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The (in)famous Newlands Blog 2011

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Welcome to the 2011 Newlands blog where you will be able to read all sorts of exciting stuff about what the Year 6s are up to at Newlands in the Lake District.

We travel up on Wednesday 21st September and return (a lot tireder and also a little muddier) on Friday 23rd.

There will be some pictures and stories that should entertain you....and you get the chance to email us to let us know what you think of our exploits. The most recent stories will appear nearer the top of the page.

We hope that you enjoy our blog!!

(PS The blog is underneath the email box below!!)

Please use this form to send an email to Mr Wardle (Webmaster)

Friday 23rd September - 22:00

We arrived back at school 3 minutes before the predicted time and the majority of boys were whisked away by their loving parents - I bet some of those cars were smelly by the time they got home.

Having just awoken from a well-deserved snooze (well I think it was well deserved anyway) I thought I'd just summarise the things that have happened over the last couple of days...We have discovered the following:

ghyll scrambling and kayaking are the favourite activities, from what I can tell
Boys love pizza and hate getting washed
Valente Pearson refuses to eat the most delicious pasties in the world, preferring pasta, pasta and more pasta
Drinking lots of pop and water before you go to bed makes you want to go to the toilet
a quilt cover is a cover that covers a quilt (!!)
clothes dry best when not rolled up in a ball on the floor
clothes themselves are disposable commodities (we have 4 bin bags full of unclaimed garments)
It is a good idea to listen to instructions from instructors
boys who go to bed at 21:30 are likely to still be awake at 01:30 - and then wake up just after 05:15 (!!)
Newlands is simply the best
The teachers aren't paid enough to sort through piles of wet undies and socks (YUK!) - sorry...we didn't bring them back
Mrs Davies's teeth really ARE her own
The boys at MTS know how to have a great time.

It has been a really successful trip. We have been kept busy by the superb staff at the centre. I am sure that there are some very tired boys at home tonight. I hope that they have some very happy memories of their time at Newlands. Thank you parents for entrusting your little darlings to us. We hope that they have returned to you just a little more independent. Yep - it has been great. I'm off for a long soak and a large glass of something. Over and out!! - PW, AD, DY and DL

Friday 23rd September - 09:15

Well, the boys have left after clearing the bedrooms - when we say 'clearing' the boys idea of clearing and ours are at a tangent. They have stripped their beds ("What is a quilt cover?" was one of the questions that we answered this morning!!) The bags are all piled up in the lounge, although there is still a mound of stuff left in the drying room, some of it rather wet, sadly. If they come back with all of their clothes it will be a miracle.

Valente has gone of to the woods to take some photos oof the group - he is a good photographer. The ghyll scramblers are still getting themselves ready to trek up the hillside.

The boys were brilliant last night and the first noises were heard at 06:30 - that was more than acceptable. They were awoken by a specially selected bunch of boys and myself singing a very raucous "Happy Birthday" in honour of Mr Lyons 67th Birthday. No harmonies this time, sadly, but I think we sounded prettty fab.

They are due to return to the centre at 12:00 and we hope to be away by 13:00, following our sandwiches. It all gets a bit manic at that time so it may be that there won't be another blog after this one, until we return home that is. Traffic permitting, we hope to be back at school at around 16:00.

That's all for now - check back later tonight for a couple more photos. Speaking of photos, we hope to give each boy a CD of all of the photos taken during the three days. Keep a look-out in your son's homework folder for the next couple of weeks.

Thanks for reading and thanks for your feedback. We haven't passed messages on to the boys to avoid any homesickness - sorry about that - but we didn't have any homesickness so it obviously worked. See you later!

