Friday 10 May 2013
Thursday 11 October 2012
London Loop Leg 3 - Petts Wood to Hayes
After completing Leg 1 and 2 of the London Loop for last years walks, Mr. Wilson decided that as we need to complete a walk for Unit 35 we should do leg 3 which had mixed reviews from the class.
So on the morning we all gathered in Arden room AR105 for registration before we set of for Falconwood Station for the 9:16 southeastern service to Petts Wood with a change at Lewisham.
When we got to Petts Wood and had left the station Karl was elected as the first leader for the first few kilometeres. On this expedition we were making sure that everybody has a turn at leading the group.
The route consisted of walking through estates, on busy roads and dirty tracks that led to us holding on to trees to make way for passing horses. Luckily the weather had held out for us which allowed us to bask in the sunshine, which was a nice change from the last walk as all it did was rain and I broke my umbrella.
Shortly after the group had to make a pit stop at what used to be a huge house before it had burned down, this was so some could use the facilities and some could sit down and rest their already tired legs.
Then as I expected it came to my turn to lead the group...
After getting a short breifing by Mr. Wilson it was my turn to lead the group for the next few Kilometeres and on that route we found something intresting (well, Mr. Wilson found it intresting we saw it as another excuse to sit down) but we saw a bench that was dedicated to William Wilberforce, who was a man that helped to abolish slavery in Britain.
Then shortly after we saw the bench we reached Keston common and the time had hit 12:30 and as I was the leader I thought this was the perfect place for us to have some lunch. Whilst eating lunch we saw Connor acting weird and pretending to be a super hero and also as a group effort we all decided to see if we could carry Christie, to Mr. Wilson's amuesment.
The route was going so well until we found my final checkpoint and I handed the map over to Jamie this is where it all went pear shaped... Jamie who had better map reading than myself decided that Karl would be the best person to get information from WHICH LED TO US GETTING LOST!!!!!
This wasted valuable time for us as we were still on a tight schedule so this is something we really didn't need. As this was the final part of our route we had to rush to Hayes and thanks to some quick thinking we were able to take a short cut which had been located on the map. But this short cut didn't go without hiccups. For example as we were approaching Hayes station a school nearby must've finished early which led to Christie waling past them and screaming which led to them shaking in their boots.
But this wasn't the only time because a few minutes later more people from the same school approached and Christie did the same but these kids had a bit more backbone and gave some expletive words that I can't really write...
Finally, we arrived at Hayes Station to board the 13:50 train which would take us back to Falconwood (with a change at Lewisham) but to pass the time the whole group decided to belt out 'Ain't Nobody' by Chaka Khan to Mr. Wilson dismay and embarrasment.
The we finally arrived at Falconwood and that was the end of the current expedition. It had up's and down's and we made it home unscathed.
So on the morning we all gathered in Arden room AR105 for registration before we set of for Falconwood Station for the 9:16 southeastern service to Petts Wood with a change at Lewisham.
When we got to Petts Wood and had left the station Karl was elected as the first leader for the first few kilometeres. On this expedition we were making sure that everybody has a turn at leading the group.
The route consisted of walking through estates, on busy roads and dirty tracks that led to us holding on to trees to make way for passing horses. Luckily the weather had held out for us which allowed us to bask in the sunshine, which was a nice change from the last walk as all it did was rain and I broke my umbrella.
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| Here is the group walking on an open field. |
Then as I expected it came to my turn to lead the group...
 |
| Here I am look as though I can read a map. |
 |
| Here is the elusive William Wilberforce bench |
 |
| I still don't know why we did this! |
This wasted valuable time for us as we were still on a tight schedule so this is something we really didn't need. As this was the final part of our route we had to rush to Hayes and thanks to some quick thinking we were able to take a short cut which had been located on the map. But this short cut didn't go without hiccups. For example as we were approaching Hayes station a school nearby must've finished early which led to Christie waling past them and screaming which led to them shaking in their boots.
But this wasn't the only time because a few minutes later more people from the same school approached and Christie did the same but these kids had a bit more backbone and gave some expletive words that I can't really write...
