Wednesday 17 June 2015

Final Thoughts

Hello everyone, here is our last post.  We are now back at home/school and have recently put some final thoughts down on paper about our week away...  

Lagganlia is fun and gets some kids active as well as tired.

At Lagganlia, I had great fun at some points some of the activities were a bit hard, tricky, edgy and daring but I enjoyed it anyway.

I really enjoyed it and I learnt a lot about nature/animals on the hill walk.

I really enjoyed Lagganlia because it was like having a big holiday with my year and the activities were awesome.

It has been a great trip where I have learned lots about myself and there was lots of amazing moments I’ll never forget.

I really enjoyed it because I got to do lots of different things that I have never done before.

Lagganlia was extra-ordinary, the best trip ever.

The best part of Lagganlia was all the activities and spending time with other people from other classes.  It was really sad leaving but I was happy to get back and see my cat, dog and family.

Lagganlia is a chance you can’t miss.  You have so much fun and you get to know more people. It also teaches you helpful things you can use in the future.

I learned how to cooperate more and work as a team. I found the hill climb really tricky but I enjoyed it at the same time.

My favourite activity was kayaking because I did not fall into the cold water and it was fun.

The trip to Lagganlia was fun and I learned a lot of things from our instructor when we were in biking and my chain broke.  In kayaking, I was called the Beast of the Pond!

The hardest activity was probably the mountain biking when we had to try and do Andy’s Challenge and cycle up the really big and steep slope because your legs would get really sore and tired.

The highlight of Wednesday was going on the tree climb.  I was shaking all the way up but managed to ring the bell at the top.  When I reached the top, I hugged the tree.

In Lagganlia, I had so much fun and all the instructors were very nice.  We fell over a lot and collapsed a ton.  I hope I can go back some day.  I also hope the instructors and teachers had as much fun as I did.  After Lagganlia, I feel more confident and more individual.

Wonderful last thoughts everyone!  A huge thank you needs to be said to all the adults (Mrs Smith, Mrs Miller, Mrs Gray, Mrs Dufort, Mr Macnaughton, Mr McKinnon and Mrs Cairns) who worked exceptionally hard that week and in the time leading up to our week away.  We enjoyed it as well! 
 

Tuesday 9 June 2015

Friday

                          
On Friday morning we all got up and took the bed sheets off our beds and took them downstairs and put them in the right baskets. We then had breakfast and made our lunches. We made sure to pack EVERYTHING. Once we packed everything we went outside until the bus finally arrived. Then it was time to leave Lagganlia and it was really sad and I’m glad that I didn’t put my luggage on the wrong bus like before. When we got on the bus it was about forty minutes till we got to the cinema. We didn’t have time to watch a film on the bus before the cinema so we were singing. We all started singing ‘Let It Go’ and Mr MacKinnon said if there was any more Frozen songs we were walking home. The bus dropped us off at the cinema and we got to watch Avengers 2! Which everyone enjoyed. It was really good sitting in a chair with popcorn and a drink. After the movie we got on the bus and watched the Lego Movie and Despicable Me 2. I slept half way through the movie. Then we stopped in Golspie for late lunch around 3 o’clock. Once we set off again we had the radio on. At around half 5 we got to Scrabster. We out our bags away and got our tickets and waited for the boat for 45minutes. When we finally got on the boat we had our tea and waited until everyone was done to get seconds. A lot of people were sick on the boat. It was a bit rough on the way back but we managed it just. After a while we went outside because we were interested when the boat was bumpy. I taught my friends a dance I learned from my cousin and Mrs Dufort joined in and it was fun! After 1 hour and 55 minutes we were finally home and got collected by our parents.

 

Review Night 2015

Review Night 2015

Our final night together is always lots of fun as the groups independently come up with a play/song or other creative way of presenting and sharing their week's highlights with each other.  This is always very memorable.  Well done everyone!









