B’s Buzzing in the Forest
The Gloucester Primary Schools’ B Squad began their season’s adventures with a trip to the Forest of Dean.
As most stood scattered around the Longlevens car park next to their parents, it was not immediately apparent who was more nervous about the day’s activities, the boys or the parents. With kisses planted and goodbyes exchanged, the boys headed for the mini-bus, Arrowsmith immediately making a play for chief cheerleader by launching into song if not into tune. The others followed suit and the team were as one less than ten metres beyond the Longlevens gates.
The excited chatter quietened as the safety instructions and clothing were dispatched for the descent into Clearwell Caves. Even Easterbrook went silent, a moment that Coach Wixey noted would probably never be repeated this season.
A few words of assurance for some of the more nervous meant that a full complement headed for the caves. A strange take on queue jumping materialised as the entrance to the caves was viewed, with the back of the line suddenly becoming the most popular position. This gathered pace as the spiders were spotted and Flatt was declared winner of the reverse-queue-jumping competition.
Once down the mines and the man-eating spiders successfully passed, Guide John was subjected to 73 different questions about Vampire Bats, ghosts, flooding and numerous ways of meeting some impending doom. When all were answered satisfactorily, the first challenge of the Corkscrew awaited. The fearless Harding, Cooper, Lock and Fieldhouse followed Guide John, the others re-ignited the reverse queue-jumping game, Irvine coming out on top this time. Campbell, meanwhile, just kept repeating the phrase, ‘Oh my days,’ over and over again.
The Rabbit Hole was scurried through without issue, though Flatt was disappointed he was not able to remain on his feet the whole way through. The group was now growing in confidence until talk turned to the fabled Mouse Hole; ‘Oh my days,’ remarked Campbell. When the Mouse Hole eventually came into view there were many sharp intakes of breath and ‘Oh my days’ went into overdrive.
The brave Lock forced his way to the front and declared that he was going first, diving straight into the tiny hole and scrambling along the tunnel, closely followed by Harding, Cooper and the rest. Irvine showed his mettle by overcoming his fears and completing the challenge, despite the smattering of damp forming in each of his eyes. ‘Oh my days’ Campbell just had to be different and went through with no shoes on, the first falling off as he entered the hole and the other half way along. Cornwell thus became the first person ever to complete the challenge with four shoes, as he was following the bare-footed Campbell.
Coach Wixey was pleased that his last minute diet meant that he was again able to squeeze through… but only just. With everyone now in good spirits, the return to the surface was quick and even the man-eating spiders were just brushed aside. Thoughts immediately turned to food, with numerous requests for packed lunch eating time.
With Symonds Yat now behind, stomachs full and challenges conquered, the group embarked on a cycle ride through the Forest, Harding having to work harder than most as his machine was stuck in low gear. The brave Lock showed he is also a great team player by volunteering to ride Harding’s bike on the way back, while ‘Oh my days’ fell off, but strangely failed to say anything memorable.
Cricket revealed that quite a few over-estimated their abilities, so much so that after a few overs coach Owen changed the rules so that anybody who bowled two legitimate balls got another go. Irvine was the pick of the bowlers; Flatt, Cornwell and Taylor weren’t. Campbell took the batting honours. After constant identity mix-ups by coaches Basford and Delaney, Cooper and Taylor were re-christened Twin 1 and Twin 2.
The group swapped stories of their day with their new-found friends during the return journey to Longlevens, all a little tired, but certainly more of a team than when they had left earlier in the day.
A great start to the season.
As most stood scattered around the Longlevens car park next to their parents, it was not immediately apparent who was more nervous about the day’s activities, the boys or the parents. With kisses planted and goodbyes exchanged, the boys headed for the mini-bus, Arrowsmith immediately making a play for chief cheerleader by launching into song if not into tune. The others followed suit and the team were as one less than ten metres beyond the Longlevens gates.
The excited chatter quietened as the safety instructions and clothing were dispatched for the descent into Clearwell Caves. Even Easterbrook went silent, a moment that Coach Wixey noted would probably never be repeated this season.
A few words of assurance for some of the more nervous meant that a full complement headed for the caves. A strange take on queue jumping materialised as the entrance to the caves was viewed, with the back of the line suddenly becoming the most popular position. This gathered pace as the spiders were spotted and Flatt was declared winner of the reverse-queue-jumping competition.
Once down the mines and the man-eating spiders successfully passed, Guide John was subjected to 73 different questions about Vampire Bats, ghosts, flooding and numerous ways of meeting some impending doom. When all were answered satisfactorily, the first challenge of the Corkscrew awaited. The fearless Harding, Cooper, Lock and Fieldhouse followed Guide John, the others re-ignited the reverse queue-jumping game, Irvine coming out on top this time. Campbell, meanwhile, just kept repeating the phrase, ‘Oh my days,’ over and over again.
The Rabbit Hole was scurried through without issue, though Flatt was disappointed he was not able to remain on his feet the whole way through. The group was now growing in confidence until talk turned to the fabled Mouse Hole; ‘Oh my days,’ remarked Campbell. When the Mouse Hole eventually came into view there were many sharp intakes of breath and ‘Oh my days’ went into overdrive.
The brave Lock forced his way to the front and declared that he was going first, diving straight into the tiny hole and scrambling along the tunnel, closely followed by Harding, Cooper and the rest. Irvine showed his mettle by overcoming his fears and completing the challenge, despite the smattering of damp forming in each of his eyes. ‘Oh my days’ Campbell just had to be different and went through with no shoes on, the first falling off as he entered the hole and the other half way along. Cornwell thus became the first person ever to complete the challenge with four shoes, as he was following the bare-footed Campbell.
Coach Wixey was pleased that his last minute diet meant that he was again able to squeeze through… but only just. With everyone now in good spirits, the return to the surface was quick and even the man-eating spiders were just brushed aside. Thoughts immediately turned to food, with numerous requests for packed lunch eating time.
With Symonds Yat now behind, stomachs full and challenges conquered, the group embarked on a cycle ride through the Forest, Harding having to work harder than most as his machine was stuck in low gear. The brave Lock showed he is also a great team player by volunteering to ride Harding’s bike on the way back, while ‘Oh my days’ fell off, but strangely failed to say anything memorable.
Cricket revealed that quite a few over-estimated their abilities, so much so that after a few overs coach Owen changed the rules so that anybody who bowled two legitimate balls got another go. Irvine was the pick of the bowlers; Flatt, Cornwell and Taylor weren’t. Campbell took the batting honours. After constant identity mix-ups by coaches Basford and Delaney, Cooper and Taylor were re-christened Twin 1 and Twin 2.
The group swapped stories of their day with their new-found friends during the return journey to Longlevens, all a little tired, but certainly more of a team than when they had left earlier in the day.
A great start to the season.
