Well then what a busy May we've had. From birthday parties, to helping bring in the silage on the farm, we have not really stopped, but we wouldn't have it any other way.
We started the month with finishing off our bush craft area. The fence was filled, log store built and parachute hung from the canopy. Bush craft has been a long time getting ready but after a couple of months hard work we are ready to run sessions. We had great fun practising all the different fire lighting techniques, building shelters, and bread making. With the area complete and techniques getting better we employed another willing volunteer to build us our frame for cooking on, and we must say he did a brilliant job.
With addition of 3 new activities to this year (Bush craft, Abseiling, and Tree Climb) we've had a very busy time in the office setting up the paperwork behind them all with risk assessments and session plans needed for all. But with those bits ticked off the to do list we have had our first abseil session this month with Kingsley and Norley Guides having the honour of being the first group booked on. A great time was had by all and a few fears conquered.
We also had our first Bush craft sessions booked in for the end of the month with CHAPS (Cheshire Autism Practical Support) who do amazing work with all the young people that come to them for support. So we decided we needed some guinea pigs to trial our new sessions on. We invited Crowton School along with their years 5&6 to come and have a go at our new activities and saw it as a great opportunity to get some professional pictures taken at the same time. We got hold of a young, talented photographer called Josie Owen, and are excited to see the results.
Working with CHAPS is always a rewarding and fun day and this time round was no exception! With Bush craft and raft building on the cards with 2 groups, one in the morning and one in the afternoon we had a busy day ahead. With some excellent fire lighting and shelter building skills demonstrated by all who took part, the raft building is always great fun and always a struggle to get a select few out of the water. But after an action packed day, everyone left with smiles on their faces and we look forward to seeing them again.
Away from Round Ponds we've had a busy time of it as well. For those in the know, Silage time is a very busy few days in the farming calendar and I got my first experience of ferrying with a tractor and trailer. To say i was a bit nervous on my first run was a bit of an understatement but I managed to be more of a help than a hindrance and enjoyed the experience.
So that brings us to the end of another month of adventures, with us looking forward to a great June. It's starting with a trip up to Scotland for the UCI Downhill MTB World Cup in Fort William and a short but we hope sweet trip up he west coast! Fingers crossed for the sunshine!
So it's a goodbye from us until next month, hope you all have some great adventures and we will update you on ours again soon. Oh and I nearly forgot we've had ducklings, It's been fun watching them grow.