Thursday 21 May 2015

Thursday


 
Day 4 - Thursday 21st March
Group 1
Today group 1 had breakfast, we had toast, cereal and bacon rolls. The bacon was so nice it tasted of creamy heaven. We had coffee and tea and orange juice. After that we got ready for gorge walking. We got our waterproofs on and woolly bears and our bog boots and got into the mini bus. It was so wet the grey seats were black. We had to walk for a little bit and we were very hot and tired when we got to the gorge. We walked in the gorge and it was cold. Our boots got instantly full of water. The first slide we did was pretty slow, but we got pretty wet. The second slide was fast but dry, then we got to the giant pool and everyone jumped. It was as deep as Megan. Then we got to the mini waterfall and we got a picture taken. Then a long walk back to the mini bus in drenched in water. Then we got back and had lunch, freshened yup and got ready for the climbing tree. Only 6 people got to the top (Lao, John, Evie, Ella, Freya and Mrs Smith). Once the tree climbing was done we did an eco game. The first one we did was that we were given an egg box with 2 contrasts written in the lid. We had to find 3 things that match each of the contrasts and the other groups had to guess our contrasts. Then the last thing we did was the loop challenge. We had to put the loop over everyone. We had to do this before 16 seconds but we got 18 seconds. And that concludes Thursday’s activities.
Morgan and Lao

 
 
Group 2
Today are group are doing hill walk and tree climbing. At first we went on a hill walk for 4 hours. And when we were walking up the hill every one was really far up but Kieran was really far down the hill but he did not give up and he cot up with the group and made it up the hill. After everyone was back in a group we finished climbing up the hill. Then we walked back down the hill we went back to Lagganlia and took a rest then we got ready for tree climb. As we walked to the tree climb we found out it was a different tree than we thought it was. Almost everyone almost made it to the top and we all tried are hardest. After the pupils went Mrs Miller went at a very fast pace up a tree as tall as the school lunch hall. After that we got ready for tea we had pizza or fish.
Kieran and Cameron
 


Group 3
Today our group went out on an adventure we went to the mountains called Greag Leathan and Greag hiuthfachan, on the way up the hill me and Paula fell on me. About 10mins later we stopped and Keira stopped for like 20mins and everyone went away and we got lost but we found them. When we got half way up the hill we had a 2mins silence and hot chocolate or hot juice. After a yummy lunch we used flint and made pine needle and apple tea with the Kelly kettle. Then we started to climb down the hill and found a baby deer. It was asleep but we checked and it was a girl so we called her Ruby we had to leave her but it was good anyway.
Ruth, Paula and Rebbeka
 


Group 4
Today started off with the usual breakfast consisting of toast, cereal, orange juice, tea and coffee and bacon rolls. After our lovely breakfast we all rushed back to our bedrooms to do last minute tidying for our room inspections at 9:15. Thankfully everybody hot high scores. Next we gathered at the library with our instructor Jess to talk about the day ahead. We went to the bike store and lined up (shortest to tallest) to get our bikes. Once we got our bikes we practiced on the Lagganlia grounds then went on to cycle on rougher terrain. The first big hill we went down everyone was really nervous but fortunately nobody fell over. Later on we attempted Andy’s challenge which is a very steep hill that you have to try and cycle up. It looked far easier than it actually was! At Andy’s challenge their was bumps, scrapes and bruises but we all battled our way back to the centre to have a delicious lunch.
 
Later on that day we prepared to go kayaking down at the pond. We headed down to get wet suits, buoyancy aids and paddles from the Watersports store and then we got helmets from the main store. Eventually when everybody was changed we started to head down to the pond – with one person going off the path into a ditch to get a ball that we lost earlier. When we finally got to the pond we found a kayak that fitted our leg size. After Jess pushed our kayaks into the water we paddled around to learn how to control our boats. Unfortunately two certain people were not vey controlled (Jamie and Kirsty) and capsized after only about a little more than a minute after being in the water. Finally when everybody was in their boats we played a game where you had to collect the floating balls from the surface of the water. The next game we played was a game of frisbee in teams. To win the games your team had to make ten consecutive passes without dropping it in the water or having the other team get intercept it.  If that happened, the other team start a new 10.  We were sad to leave but had to get to the centre to get changed out of our cold wetsuits and checked for ticks.  After we were dry and showered we came back for hot chocolate with Jess.  Everybody was really excited about tea tonight as it was pizza or fish (both came with chips and salad).  It was really yummy!  We all enjoyed our tea.  
Kirsty and Emma
 