Friday 23rd Septeember - 07:45

We are up - a good night's sleep for all. Too busy stripping beds to be chattering on here...more later! (the weather looks like it could be OK today)

Thursday 22nd September - 22:45

It has been a busy night. After the advertisement activity finished we started the unpleasant task of trying to match up property in the drying room with its respective owners. That was a tough task and we have failed in a lot of instances so far. They don't seem to have grasped the fact thet rolled up sweat shirts don't dry when thrown on the floor - that could be a possible lesson for the future but we'll leave that with you, dear parents.

The lads are now in bed and all is just about quiet - what a difference a day makes. They have (sort of) packed their bags and have (sort of) had a wash before they went to bed. They are (sort of) sleeping and we hope that they (sort of) sleep until 7 in the morning.

We have to clear our rooms out tomorrow, stripping beds and getting their bags ready to return home. They still have activities at 08:45 and they will return to the house at 12. After lunch we'll be on our way - and there will be a lot of wet clothing on its way. However, before we leave we'll be having the special edition of ‘Newlands Clothing Bingo' where we try to match owners to their belongs...oh what fun!

We wish you all a good night and hope that you'll have a read of our blog in the morning!!

Thursday 22nd September - 19:45

Mr Lyon writes...Well it's a hive of activity at the mo. The boys are busily working on adverts about exciting products, such as portable toilets, to perform infront of each other shortly. The noise level is reaching a crescendo, but it is a pleasure to hear them enjoying each other's company so much.

Dinner was a roaring success, thanks to the delicious lentil soup (some boys had more than two bowls full) shepherd's pies with copious amounts of fresh vegetables (carrots, peas and sweetcorn) and a lovely dessert of chocolate or strawberry mousse

The lads will be finishing their activity soon and then will be entering the dragon's den, otherwise known as the drying room, to attempt to retrieve their grubby belongings. All of the staff are really looking forward to this event - not!!

After that, the boys will be packing their bags, ready for the journey home tomorrow. Strangely, the bags weigh twice as much as they did when the boys arrived and there is a strange aroma emanating from within. Probably half of the ghyll will be brought home with them too!

We are hoping that the tired little dears will hit the sack a little earlier tonight, as the teachers have run out of matchsticks to keep their eyes open after the events of last night. We also hope that they might lie in a bit later than 5:30 tomorrow morning, as Mrs Davies is in dire need of a good beauty sleep (a week would be better).

Thursday 22nd September - 17:20

The weather has been great today - not exactly cracking the flags but not raining either. The lads went toddling off after lunch - rotating through the activities - and have just arrived back. Messrs Y and L went up to have a look at the ghyll scramblers and took some quite nice photos.

As we speak the showers are running (although if they are as cold as they were this morning I'll be giving them a miss!) and we should have some fragrant boys joining us for dinner.

There is an activity planned for after dinner so I am sure that they will be looking forward to that, although it has to be said that a good few of them are looking somewhat jaded following the night they had last night. We are hopeful of a very quiet night tonight...we'll keep you posted.

(we are doing our best to get as many pictures of the boys on the website but, if we miss your son off...sorry! We are doing our best to get as many snaps as we can. It is just that some of your sons are just too plain ugly).

Thursday 22nd Septemer 12.55

Mr Y writes...We are well into routines now and should have lads well trained, just as it is time to go home. They know that the ghyll is COLD and you need to wear lots of clothes before getting in it. Some are even learning that a cotton t shirt is not what to have next to skin as it makes you feel colder when wet. So they have to strip off their 20 layers and put on a fleece underneath it all. Net result is a group of miniature michelin men waddling up the hill to the ghyll.

This little venture is not without its difficulties. Some boys are missing their valet, but bearing up amazingly well. Mr W reports that following a visit here last week by Manchester Uni freshers Geog department, the bar is worryingly short of enough beer to keep him happy.

And so once more into the breach, dear friends. It is time to don the squishy old trainers and head off to new adventures.

Thursday 22nd September - 12:30

busy busy busy. The boys have just arrived back from their activities. We managed to get around to the Kayakeers, canoeists and the climbers, all of whom seemed to be having a ball. We popped in to Keswick for the traditional pasty hunt, accompanied by Valente and his broken arm. We did our best to persuade him to join the pasty club but he was having none of it!

