‘They’ve got groups y’know!’

‘Groups?  Yeah I know. Duty groups, activity groups. Lunch rotas. All that.’

No.  They’ve got groups.

‘They?’

’Yeah. Them. WhatsApp.’

‘WhatsApp?  What’s that?’

‘It’s this new thing. You can send messages to people. Y’know. Set up groups of like-minded adults.’

‘Never heard of it. Sounds awful.’

‘Well apparently last night you were twenty six minutes late.

‘Eh?’

‘It’s all over the internet!  Buck your ideas up mate.  They were complaining. They’re hanging on your every word.  10.00pm you said.’

’What, you mean they’re all, y’know, in contact with each other?’

’Yeah! Constantly!  The minute you tell someone something all the others know about it!’

‘That’s horrifying!’

‘Modern life mate!  You’d better get used to it.  And you were late.’

‘But I was up at six and now it’s 9.30 at night.  I need to sleep…!’

‘This is Woodlands mate.  There’s no time for any of that.’

And it’s true.  We’re working pretty hard here, but we are all here because we believe passionately in what we’re all doing.  Every single challenge, quirk, moment of doubt and triumph gives us all an enormous sense of pride and satisfaction in a job well done, and well worth it.

We do start early.  A couple of us usually meet for coffee – one from the main house and one from the annexe – around 6.00am.  The site is quiet then, and of course the summer brings out the natural beauty of the site and the surroundings – the Black Mountains nearby, and the more distant Brecon Beacons (or Bannau Brycheiniog as we call them round here).

At this time of the week, the first stirrings are at about 6.15am, although there are dorms that are still sleeping soundly at 7.30ish.  They’re tired!  They’ve been working hard.

Breakfast is at 8.00am, apart from the servers, who pitch up ten minutes early to get their tables ready.  That’s right, your young people are now fully trained in setting tables, serving food, and clearing up afterwards.  They’ve begged us not to tell you this, but…as if by magic…they’ve become quite good at it.  Why not try it at home?

They then head upstairs for what is laughingly called ‘tidying up’, ready for what is hilariously referred to as ‘room inspection’ at 9.00am.  There is always some fairly hasty kicking of stuff under beds at this point, desperate as they are for a full five-star review.  It rarely happens – Mr Coates has very exacting standards.

Whilst all this is going on, we have a quick recap of the previous day with the Woodlands staff.  ‘Did they all eat?’  ‘How did they sleep?’  ‘Anyone feeling homesick?’ ‘Anything you want us to change for today?’  The Woodlands staff really are the most caring, competent and professional people you could wish to meet.  Those of us who have been several times value the fact that it is always the same.  We know what we are getting, and even if it is repetitive for us, it is all new to the youngsters – and the sense of adventure around the place is a constant.

‘Hurry up mate, it’s 9.40pm.  They’re getting ready with the refresh button…’

9.30 or so each morning sees everyone meeting with their activity groups for a briefing on the day.  This includes some Q&A on what to expect, some details of transport and logistics, and the all important kit list.  Everyone has been issued with Woodlands waterproofs, water bottle, rucksack and fleece – the standards – and then are provided with the specialist gear for whatever they are doing that day.

The Victorian house is a treasure trove of hidden rooms and cellars, each one containing state of the art kit – for caving, canoeing, climbing and walking.  What seems like thousands of sets of mini caving suits (plus a couple of XXLs thank goodness), canoe paddles, helmets and buoyancy aids, and the wonderful climbing store – full of complex looking safety equipment, ropes and other kit.

Buses too – six modern minibuses carry your children all over South Wales.  The caves are a good hour away, and canoeing usually takes them to Pencelli or Tallybont.  Half an hour towing a trailer full of canoes.  Climbing is on-site, as is the high ropes course.

So today has seen the full range – two groups caving, two canoeing, and Group 4 living it large here on the Woodlands climbing facilities.

9.50 and you still need Lauren to check it’s vaguely acceptable and won’t kick off a media meltdown…!

OK, quickly.  Tonight saw some proper orienteering – with punch cards – and enabled a full exploration of the whole site, making the most of the end of a wonderful warm day.

Pyjamas, hot chocolate, teeth (maybe), and now…silence…?

Maybe.

Fingers crossed.

10.00pm!

Phew!  Done it.  Enjoy.

See you Friday.