 
Group 5
TODAY’S TOP 12
What a bunch of human teddy bears
The slide of Chill
Kissing the back of the waterfall for 7 years luck [‘or chance’ says Sheldon}
Holey moley…. Jumping Cannonballs!
Team Lunch…what no napkins???
Moon Boots? No… Snowboarding boots
Slippin’ an’ a Slidin’
Sideways, Backways, Forwardways Anyways Allways… 
Bumpity Bump Crash Bang Wallop.
Finally, the three hard questions…. Hmmmmmm.
Presentation Time… New Sisters……!!!
Certificates. Didn’t we do well. Thanks Sarah.
Hammy and Connor
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Group 6
This morning we woke up at 9:15am we met with Kevin and he told us what we were doing, it was hill climbing. After the chat we got boots and waterproofs from the store. Then we went to the minibus and went to the hill. We got to the top of the hill but on the way there we saw lots of animal tracks, there were red deer, reindeer and grouse poop! We saw some grouse eggs but they were eaten by a predator. On the way back down the hill Kevin slipped on his bottom! Soon we went in the forest and Kevin showed us a wooden hut called Utsi’s hut. We had lunch in the hut and then we learned how to make a fire. So we made a fire and toasted marshmallows and got some chocolate for all our hard work.
Reece, Sam and Ryan
 
 


Group 7
Today’s adventure was Archery. We did Archery for 2 hours. At the start we could not even hit the target at first. After 20 minutes we did a competition, we started at thirty and we had to go down to zero. Steven, Harvey and Alannah won it, but the others were not far behind. We had a brake and then started again. We had another competition we had ten rounds Vinn came first with 17, then Alannah with 16 and then a few others Harvey got 73 and Kristi got 87 then we all cleared up and had lunch. In the afternoon our group “The Yipsters” which stands for Young Independent People went rock climbing, we got of the minny bus and got strapped into our harnesses. We walk to a big rock and TG got the ropes ready, whilst we played Chinese whispers. We got into groups of five and one person would climb and another would be the bell person they pulled the loose rope wiles the others pulled on the rope we all worked as a team.
Harvey and Kristi
 
 


 

Wednesday 20 May 2015

Wednesday



Day 3 - Wednesday 20 May

Group 1

We got up to a very nice sleep. And went to get some breakfast. Then we prepared for a big hill walk. We had to borrow a rucksack and get all our stuff for the climb. When we got to the top we were very happy. After the hill climb we went kayaking. We got in our wet suits and helmets and then down to the loch. When we got in. It took a bit to get used to but we got it eventually. All of us capsized but it was very fun.

John and Greg

 

 

 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
Group 2

Day three and in the morning we went biking, it was really fun. First we went to the obstacle course on bikes. When we got going on the trail we tried new stuff (like tried to stand up on our bike with out moving next we tried to do wheelies). After some time everyone got a bit tired and had a rest. The more we did the roads got muddier and more ruff. When we got closer people got very tired. When we got back everyone was relieved that we were back! The next thing we did was archery and to start off with we got our bow, arrows and stand. Then Annie put us into pairs. Craig and I were in a pair. I went first and failed to hit the boards so did everyone. After a few goes we got better. We all got our own targets and practiced the first person to hit a board was Emma and after that everyone hit their boards. After a couple of minutes we went into a competition and I won the first time and bet Cameron in the final and then Craig bet me in the second competition!

