Good night

So the sun has now set on our last full day here: the tide's out, too. The children are now packing ready for the journey home tomorrow, as between breakfast and our activity there isn't time for it in the morning. Our ferry from here is at 12:30 - we will turn the tracker on just before that so that you can follow our progress home.

The disco was great fun: Queen, Oasis and Avril Lavigne all getting airtime in what was my favourite school journey disco (and I've seen a fair few!!).

You can’t beat a bit of Taytay

 

Turn the volume down!!

 Can you tell if they’re having fun??

Quiet times. . .

 After all the excitement we’ve had these last few days, some of the children just want to take in the view - and what a view it is!!

Disco time!!

 Cake over and done with, it’s disco time

Birthday

 Every birthday needs a cake!!

Happy 11th birthday, Alistair!!

Kayaking

 First, we must learn some basic kayaking skills

Our first venture on to the water in a kayak is a relay race, adding one extra team member per leg:

And then we set off for a round-marina trip in twos:

Keel boating

Yesterday, half the group did keelboating while the other half did kayaking: today they will do the other activity.

Keel boating - first we need to get into the boat, and then we are taught about how it operates:

But very soon it's time to go sailing:

Today conditions in the Solent aren't ideal for beginner keelboaters, so the children are heading up the River Medina to sail there

Returning

 Now the children are returning for lunch

If . . .

 If you were to walk about a mile up the old railway line from Cowes to Newport

You would find a pleasant sheltered inlet

And just round the corner from that you'd find the Longlands children dingy sailing

Leaving the centre

 First, the children get into the boats by the slipway:

Then, in groups of 4 or 5 boats, they are towed out of the marina:

And then they head up the river to the wider part where they will sail: