Paddles, Plunges and Plenty of Laughter

Day 3 began with a challenge that many Year 5 children were not prepared for... opening their eyes! Most of the children needed waking up this morning after another action-packed day at the castle. Little did they know, today's adventures would take us far beyond the castle walls…

After yet another delicious breakfast (not forgetting Tea with Tom), the children squeezed into their wet gear and prepared for a day on the River Wye. We hopped onto minibuses and headed down to the water's edge where we were greeted with the best news possible in the scorching heat. Before heading out onto the river, we were allowed a dip in the water to cool off. There may have been a few cheers louder than those heard at the World Cup!

The children split into two groups for their river adventures. One group took to the canoes while the other had an unexpected treat... paddleboarding! Suddenly everyone was kitted out with life jackets, helmets and paddles, looking like a very enthusiastic SOS rescue team.

The progress made throughout the day was incredible. Teamwork was everywhere. Children communicated brilliantly in their boats, helped each other onto paddleboards and showed determination whenever a canoe decided it had its own plans. By the end of the session, many children were confidently standing on paddleboards and most canoes were travelling in a straight line. We stress the word "most".

Once everyone's confidence had grown, it was time for games. Rock, paper, scissors became far more dramatic when the loser had to plunge into the river. Pirate-themed challenges on paddleboards tested balance, bravery and occasionally dignity in my case. The highlight for many however was performing a Mexican wave straight into the River Wye. The weather was hot but Year 5 were even hotter. Metaphorically, of course.

Back at the castle, tired legs and happy faces reflected on an unforgettable day on the water. However, there was no time to relax because a rather unusual evening was waiting for us... a medieval banquet!

The children transformed into lords, ladies, knights and other mysterious medieval characters before entering the banquet hall for a feast fit for royalty. The menu included pottage and fresh bread to start, roasted chicken with vegetables and wedges for the main course and honey cake for dessert. Safe to say nobody left hungry.

The entertainment was just as memorable as the food. A jester kept everyone laughing, knights battled dramatically through the hall and the fool worked tirelessly serving royalty. We also held a special knighting ceremony for those who had impressed during yesterday's fencing and archery sessions. There were jokes, cheers and plenty of unforgettable moments.

To round off a special evening, everyone enjoyed a more relaxed atmosphere with games on the lawn and in the communal areas. As the sun began to set, the children could hardly believe that tomorrow would be their final day at St Briavels. The week has flown by in a blur of adventure, laughter and memories that will last long after the castle gates close behind us.

One final day remains and if the first three days are anything to go by, we're expecting it to be legendary!