Craig and Andrew

 


 
 
Group 3

It all started with a good breakfast which was a scrambled egg roll, cereal and toast.  Then we went to go kayaking.  Everyone capsized, then we learned hot to turn around, go forward and go backwards.  Everyone got to jump in at the end.  After lunch we went cycling out of Lagganlia.  We went on trails with mud, water and trees.  After about 3 to 4 hours we tried to cycle up ‘Andy’s challenge’ which is to try and cycle up this very steep hill, but no one managed it sadly.  Then we went back to Lagganlia to have tea and then do another activity in the evening.

Luke and Finlay

 

Group 4

Today we went to Mhigeachaildh, it was a challenging in areas. We had waterproof trousers, water proof jackets, water bottle and hats.  At first we drove to a forest trail, then we started walking, then we ate some wood sorrel that tasted like apple skin.  When it got steeper it got a lot harder and we quite often stopped for a break.  Jamie found a weird hut structure.  We had a snack there.  When we started to get up higher there was a lot of rocks.  We had our lunch about three quarters of the way up as some of us needed more fuel.  When we got to the top it was really cold because it was 742m high.  On the way back down it was a lot more fun because we could jump a lot and roll down in places.  When we finally found the trail again, we started acting like Wizard of Oz characters – Jamie (Cowardly lion), Kirsty (Dorothy), Nicol (Tin Man), Finlay (Scarecrow), Jess (Toto), Mrs Dufort (Wicked Witch), Dennis (Wizard), Jean (Hot air balloon), Conal (Good Fairy) and Emma & Freya (audience).  It was a laugh and kept us going.  We got a 5 minute lift as many of the team were experiencing foot issues.  When we got back we had some lovely hot chocolate. 

 


Group 5

TODAY’S TOP 12

 

Mountain hiking

Exhausted

Pyromania

Free Time what Free Time

Big Bang Theory. Where’s Sheldon?

Table reserved for Nine.  A lovely dinner with salt shots.

Bushcraft

When is a twig a stick. When is a stick a branch? When is a branch a tree.

Pour encourager les autres. Tres bon.

Sphagnum moss

Kings and Queens of the Mountain

All fall down

Holly and Jack

 

Group 6

Today we went to canoeing and went to the other island and had lunch on the island.  We saw the osprey, it comes from Africa to Scotland once every year.  After canoeing we got to jump in the loch but not all us did but we all had great fun, most of us got wet.  After we had 20 minutes to get ready to do the tree climb.  At the tree climb it was kind of hard for some of the people, you had to have a good balance and grip.  But everyone had an awesome time.

Donald and Louise.

 

Group 7

Today we had a challenging day ahead of us, we were off to climb a mountain called Corn Ban Mor.  We started at 200 metres about sea level.  We trodded through the forest until we reached the tree line.  Steven, Harvey and Kristie were at the front with Rafael, Alannah, Rebecca and Lennan were in the middle and Thorfinn, Vinn and Mrs Cairns were at the back.  After our torturous journey up the mountain we got to the top and we had our pack lunches.  After a yummy lunch we travelled down the harsh moorland.  When we got to the bottom we had a rest and got the bus home and had another rest.  Rafael said we were THE Team for the challenge.

Vinn, Lennan and Rebekka.

 




 

 
 
 
 
 

Tuesday 19 May 2015

Tuesday - First Full Day


Day 2 - Tuesday 19 March

Group 1
Today our group did Bushcraft and Mountain Biking.  To start of our group leader Zoe talked to us and told us what we were doing that day.  First we went into the woods and went and found twigs.  We made pine and apple tea.  Some people liked it we also made bread of a stick and some peoples burned.  Then on to a mountain bike trip.  We all saw a red squirrel!  It was a very exciting day and its only day 1, John also saw a deer when it ran right in front of him.         Megan and Freya

 



Group 2
Today we did Kayaking and the Gorge Walk.  Everybody capsized apart from 1, we also played 2 ball games and we tried to stand up in them. Then we went for lunch.  After lunch we got our equipment from the water sport store for the gorge walking.  On the way to the gorge walking we got a mini bus and walked on rough grounds to get there.  On the way up we went down some slides and jumped in some puddles.  We all kept on falling and slipping so we helped each other.  At the end we walked back down to get our mini bus.  When we got back we all got out our of our wet stuff and went in the shower and got ready for dinner.      Zara, Emma and Jennifer


