Duke of Edinburgh Practice Expedition

On Saturday 11th May, 39 nervous students arrived at Iken Cliff car park near Snape Maltings for the start of the DofE practice weekend. The were carrying huge rucksacks with everything they would need for the entire weekend including first aid kits, gas canisters, stoves, tents and a wooden spoon!

On the first day students walked with staff roughly 10 miles through the picturesque countryside around Friston near Aldeburgh to Wardens Campsite near Leiston. The campsite was next to the sea in a quiet location 2km from the nearest road. The students then pitched their tents and prepared their evening meal using their wooden spoon, so as to not scratch Mr Davenport's nice new teflon coated pans!

The fresh wind did pick up in the evening and most of the students were in their sleeping bags by 10:00pm, just to keep warm. Sunday was a beautiful day with clear blue skies and students walked 10 miles up the coast past Sizewell Nuclear Power Station and Minsmere Nature Reserve. We then walked up through Dunwich Forest where we found the OS Maps were not very accurate and a number of groups got lost through no fault of their own. All the groups reached the pick up point on time and I think the only thing on their minds at that point was a nice hot bath.

A fantastic weekend was had by both students and staff. We are now looking forward to the assessment weekend in four weeks time.

Mr Davenport - DofE Manager