10A Day 4 at Bendrigg with Canoeing on Ice 2025

Day 4 at Bendrigg and Canoeing on ICE!!!!

Again, our day started at 7.30 and we awoke to a very frosty morning.

The learners started their day with a choice of cereal and toast, followed by bacon, hash browns and tomatoes.

After another delicious breakfast it was time to layer up and waterproof up for a day on the canal, canoeing.

We all got into the mini bus and drove for about 45 minutes until we got to the canal. First thing 10A had to do was to help get the canoes ready. 10A followed instructions from Simon and Claire, our course leaders for the day and they gave them step by step guidance in putting the canoes into pairs with wood poles and straps to raft them together.

When the canoe was ready it was time to put on our buoyancy aids and collect our paddles. When this was done, it was time to get into our teams and get ourselves into the canoes. We had Miss Hendy and Mrs Wells in the first canoe with Holly, Ruby, Isobel and Jaden and in second canoe there was Mr Flavell, Ms Carter with Harvey, Oliver, Ethan and Jake. We all started off ok but then we came into a little bit of difficulty. ICE!

As it was a very cold morning, the water on the canal had iced over and in some parts the ice had to be broken up with the paddles and it was a good 2cm thick in places! But that didn’t stop us. We worked well as a team. It was hard work but we didn’t give up. We paddled for about an hour, battling through the ice until it was time to stop for our dinner. Dinner consisted of sandwiches, crisps, cookies and a drink. After our well deserved food and rest it was time to head back to where we started. As the ice had been broken up by us before, it was a lot easier going back and we took in the lovely wild life and views of the canal.

When we got back to Bendrigg, it was time to de-layer and get ready for our tea which was roast beef, roast potatoes with vegetables, followed by rice pudding. Delicious!!

Our final activity of the night and the week was a good old camp fire. We all got wrapped up warm and went outside. Jenny from Bendrigg had set up a lovely camp fire with seats and blankets for us. We made ourselves comfortable and used the blankets to keep warm. The glow of the fire warmed our faces. The toasted marshmallows helped us to forget about the cold air too.

What a lovely way to end our Bendrigg activities.

Before 10A went for their showers the tuck shop opened for the learners to get themselves a keepsake of their time here.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank the children for being so amazing over the week and trying everything, and some of them facing and conquering their fears.

Plus a massive thank you to the Bendrigg staff, especially Jenny, Jenny, Simon, Claire, Sarah and Rex for leading the activities and the kitchen staff for your delicious meals. You have made our learners and staff feel so welcome here and you all went that extra mile to give us a fantastic experience.