 

Group 3
The day started of with a great breakfast after a good nights sleep.  After that we mad our packed lunches for the day.  Then we met Lizzie, our group leader for this week.  We got changed for our first activity which was a Gorge Walk.  It took 10 minutes in the mini bus to get to the gorge.  When we got there we took a path up to the waterfall.  We got to climb up it and at certain points we got to slide down rock slides.  When  we were near the top we got to do a cannon bomb into a deep pool of water, nearly as big as Lizzie.  It was cold at first but Lizzie taught us the birdie dance to stay warm when we were cold.  After we took a different path back to where we started and we took the mini bus back to the centre and got hosed down.  After a yummy lunch and a warm shower Lizzie took us to the ski store where we got our skis and ski boots fitted.  After we had done that we eventually make it to the ski slope.  First we learnt how to put our skis on and how to get back up after a fall.  Then we learnt to walk about in our skis.  Then we learnt to climb small hills leading up to half of the big hill.  Then we learnt the position to go down hills.  After that we used the ski lift to get up half of the hill.  It took a lot of practice to keep your balance.  The last thing we learnt was how to turn, by putting pressure on one of your legs if you put pressure on one leg you will go the opposite way.  After a long day of hard work we settled down for tea.  We had a great first day with Lizzy and hopefully it stays like that for the rest of the week.    Ben and Craig

 



Group 4
Today we went Gorge Walking and met our instructor Jess for the week.  We put on fluffy blue suits and red waterproofs, wellies and a helmet.  We went on a mini bus to the place. We got to the Gorge and started climbing up the waterfall we then come to a place where we could slide down.  It was freezing.  There was an area where we could bomb into the water it was also freezing.  Then we came back and showered and had lunch and then had a meeting in the library and decided we were going to do Tree Climbing.  We had to learn how to put our harnesses on and Jess showed us how to know open and close buckles apart.  Then we pulled the rope through the top hook of the top of our tree.  We then learned how to attach the rope to our harness by creating a snow, putting its scarf on and then its carrot on, this made a figure of 8.  Finlay went first.  It was really scary climbing up the tree but Jess made us go further.  Finlay, Jean, Nicol, Kirsty, Jamie and Mrs. Dufort made it to the top of the tree and rang the bell.  After that we went to the low ropes course and tried all the different areas.  We had to have a spotter in case we fell off into the wooden edge.  We then had tea and got blinded and had to do an obstacle course in our group without seeing a thing!         Jean and Freya

Group 5

TODAY’S TOP 12

                            word pictures to spark a thousand memories
                                                                                Rocky Road

There is no such thing as “I CAN’T”. There is Charys {on a tandem!}

Junctions, Junctions, Junctions…

Broken Chain

Wood  Sorrel

Andy’s challenge…. So close Hamish

The Beast of the Pond

Island salute

Capsize!

‘Never mind ‘Where’s Wally’…where are we?

Awesome teamwork’ (thanks Sarah!)

Yaaaawn. Night Night….. zzzzzzz

                                                                                                                    Ilse and Chris

 

Group 6
Today we met our Leader, Kevin.  We went a cycle.  We went to the cycle park outside our centre.  We had to go over a small plank to be able to go on the seesaw.  In the afternoon we went to the Gorge Walk.  Sam in our group got a cold nose and had to sit out.  We climbed water falls and slid down them.  At the end of the gorge walk we to jump in a really deep pool of water.  On the way back we saw a deer and some red squirrels.  Some of us are having steak pie and some are having vegetable stirfry for tea tonight.         Keira and Lachlan

 

Group 7
In day 1 we had the most fun and horrifying moments of our life.  First we went Gorge Walking, our outfits were very cool, blue fleeces and red wetsuits.  We had to slide and jump and hide in freezing cold water.  In the afternoon we cycled and played in the cycle park.  We did wheelie jumps and landed in muddy puddles.  It was a fun packed day.    Steven and Thorfinn