Finally, we arrived at Hayes Station to board the 13:50 train which would take us back to Falconwood (with a change at Lewisham) but to pass the time the whole group decided to belt out 'Ain't Nobody' by Chaka Khan to Mr. Wilson dismay and embarrasment.
The we finally arrived at Falconwood and that was the end of the current expedition. It had up's and down's and we made it home unscathed.
Wednesday 18 July 2012
Two Day Expedition Saxon Shore Way 4/5 July 2012
On these 2 dates, class 12 A and Billy went on a 2 day expedition as part of a four week project that had been assigned by the school.
I did not go on this expedition due to a medical condition which could be worked around on future expeditions.
But I did take part on the majority of the planning which was on the run up to the expedition, this included putting up a tent, setting up a portable stove and gas canister as well as a pre expedition expedition with weight.
When the class set out on the expedition via mini bus they soon encountered their first problem which was a member of the group had turned up late, which led to Mr. Toomey to swing the mini bus around in order to collect the latecomer.
When they finally got to the starting point of the expedition which would take them up to Homing Park campsite. This part of the expedition was a 9K walk which going by the average walking speed of 3Km/h would take them at least 3 hrs to complete. When they arrived at the campsite, the first thing on the agenda was to set up the tents, which going by the practice set up must've been a sight for sore eyes. Once they put up the tents the group then dispersed in order to do other things such as; showering or cooking some food.
For the majority of the night the group spent their time in either Whitstable town centre or the clubhouse located at the campsite, this led to much alcohol being drunk. This was the last even that happened beofre the group turned in for the night.
The next morning, Mr. Wilson woke the group up at approximately 7.30 so people had enough time to get dressed, wash, have some breakfast and pack up the tents. This then led to the second leg of the expedition where they would rendez-vous with the school mini bus which would then take the now tired group back to school.
This expedition was not only a test for their endurance levels but also an educational expedition as they learnt about the historical side of Whitstable and Faversham by seeking the remains from WWI and WWII. Which had enlightened some of the group.
There was some good news for the group and which was when this expedition took place, they had 2 days of sun and only a little bit of rain that happened overnight
Things that i could develop on for future 2 day expeditions could be;
1) To actually go on the expedition
2) Get clearance from the hospital to take part
3) find a alternative way of taking part, this will then help me not to miss out in the future.
4) ensure i have all the equipment that will enable me to take part on the expedition
I did not go on this expedition due to a medical condition which could be worked around on future expeditions.
But I did take part on the majority of the planning which was on the run up to the expedition, this included putting up a tent, setting up a portable stove and gas canister as well as a pre expedition expedition with weight.
When the class set out on the expedition via mini bus they soon encountered their first problem which was a member of the group had turned up late, which led to Mr. Toomey to swing the mini bus around in order to collect the latecomer.
When they finally got to the starting point of the expedition which would take them up to Homing Park campsite. This part of the expedition was a 9K walk which going by the average walking speed of 3Km/h would take them at least 3 hrs to complete. When they arrived at the campsite, the first thing on the agenda was to set up the tents, which going by the practice set up must've been a sight for sore eyes. Once they put up the tents the group then dispersed in order to do other things such as; showering or cooking some food.
 |
| After missing all the planning shauns making sure he get all the credit for putting up a tent. |
For the majority of the night the group spent their time in either Whitstable town centre or the clubhouse located at the campsite, this led to much alcohol being drunk. This was the last even that happened beofre the group turned in for the night.
The next morning, Mr. Wilson woke the group up at approximately 7.30 so people had enough time to get dressed, wash, have some breakfast and pack up the tents. This then led to the second leg of the expedition where they would rendez-vous with the school mini bus which would then take the now tired group back to school.
 |
| Here is a Dragon's Tooth which was designed to stop enemy tanks from gaining entry |
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| Yes, Mr. Toomey - It's a gate... |
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| To anybody this just looks like an ordinary playground but really they are WWII air raid shelters that are in disguise... |
There was some good news for the group and which was when this expedition took place, they had 2 days of sun and only a little bit of rain that happened overnight
Things that i could develop on for future 2 day expeditions could be;
1) To actually go on the expedition
2) Get clearance from the hospital to take part
3) find a alternative way of taking part, this will then help me not to miss out in the future.
