Monday

I'm sorry this posting is late. We were a bit busy last night, then the staff turned the wireless network off for the night, so we had no access until this morning. The good news is that everyone had a lovely evening at Dukes Barn, and they even got some sleep!

The troops left school before 10 and set off for the M1 where they descended on the Leicester Forest Service Station. (Everything should be fixed and working again by Wednesday). They made really good time, so had lunch and a run around in Chatsworth Park, only a mile from Beeley.

We all gathered at Dukes Barn at 2.00. The place really looks its best on a sunny day like today. The building is lovely and welcoming and the surrounding hills are gentle and not too threatening, but we were told that they had snow on them only last week!

It took about an hour and a half for us all to settle in, then we split into three groups for various walks. There's a pretty circuit around the village, which is mostly owned by the Estate, hence all the blue doors. Beeley Brook runs down the side of the street and has a lot of wildflowers, a few trout and a parade of ducks. Radiating from the village is a web of footpaths; along the valleys, or up the hills, it's your choice. We probably won't see them all in our week here.

Dinner is at 6. The main course was an interesting carbohydrate blitz, composed of pizza, chips and tinned spaghetti. Salad was optional, and mostly ignored, which is a shame as it was the best bit! I'll try and find some salad dressing today.

Desert was sponge pudding and custard which was universally approved of. 'Looking forward to full English breakfast!

We had a full evening of fun and games in the courtyard sensory garden, and in the games room upstairs. Everyone had a shower and was in pyjamas by about 9.

Have a look at the pictures on Photobucket.