Mr Tregear's broken finger and a distinct lack of firewood, we couldn't have the promised camp fire so instead we played some hilarious games. Eating a Kit Kat in one bite, the most extreme game of sleeping lions ever, the staff dancing competition and a rather scary wolf hunt! What a brilliant night we had. Such a good day but we were definitely ready for some sleep.
Monday 3rd March
Our last day! It always goes by in a blink because we really do never stop laughing. Much packing of bags and stripping of beds was done before a breakfast of piping hot sausage and beans. We set off from the centre with heavy hearts at about ten o'clock to head for Honeysuckle Farm, which was opened especially just for us! We had a brilliant time, getting to feed the animals, having a cart ride and playing the best games of hide and seek in between the hay bales. Special mentions to Matthew, Lucy and Declan for some very imaginative hiding. Unfortunately all good things must come to an end, and we had to leave after a quick ice cream. The journey home was full of laughter and story telling before arriving back at Southdale, to be greeted with huge smiles and big hugs. Another brilliant Hornsea weekend was over but the memories will last a lifetime...
A quick mention for Mr Wood. It was his first ever residential and he enjoyed himself so much. We normally expect some children to struggle with being away from home and doing things for themselves but we didn't expect it of Mr Wood. He managed to lock himself out of his bedroom not once, not twice but three times. He also managed to build up more lost property than all of the children and not to mention his shocking aim with a football! Good luck in Barcelona Floyd.