Mrs Davies has been wandering around talking to random dogs, encouraged by Valente for some reason.

We have had some more entries in the poetry challenge (Daniel C C's granddad needs to get out more!) and if we get a chaance we'll publish some of them later. Mr Y has promised to wander up to the ghyll later so there should be some action photos later.

Photos ...There will be more appearing over the next couple of hours so keep checking all over the blog.

Thursday 22nd September 07:30

They are up - actually they have been awake for hours - do these lads ever sleep? Everyone did get some sleep but there will be some tired boys this morning. Anyway, they were treated to the middle section of Bohemian Rhapsody, beutifully sung if I don't say so myself. I found the four part harmonies a bit of a challenge... At the moment they are cleaning teeth and washing faces, so they say....whatever!

Breakfast is at 08:00 and activities start at 08:45. I have some photos to go on here but it is taking an age....bear with me!!

Thursday 2nd September - 00:10

It is turning out to be a long night as some boys are a little resistant to going to sleep at a respectaable hour. Mrs Davies really needs her beauty sleep (actually, so do Messrs Lyon and Youngson) but I hope that it calms down a bit soon - we have to be up again at 07:00ish!!

We had a pyjama competition - the worst pyjaamas were Patrick Halpin's (truly dreadful) with the best being Will Atlay's very stylish haute couture pjs. Photos will follow....but not now. It's time for bed. Who ever said that school trips are restful? FOOLS!!

dreadful pjs! Well done...

Best Pjs...very haute couture

Wednesday 21st September - 21:00

We have had a great poem from William Thompson's dad - very impressive.

No sadness here but the silence is eerie,
You've taken away our little 'dearie',
Like others too, we are feeling fine,
wonder if it's to do with that 'other' bottle of wine!
It seems that you are all on a roll,
as for us for once, wWE'VE got the TV control!
No baby elephants inhabit the stair,
No thundering sounds to fill the air.
Thank you for looking after our little darlings,
We're sure by now you've hit the Carlings!
We're sure the boys will 'entertain' you tonight,
so it is only right that the Staff sleep 'tight'! (some chance!!! - PW)

Wednesday 21st September - 20:30

The boys are now finishing their scavenger hunt in teams which involves collecting all kinds of items from the site eg nail varnish???? beech leaves, a footprint, sheep's wool, 4 types of sweet (no problem there- think this one was put in to provide instructors with some well-deserved treats). Then we have the dreaded room inspection followed by bedtime story and songs from the shows performed by Mrs D accompanied by Mr L on harmonica and Mr Y on comb and paper. Mr W has gone for a lie down as he has injured his typing finger. Before dinner the lads ran off some steam with a game of footie on the field or threw sticks for the dog. The staff are all hoping that all this running about will result in a peaceful night.

The noise of the boys searching for various items reminds us of a herd of elephants attempting to muster at a delicious watering hole. Speaking of elephants, Mr Wardle has rejoined us after his self-imposed sick leave. The boys have just finished their activity and we will be dishing out your hard earned money, which they will pour into the vending machines, the pool table and the football machine.

Wednesday 21st September - 19:15

Well, that was a nice tea. We started off with an orange-coloured soup that was utterly delicious - unsure if it was tomato or tikka with green bits in - but it was devoured. Next was a choice of ham and pineapple pizza or pepper and pineapple pizza, served with chunky chips and a crisp salad. This was followed by a tasty chocolate sponge and custard, (I know I go on about food a lot, Mrs Thomas, but it is such an important part of my life...can't you tell??!!).

The lads have now cleared their tables and are getting ready for this evening's activity - at this point in time I'm unsure what that activity is as I am in the staff room, tapping away this weblog. However, I am sure that Gnashers Davies will let me know soon.

