On the 14th June thirty D of E candidates trundled off to the South Downs for their three-day Silver Expedition. The timing worked out really well with all the candidates having recently completed their GCSEs and looking for a little distraction. In most cases this was to be their assessed trip, but for a few others it was to count as their practice. 

 

The weather proved kind, as a gentle breeze blew in off the English Channel to speed the groups on their way as they headed off over the Seven Sisters from their start point at Beachy Head. At Burling Gap there was a slightly surreal meeting with Paddington, who was manning (bearing?) the finish of a 40-mile sponsored walk going in the opposite direction to us.  Everyone made it into the first night’s camp at Alfriston and set about cooking their evening meal whilst discussing their day. Sleep eventually settled over the tents, only to be rudely shattered by the lowing of excessively hearty cattle bright and early the next morning. 

 

Day two followed a similar pattern, with many miles to be covered and a lot of up-and-down on the chalk slopes of the Downs. Heat proved to be a challenge for some and sore feet for others, so, despite frequent stops for water and plasters, the pace began to slow. However, everyone came into camp more or less on time and set about building a fire around which they sat until heads began to nod.

 

The final day saw a slightly more sedate start and a few creaking joints until eventually all the groups set off to complete their walk up onto Ditchling Beacon. 

 

All who completed the walk are to be congratulated on passing this phase of their award and I would like to say how much I enjoyed their company over the three days of the expedition and how impressed I was with their good humour and forbearance when the going got tough; even when scrubbing their Trangias on return to school!

 

Dr SAH Young

Head of Outdoor Education