Campfire

Wow! What an amazing end to our second day here. We began campfire by singing ‘Get Loose. Get funky.’ It was a good song to get our vocal cords warmed up and our bodies moving. We then moved on to the classic Boom-Chicka-Boom, where we tried a range of different voices chosen by the children, including a dinosaur that kept giggling, a monkey that sounded like a mouse, a squeak which was so high only dogs could hear and then wobbling our lips whilst speaking - which would probably drive dogs crazy!

We shared some riddles with each other and then played a game where you had to work out the pattern. 
Can you work out this pattern:

I like sheep but not cows

I like spoons but not forks

I like caterpillars but not anteaters

I like grass but not hay

Then the course leaders revealed to us they were magical and could read each others’ minds. We chose an item whilst one of them were out of the circle and then they came back to guess what it was and, guess what, they got it correct every time. 
 

After a few games, it was time for our hot chocolate. Some of us had plain hot chocolate whilst others had just marshmallows, some just cream and others cream and marshmallows. We also had vegan cream and marshmallows so everyone could enjoy them if they wanted. 
 

Finally it was time to say goodnight to our tutors and head back to the rooms. We had an amazing time and were all buzzing from the excitement of it (and the sugar from the marshmallows and hot chocolate!). 

Once back in our buildings, it was time to get showered and packed. Some of us were keen to go and chat to our friends in other rooms but the teachers insisted we finished packing first. I’m sure you won’t be surprised to hear that we packed super quickly so that we had more free time before bed time. 

Small mammal trapping: Take Two

We were very lucky that the course leaders had extra resources available for mammal trapping and they led us all to two new areas (which we are hopeful the ducks and crows haven’t yet discovered as a food source!)

Ennion

Some of our favourite moments so far:

• I loved the walk this morning as we got to find out loads of different facts about a Blacksmith, Vicar, Hatter etc
• Willow - I liked walking to East Bergholt and finding out facts how it has changed from Georgian times to now.
• Tilly - I loved walking through the wooded areas and countryside
• Lily F - I found the church interesting as I like History

Bingley

Some of our favourite moments so far: 

• Charlotte - I’ve enjoyed the bit where we went to set the traps up. It was fun to try and find a good spot to put them. 
• Flo - I’ve enjoyed the twilight walk and trying to find all the critters at nighttime. 
• Emma - I enjoyed having the twilight walk and then going back into our room to chill. The obstacle course was fun. 
• Phoebe - I enjoyed setting the mammal traps up but then we got there today and there was nothing there [insert lots of giggling] and they were all empty!
• Layla - I enjoyed twirling around when sleeping! I also enjoyed the sketching and the blindfold thingy. 
• Kitty - I enjoyed doing the blindfold thingy too. I nearly died five times! [Don’t worry parents, the course was perfectly safe]

• Evie E - I have enjoyed setting up the mammal traps, making our own lunches and the walking journey with the sticky tape. 

• Bluebell - I have enjoyed being with my friends.

• Millie - I liked the mammal trapping but it was sad we didn't get anything.

• Poppy - I enjoyed looking at the mammal traps and lunch!

• Jess - I have enjoyed the mammal traps, the twilight walk and the blindfold walk.

Ennion Group - Walk to East Bergholt and John Constable drama and art. 

This morning, after checking our mammal traps, Ennion group walked to East Bergholt.

Before we left, we found out about life in Georgian times. This prepared us for our walk through history in the village.

Trying to stick in the shade as much as possible, we made our way through the countryside. When we arrived, we had a biscuit break and topped up suncream. 
Splitting into groups, we explored the Georgian sites in the village. Mrs Shambrook's group got to explore the blacksmiths!

We also explored the unique church and fascinating bell cage!
Everyone was ready for lunch, so we walked back to Flatford and enjoyed cooling down and refuelling!

After lunch, we completed a treasure trail to find out about John Constable and the mill. Each question earnt us a prop for a role play about his life.

Freeze frame shots of each group added. Great acting, everyone was involved in creating their own scenes, sharing out the roles, using the props, performing and being part of the audience.

Bingley Group - John Constable drama and art and walk to East Bergholt

Our next activity today was finding out about the life of John Constable.

We learnt that he nearly died as a child, but luckily the doctor looked after him. His first school was not very nice and he was frequently beaten. His next school was much nicer, and his headteacher noticed his art talents, but he had to walk 3 miles each way to school! Luckily, his dog kept him company. As he got older, he fell in love with a lady called Maria but they had to meet in secret as their family disagreed with their relationship. Eventually they got married and had their own family and John would move around Flatford sketching all the amazing scenes. 
 

Then it was our turn to become artists. We sat outside the Mill and sketched Willy Lott’s cottage. 
 

Later in the day, it was our turn to walk to East Bergholt and imagine what it would have been like during the Georgian period. We were also lucky enough to visit the blacksmith and take a look at his hammer and anvil, along with a range of other tools. 

Small Mammal Trapping

And the results are in….

*drum roll, please*

We caught…

nothing!  :-(

Those pesky crows, ducks and squirrels had struck again! As we approached the area, we saw some of our traps in the middle of the lawn with the hay spread out and the food gone. 
We still had hope though as some remained in tact and two were even closed. Unfortunately, one was completely empty and the other contained a ninja mouse - only its poo remained and it had escaped!

As neither group caught anything, the course leaders are going to see if we can set some again later in a different area. 

We didn’t let this dampen our spirits though. Instead, we took the opportunity to have a mini photo session and get some pictures in front of Valley Farm (which is blocked off to the general public). The teachers lost count how many cameras we took photos on. We also topped up our suncream and enjoyed a biscuit and drink break. 
 

Now back to the classroom for our next session. 

Good morning! 
 

Firstly, just a quick note to say more photos have been added to yesterday’s page - the wifi went down last night and my 3G signal wouldn’t let me upload anything. 

Anyway, we have had a good start to the morning. We had clearly worn lots of the children out with our activities yesterday as at 7:00AM some children were still asleep and we had to wake them up! Even though they’d been woken up, there were still smiles on all their faces. 

Our first task of the day was making our lunches. Some children chose to make a sandwich, others made pasta pots and some had deconstructed sandwiches, almost like a mini ploughman’s. (I personally wasn’t so sure about the butter, ham, sausage, cucumber and lettuce sandwich, but I guess it all ends up in the same place.) And, as always, we had a supply of crisps, cookies and fruit for the children to take as well. 
 

At 8:00AM it was time for breakfast. We had an amazing spread on offer today: 4 types of cereal, two types of toast with various toppings and a cooked breakfast! The children had a healthy appetite after our busy day yesterday and many helped themselves to 3 courses!