Equipment checks, map reading, waterfalls and lunch. Followed by rain, mountains, snow, sleet and an early exit from Djouce Woods. It was really something different! Big thanks to the Leaders and teachers.
Friday morning, every thing appeared promising. We were off on an adventure. We got on the bus and headed out of Dublin and towards the mountains. First things first when we got off the bus , an equipment inspection, well not in army terms! The YVP leaders were checking to make sure we had enough clothing, equipment, food and water before we started out journey.
Then came the map reading, we were expected to listen, learn and in future navigate to various destinations. This sounded a lot easier than it was! The first part of the walk seemed pretty easy, we thought this adventure would be a breeze!!! Not so easy at times, added to the fact we got lost a few times. An amazing sight was worth the first part of the walk. Powerscout waterfall. This is where we stopped for lunch. W e ate all round us, nothing left for later. We also got a chance to go over and have fun in the waterfall, the day was turning into a wet one already. Check out the photos the leaders took of us.
From Powerscourt on the Irish weather kicked in (that is it started raining!!). The further we walked towards Djouce Mountain the worse the weather got. We were soaked through to the skin. Then low and behold it started snowing. The weather was defiantly against us. The leaders decided to stop for dinner and to see if the weather improved. Dinner was the most welcome food we ever ate. You would never think something out of a can could taste so good! Heaven in a tin!!! Some had seconds.
The leaders and teachers made a very difficult decision that because the weather was so bad and our equipment and clothing soaked, we had to call it a day. We all agreed but were very sad to hear the bus being called. After some time the bus came and we got on with heavy hearts and soaked clothes and gear. The leaders promised another trip to finish the adventure that we had started. Roll on next year and we will finish what we started!!!
Big thanks to the Leaders, teachers and helpers. It was really something different from our every day lives, an rare experience of fun, laughter, adventure, personal challenge and accomplishment.