Here's a question for you - one which has been pondered over for a couple of years: Does Mrs Davies put her teeth in a glass by the side of her bed each night or are they all real?? Please let us know your opinion be emailing, using the link either above or below, and we will give you the feedback later in the trip. (I was going to ask you to vote on My Lyon's bald patch expanding even further but he is bigger than me so won't!!)

We are having a few technology problems getting photos on here so please bear with us...that's rubbish computers for you!

Wednesday 212st September - 17.20

Thank you for your emails...much appreciated.
How good is this? We have had a poem from Daniel Couton Christie's granddad. Can you do better? Email your efforts and we'll consider publishing them...if they are good enough! Will you rise to the challenge???

All the teachers must be mad,
as for us we're simply sad!
You lot take away our boys,
in our house there is no noise!
It's sinking in,we're feeling fine,
we think we'll have a splendid time!
No homework tonight and a nice lie in,
we might even attack the bottle of gin!!

Wednesday 21st september - 17:00

The boys are arriving back and they are full of the adventures that they have had so far. The drying room is getting full already as the ghyll scramblers and kayakers have got just a little wet.

We managed to get around the ropes course and the kayakers. They looked they were having a good time and the shrieks of laughter from the middle of Derwentwater could be heard for miles.

The weather has improved quite as lot and there was enough blue sky to make a sailor's shirt at one stage (as my anna would have said.That certainly beats the dreadful rain that we had earlier.

As I type, the warm showers are going. I know...a miracle!! But...is there soap in use? We'll never know!!

Wednesday 21st September - 13:30

We have arrived! Sadly so has the rain which is currently blowing horizontally across the gardens of Newlands.

We had a good journey up - Mr Youngson drove the minibus, accompanied by Mrs Davies and 10 boys, Mr Lyon and I were chauffered up with the other 44 boys...a noisy affair (and that was just Mrs Davies who insisted on singing all of the way up - she's like that).

No casualties so far - we stopped off at Tebay but it was too wet to throw any of the boys into the lake so, thanks to the lovely Mrs Clarke at Tebay Services, we were allowed to take all of the boys into the restaurant to eat their packed lunches. We like Tebay Services even more now....particularly Mrs Clarke (who may just read this - well she promised that she would anyway).

We arrived at Newlands at about 12:30 and, after the rooms had been allocated, went down to the sitting room for a talk from Rik, the Centre manager.

Activities have now started....ghyll scrambling, kayaking and high ropes course are all happening as we speak - we don't wait around up here. The boys are due back about 17:00 and tea is at 18:00 - pizza, it seems...can't wait.

We will try to get some photos on here in a bit so bear with us.....

Tuesday 20th September - 21:00

I'm sitting here in Wardle Towers, trying to motivate myself to pack some things for the trip. I've just had a look at the weather forecast for Keswick, the nearest place that I could find to Newlands, and it looks a little mixed. The forecast for tomorrow is for heavy rain showers, with light showers predicted for Thursday. I think I may leave my mankini at home this year then...not really the weather for it methinks. As luck would have it, the forecast looks nice for when we are due to leave...perhaps we can wangle a weekend there too! (I'm sure that you would miss the boys too much - we wouldn't deprive you of them for any longer than planned).

We are hoping to set off shortly after 09:00 and we will have our customary toilet break by the lake at Tebay (not actually BY the lake but you know what I mean). We hope to devour our sumptuous packed lunches there too - I hope someone has some Marmite ones for me to sample!

Newlands is a fabulous place and I know that they will have such a good time. It will be great to watch them trying so many different activities that will challenge them, both physically and mentally.

Please keep reading the blog and let us know what you think. We can't promise to pass all messages on (it can unsettle the boys so please allow us to make a judgement on that one) and we can't promise to reply to all messages...but we'll do what we can.

Enjoy the peace and quiet!

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The (in)famous Newlands Blog 2011

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