4) ensure i have all the equipment that will enable me to take part on the expedition
Wednesday 11 July 2012
Pre expedition expedition with weight 28/6/12
On Thursday 28 June 2012, we deicded to go on a short one day expedition from Crown Woods College in Eltham to the Thames barrier in Woolwich.
For this expedition it was a requirement for us to have at least 10kg of weight in our rucksacks, this is so we could be fully prepared for our two day expedition the following week. My bag weighed just over 14kg thanks to the help of BRICKS. :)
After waiting for the last arrivals to turn up with their kit, we set off.
After a breif stop and after Mr. Toomey had taken some pictures we set off once again in to Oxleas Woods where due to David's inability to listen and read a map we got lost, so we ended up going back on ourselves.
But once we retraced our steps we continued through to Woolwich where we saw the Olympic Venues for the shooting and Archery, and after a short walk through Charlton Park and a breif lunch stop we finally arrived at the Thames Barrier, just in time to see the fly past by the last Lancaster Bomber and in the distance we saw a few Tornados which were flying to meet up with the Lancaster where they were en route to Hyde Park for the unveiling of the Bomber Command Memorial.
Just before we were due to go our seperate ways "we" (Mr Toomey) decided it would be a great idea to have a group photo...
Those who chose to go home via train drew the short straw as it has been recorded that Jamie Panter made it home to Eltham via bus just as we were waiting for a DLR to arrive at Greenwich.
For this expedition it was a requirement for us to have at least 10kg of weight in our rucksacks, this is so we could be fully prepared for our two day expedition the following week. My bag weighed just over 14kg thanks to the help of BRICKS. :)
After waiting for the last arrivals to turn up with their kit, we set off.
After a fairly short walk we admired the view from the top of Shooters Hill..... I was mostly admiring the custard creams.
Also at this point certain people in the group were already knackered.
Also at this point certain people in the group were already knackered.
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| Mr. Wilson looking proud of himself!!!!!! Custard Creams in the bottom right hand corner. |
After a breif stop and after Mr. Toomey had taken some pictures we set off once again in to Oxleas Woods where due to David's inability to listen and read a map we got lost, so we ended up going back on ourselves.
But once we retraced our steps we continued through to Woolwich where we saw the Olympic Venues for the shooting and Archery, and after a short walk through Charlton Park and a breif lunch stop we finally arrived at the Thames Barrier, just in time to see the fly past by the last Lancaster Bomber and in the distance we saw a few Tornados which were flying to meet up with the Lancaster where they were en route to Hyde Park for the unveiling of the Bomber Command Memorial.
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| A Great view of the last remaining Lancaster Bomber, which we were just in time to see. |
Just before we were due to go our seperate ways "we" (Mr Toomey) decided it would be a great idea to have a group photo...
 |
| The members of the group: (L-R) Jamie, Shaun, Karl, David, Me, Mr Wilson. Bottom row: Connor Mr. Wilson should feel honoured standing next to one of God's great creations. |
Overall on this Pre - Expedition Expedition, I have discovered many things For example;
1) whining will get you nowhere
2) The Thames Barrier is not in Oxford Street (which apparently I thought it was)
3) I need to measure my bag appropriately incase it is too heavy and too light
4) Find a substitute for bricks
5) Take a lot more food and plenty to drink in case the weather suprises us
6) I need to take control and lead with the map, rather than taking a back seat
7) Whisling tunes can help the group through the worst but playing songs from 'Family Guy' just gets annoying.
BREAKING NEWS: CWC BLOG HAS LANDED
We have a blog!!!!
hi, whoever views this blog...This blog has been created so I am able to date and record all of the expeditions over a two year Public Service course. This will not only send enjoyment staright to you but it will also give me the evidence I need to pass the course.
:)
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